SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes stars Clarence Goodson and Chris Wondolowski were called to United States Men’s National Team duty by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Friday in the Americans’ first 2014 FIFA World Cup preparation camp of the year.
The duo reports to Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 6 and will remain with the U.S. through their friendly against South Korea on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the StubHub Center (2 p.m. PT / ESPN2, UniMas). The Americans will train in Southern California from Jan. 7-12 before departing for Brazil for two weeks in Sao Paolo. They will return stateside on Jan. 26 ahead of their friendly against South Korea.
“We are all very excited for this camp because, as a team, it will give us our first taste of Brazil,” said Klinsmann. “This is a very important camp in our preparations for the World Cup. It’s important for the players to continue developing their bond and sense of urgency for the tournament. It’s important for us to see how they do in Brazil, how the new players fit with the group and to make sure everyone is focused on reaching the highest level for next summer.”
Goodson, 31, has 44 caps with the U.S. His most recent appearance came in a 3-2 win against Panama at Estadio Rommel in Panama City on Oct. 15, 2013. Goodson played 90 minutes at center back, helping the Americans win their final game of CONCACAF’s 2014 World Cup Qualifying. After signing with the Earthquakes in June of 2013, Goodson made nine starts for a backline that yielded just two goals during the final two months of the season.
Wondolowski, 30, has 17 caps with the U.S. and six goals, each of which came during a month-long stretch in July. He took home the CONCACAF Gold Cup’s Golden Boot after tying Landon Donovan and Panama’s Gabriel Torres for the tournament lead in goals with five. The potent striker led San Jose with 11 markers in 2013, eight of which were game-winners.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
Defenders (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC).
Midfielders (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).
