U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to bring all 26 players called into the January camp on the trip to Brazil, where the team will train for 12 days as part of a “dry run” for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Klinsmann had considered trimming the roster to 23 players, but after an excellent week of training determined that the full group would travel.
“We have been extremely pleased with the performance of the group in the first week,” said Klinsmann. “The players came in very fit and have done really well in training. Therefore, we believe they have all earned a chance to go to Brazil for these next 12 days. We are excited about getting down to Sao Paulo and continuing the work. This is a huge opportunity to get to know our environment for the World Cup.”
The team will be based at the training site of Sao Paulo FC, one of the premier facilities in Brazil and the host of the U.S. base camp this summer. In addition to daily sessions, the U.S. will hold two closed-door scrimmages during the visit.
The camp culminates with a friendly against the Korea Republic on Feb. 1 in Carson, Calif. Kickoff at StubHub Center is set for 4 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, WatchESPN and UniMas. Fans can also follow the match live on Twitter @ussoccer.
More than 18,000 tickets have been sold for the USA’s first game in the New Year, which is one of only two games currently scheduled before the naming of the World Cup roster in May. Fans can purchase tickets through ussoccer.com, by calling 1-888-929-7849, and at the StubHub Center ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Groups of 20 or more can obtain an order form at ussoccer.com or call 312-528-1290. Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available exclusively through ussoccer.com.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – Detailed Roster
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)
