Altidore and Donovan headline U.S. national team camp roster

Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore and Brad Guzan headline the 26-man roster Bob Bradley selected for the U.S. national team's January camp.

The squad will begin training on January 3 at Home Depot Center in Carson, California ahead of the national team's first friendly, on Jan. 19 against Sweden.

Here is the roster:

GOALKEEPERS – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Matt Pickens (Chicago Fire), Zach Wells (D.C. United)
DEFENDERS  – Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Todd Dunivant (Toronto FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS – Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas Cit y Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus)

If you are wondering where most of the big names are, keep in mind that European-based players are still in their seasons (except for Scandanavian leagues). I will offer my take on the roster shortly. Let me know what you think of Bradley's selections in the comments section below.

Comments

[kpugs]

Not exactly the A (or B) team is it?

But it's what I'd expect to see in January, and I never have problems with noobs getting national team experience.

[Jon G]

--------Altidore--Rolfe----------
-------Donovan-Kljestan-
-----------Edu---Clark

Dunivant--Parkhurst--Conrad--Wynne

----------------Guzan--------------

Pardon the ugliness of the post, but here's the starting 11 (not really the formation) I'd love Bradley to put out.

[Johnny]

It's possible that some of the best names on this list like Guzan, Parkhurst, Clark, Edu, and Altidore may be on their way to a European side by the time this camp begins or shortly after. I would say chances are good that at least 2 out of the five will be going.

My predicition is that Clark and Guzan will be transfered. My hope is that they all will be transfered

Guzan-Arsenal
Clark-Fulham
Parkhurst-Reading
Edu- Aston Villa
Altidore-Man City

(not one of the best names on the list but he probably will transfer before any of the other names) Johnson- Reading

As you can tell I have already started to get ready for the ball to drop. Hey you can't blame a guy for dreaming.

P.S.
Bradley-Spurs

[dakidknows]

I’m familiar with some of these players, I do not think this is the best U.S. national team to be called up, but efficient nonetheless, and the U.S. will beat Switzerland.

[Charlie N.]

dakid-Are they playing 3 times?

[ben]

Not bad, certainly a b (or even c) team, but there definitely are some names there that are nice to see. However, how on earth do pickens, wells, and hesmer all get called before rimando??? I still say he was keeper of the year in MLS last year...

[eric]

I love the battle for the midfield pecking order between Clark, Beckerman, Edu, and Kljestan. I almost wish Feilhaber was in this camp, but at least he's getting reserve minutes now at Derby.

I can't remember if Mastroeni is injured or not, but I hope that he isn't invited because they're looking for a successor, not because he's still a number one choice.

Is the game roster coming exclusively out of this group, or are guys going to be called in just days before the game?

[eric]

PS - When are we naturalizing and capping Emilio?

[Ted]

Some of the notable absentees (Alvarez, Charlie Davies, Seitz) will be in U-23 camp from January 6-20.

Maybe a Rolfe/Altidore partnership will finally allow Rolfe to show his stuff a little.

Jeremiah White is a surprise. He has featured alot for club, but it's a second division Danish club
(though they have secured promotion to the Superliga to my knowledge).

They list him as a forward here but if he sees any action it will be as an outside midfielder. For those not familiar with White he has some jets on him.

Corrales is a bit of a surprise too, but Bradley probably wants to get a look at him to see if he has anything left, since it's been rumored he will back in the states soon.

I think this is what we will see.

Johnson
Mapp Donovan Kljestan
Edu Clark
Dunivant Conrad Parkhurst Wynne
Guzan

Thats not what I would like to see, but it's probably what Bradley will go with. Beckerman, Twellman, Corrales, Robinson and Davis are options as well.

As far as Altidore, I think he will play 45 minutes, but I don't think Bradley will put him out from the start.

[jb]

What's the scoop on Bornstein not getting called up? Injury, going to Europe or intentional ommission?

[Mike]

I feel pretty confident in this roster against Switzerland. I think Bradley is doing the right thing by keeping a good mix of personnel in there, but there are a few things that stand out:

1. Rico Clark. It is about time he is back. What happened against Ruiz is done and his time has been served, so I am glad no one is holding it against him.

2. Guzan is money and a solid #2 behind Howard. He needs to be in Europe soon.

3. No Jose Burciaga Jr.? What does he have to do to get a call up?

4. I wonder what Donovan does during this long off-season. You know, the one where all of the other USMNT regs are playing in Europe. Does it eat at him, even a little?!?

[Dave]

What about the guys in leagues that are on winter break?

[mike]

What about Kenny Cooper? I would much rather find out if he is healthy and can add something to the squad than seeing Twellman and Johnson (not a knock on either player, I just would rather see Bradley use this type of camp to experiment).

[brentmcd]

great to see rico get the call up and hopefully back into action. so tired of the eddie johnson experiment. homeboy needs to show something asap!

[zeusbrowne]

Mike,

Burciaga needs to show better form than he had at the end of last season. He had a really off year in 2007 compared to 06. He needs to show 2007 was the aberration before he gets the call

[Hincha Tim]

Kind of interesting when you break down where in the MLS the players came from for the two teams, since it would be a good indicator of the best domestically based players:
Houston 5
Chicago 4
Real Salt Lake 3
Dallas 3
Toronto 3
New England 3
Galaxy 2
Columbus 2
Chivas 2
KC 2
DC United 1
San Jose 1
NYRB 1

[chicago millonario]

Twellman?!?! Why God, why?!?!?!?!

[jb]

Colorado 0
Yes, the Rapids are really bad.

[luis]

i would personally like to see arturo alvares.

--------altidore-johnson---------

mapp----donovan---Kljestan---edu----

dunivant--Califf--conrad--Wynne--

------------Guzan-----------------

[luis]

i would personally like to see arturo alvares.

--------altidore-johnson---------

mapp----donovan---Kljestan---edu----

dunivant--Califf--conrad--Wynne--

------------Guzan-----------------

[dc]

DC United is the Arsenal of the MLS.

[PS]

Switzerland?!? We're playing Sweden in January.

[Joe]

Anyone know if Ching is still injured? Is he still on the USMNT radar, or has his time passed? I'd still rather see Ching in there than EJ or Twellman.

[Phillip]

Luis Bueno is reporting that Bornstein had ankle surgery and won't be available for either the Sweden or Mexico game.

[gel65]

can somebody tell me why chris albright is not on this roster?