U.S. Soccer’s annual January Camp takes on a completely different look this World Cup year with 26 of the 30 players called into camp harboring five caps or less, including 15 uncapped players. Experience will be provided by Gyasi Zardes (37 caps), Juan Agudelo (27), Jordan Morris (24) and Paul Arriola (15).
Interim manager Dave Sarachan will lead the camp, which begins on Jan. 10 and culminates in a friendly versus Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan. 28 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Zardes’ inclusion has raised a few eyebrows with Sarachan’s former role as LA Galaxy assistant certainly contributing to the call up.
The 26-year-old had an abysmal season for Los Angeles, scoring two goals in 24 matches while being given an experimental runout at right back due to his struggles up top. The Galaxy are reportedly open to trading the Homegrown player.
On the other side of the coin, a few standouts of the 2017 MLS season have been given their chance on the national stage. Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen was immense in the club’s playoff run, Ike Opara was the winner of the MLS Defender of the Year Award and the likes of Danny Acosta (RSL), Ian Harkes (DC United), Marlon Hairston (Colorado) and Christian Ramirez (Minnesota) were standout performers on teams that otherwise struggled.
Think Ian Harkes' first career MLS goal was United's best of the year? Like or retweet to vote!#DCU Nominees | https://t.co/zvrk3a7rXU pic.twitter.com/3bvI2FZgjI
— D.C. United (@dcunited) November 1, 2017
“We’re excited about our 2018 January Camp roster. It’s all about the future and opportunity,” said Sarachan. “We clearly feel that we want to have a look at these players that have the chance to be a part of the National Team for a number of years to come. It’s a long journey forward, but this is the first step starting in 2018 for the program and for these players to now get experience at this level.”
Marlon Hairston of the Colorado Rapids. Photo: @Burgundywave | Twitter
According to U.S. Soccer, twenty-one of the 30 players are 24 and under, and the average age of the January Camp squad will be 24 years, 93 days. The road to the 2022 World Cup begins now.
USMNT 2018 January Camp Roster (Club; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC; 0/0), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland; 4/0), Cody Cropper (New England Revolution; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC; 3/0), Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City; 0/0), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; 0/0), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles Football Club; 1/0)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 15/2), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC; 0/0), Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Ian Harkes (D.C. United; 0/0), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 1/0), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; 3/1), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 2/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 37/6)
FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 27/3), Dom Dwyer (Orlando City SC; 4/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 24/5), Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC; 0/0), Rubio Rubin (Unattached; 4/0), CJ Sapong (Philadelphia Union; 3/0)
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