Fansided

Arena calls in first USMNT roster for January Camp

By Michael Harshbarger

Jul 18, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Fans unfurl a giant US flag before a game between the United States and the Cuba in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match at M&T Bank Stadium. The United States won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Fans unfurl a giant US flag before a game between the United States and the Cuba in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match at M&T Bank Stadium. The United States won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bruce Arena called in 32 players to take part in the annual USMNT January Camp.

Bruce Arena called in his first roster since being reinstated as the USMNT head coach ahead of the yearly January Camp. As expected, all 32 players ply their trade in MLS. European clubs aren’t required to release players for the camp because it’s not a recognized FIFA international window.

The players will arrive in Carson, CA on Jan. 10. The camp will culminate with two friendlies: Jan. 29 against Serbia in San Diego (4 p.m. ET), and Feb. 3 against Jamaica in Chattanooga, TN (7 p.m. ET).

Arena had promised to bring in fresh faces after taking over. This roster indicates he intends to stick to his word. The most interesting selections may be MLS champion goalkeeper Stephen Frei, a native of Switzerland, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Kekuta Manneh, a native of Gambia, who are both in the process of gaining eligibility to represent the United States. Also interesting: Sporting KC’s Graham Zusi has been called in as a defender.

Many USMNT fans will be happy to see Benny Feilhaber and Darlington Nagbe back in the fold after both fell out of favor with Jurgen Klinsmann. After securing the MLS Cup last month, the Seattle Sounders had the highest number of inclusions as Frei is joined by Chad Marshall, Brad Evans and MLS Rookie of the Year Jordan Morris.

See the full roster below, via ussoccer.com:

GOALKEEPERS (5): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)

DEFENDERS (10): DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), 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 (12): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

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Many were pleased when Arena took over Klinsmann as USMNT manager, but the road ahead will not be easy. After a disastrous start to the final round of World Cup qualifying, the US find themselves in last place in the hexagonal.

This camp is Arena’s first tangible action towards correcting his team’s current position. He must act swiftly to institute his style of play and allow a core group of players to gel. His first World Cup qualifier as head coach is in March.

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