Juan Agudelo and Mikkel Diskerud, fresh off combining on what of the prettier goals in recent United States Men's National Team memory, are among the 24 players called into camp by coach Bob Bradley. The group of players is particularly heavy on MLS players and youngsters, with 20 currently playing in the domestic league and just one being as old as 30.
Juan Agudelo, Mikkel Diskerud, 20 MLS Players Called To USMNT Camp By Bob Bradley
The last time Agudelo and Diskerud were on the field together was during the United States' friendly against South Africa on June 13. In that match, Agudelo scored the winning goal off an assist from Diskerud in the 85th minute.
Joining them in the January camp, dubbed "Camp Cupcake", are 21 other players younger than 30. RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, 31, is the oldest player invited to the camp which preludes the Jan. 22 meeting Chile. Four players, including Diskerud and Agudelo, are 20 or younger. Goalkeeper Dominic Cervi (Scotland), defender Ryan Miller (Sweden) and midfielders Alejandro Bedoya (Sweden) and Diskerud (Norway) are the only foreign-based players to be invited to camp.
The group is also largely inexperienced on the international stage. Just four players have more than two international caps and twelve have never made an appearance with the USMNT.
“The timing is right to assess many of the younger players and to broaden the player pool as we look forward to the next three years,” Bradley said in a USSF release. “These extended camps give the coaching staff an opportunity to work with these players closely, and at the same time expose them to what the environment and expectations are like at the international level. We have a good feel for the veteran players in the pool, several of whom are coming off long seasons, and we certainly expect many of them to be part of the program for the important tournaments this year.”
Complete Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): Dominic Cervi (Celtic), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (9): A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Ryan Miller (Halmstads BK), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Anthony Wallace (Colorado Rapids), Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Eric Alexander (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Sam Cronin (San Jose Earthquakes), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabaek), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
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