Bradley names 25 to US soccer training camp roster

The Associated Press

Published December 30, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.
Updated December 30, 2008 at 9:04 p.m.

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CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. men's soccer coach Bob Bradley has named 25 players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts Jan. 4 at the team's national training center in Carson, Calif.

The group will begin preparing for its first game of 2009, an exhibition against Sweden on Jan. 24 at The Home Depot Center in Carson.

"This is the beginning of a big year for the national team, and it is important that we get started off heading in the right direction," said Bradley. "This is another great opportunity to reinforce the principles of how this team operates both on and off the field, as well as getting players ready for the match against Sweden and the first World Cup qualifier this year against Mexico in February."

The annual camp features 20 players from professional teams in the United States. MLS teams are well represented, with 10 of 15 clubs contributing players to the Carson camp, including goalie Jon Busch (Chicago), forward Brian Ching (Houston) and defenders Chad Marshall (Columbus) and Sean Franklin (Los Angeles).

The national team advanced to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with a 7-0-1 record through two rounds.

In addition to the ten matches in the final round of qualifying — beginning Feb. 11 against Mexico — the U.S. will compete in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, having been drawn into Group B along with five-time World Cup winners Brazil, current world champion Italy, and Egypt.

Just days after the tournament, the U.S. will begin its defense of the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

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