The USMNT’s first January camp in Bruce Arena’s second stint unsurprisingly included multiple players from the defending MLS Cup Champs. Jordan Morris, Chad Marshall, Brad Evans, and Stefan Frei are all reporting to Carson, California, for training. Only a month after winning the MLS Cup, the group will try to show their former rival coach that they deserve call-ups for the Hex — CONCACAF’s final round of World Cup qualifying.
As expected, the 32-player invitee list is only MLS players, with most leagues in full swing for the month. Most of the invites were provided to young players looking to win their way onto the squad for Russia, like Keegan Rosenberry, Gyasi Zardes, and Jordan Morris. A handful of veterans that likely will not be around were also brought in, like DaMarcus Beasley.
While Seattle’s Chad Marshall gets a deserved look and Stefan Frei gets to test out his American eligibility, Cristian Roldan — who Arena raved about last month — was left home. While he isn’t decisively better than anyone called up, one has to think he deserved a look.
The second important Sounders-related note is that the rumor of Clint Dempsey reporting to camp is not true. In a statement provided to SI.com, U.S. Soccer said, "Bruce opened the door to Clint to have him in, if it made sense. At this stage Clint is still progressing and everyone is taking a measured approach.” What this means for Dempsey’s health and status for 2017 is unknown, but it definitely isn’t the most positive sign.
January Camp runs from the 10th until February 3rd, culminating with friendlies on January 29 and February 3 against Serbia and Jamaica.
Full 32-Player Roster: USMNT January Camp
GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls).
DEFENDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (free agent), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Taylor Kemp (D.C. United), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew).
FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (Los Angeles Galaxy)