MLS-heavy roster represents U.S. MNT January Camp
U.S. Men’s National Team head coach and former MLS Coach of the Year Dave Sarachan will have the luxury of a number of significant MLS ties when the U.S. MNT kicks off its annual January Camp this week. Sarachan called up a 30-player roster that features 28 current league players, including 15 who have come up through MLS academies. The camp starts on Wednesday, Jan. 10 in the buildup to the U.S. MNT’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 9:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 28 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (FS1, UniMás).
With U.S. youth international success growing within each cycle, this camp’s roster is representative of MLS players who have shined on that stage.
Twelve players (11 currently in MLS) have been part of a U.S. roster at a FIFA Youth World Cup, including Columbus Crew SC and former FIFA U-20 teammates Zack Steffen and Wil Trapp, who guided Crew SC to the 2017 MLS Eastern Conference Final. Steffen was a member of both the 2013 and 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup teams, reaching the quarterfinals in the latter tournament. Extending the U.S. U-20 MNT’s success this past year were New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams and Real Salt Lake teammates Danny Acosta, Justen Glad and Brooks Lennon , who were part of the U.S. side that reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
Among the 10 players who are attending their first MNT camp are 2017 MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara of Sporting Kansas City and midfielder Marky Delgado of the 2017 MLS Cup champions Toronto FC. Delgado joins Toronto teammates Alex Bono and 2017 MLS Best XI selection Justin Morrow on the roster after they became the first MLS side to win a treble in one calendar year: league title, the Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship.
Five college seniors added to 2018 adidas MLS Player Combine
Major League Soccer today announced the addition of five college seniors have been invited to join the talented crop of 65 NCAA DI standouts tabbed to participate in the 2018 adidas MLS Player Combine.
The five college seniors joining the Combine are Alex Bumpus (University of Kentucky),Jose Carrera-Garcia (University of California), Xavier Gomez (University of Nebraska Omaha), Josh Morton (University of California) and Thomas Vancaeyezeele (University of Charleston), who will be looking to impress head coaches from all 23 MLS clubs during the Jan. 11-17 event at Orlando City Stadium.
