USMNT will take young squad to Qatar for its January training camp
The U.S. men’s national team is going young for its upcoming training camp in Qatar.
Teenagers Julian Araujo, Jesus Ferreira and Ulysses Llanez are among a dozen uncapped players who join established veterans such as Paul Arriola, Jordan Morris and Gyasi Zardes on the 25-man roster named Monday by coach Gregg Berhalter, who will work with the mostly MLS-based squad from Jan. 5-25 in Doha, the capital of the tiny nation that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Chelsea attacker Christian Pulisic and the rest of Berhalter’s European-based regulars were not available for selection because their clubs are in the middle of their seasons. Fellow vets Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan were also omitted. Here’s the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Sean Johnson, New York City FC; Bill Hamid, D.C. United; JT Marcinkowski, San Jose Earthquakes; Matt Turner, New England Revolution
Defenders: Julian Araujo, LA Galaxy; Reggie Cannon, FC Dallas; Chase Gasper, Minnesota United; Justen Glad, Real Salt Lake; Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls; Mark McKenzie, Philadelphia Union; Sam Vines, Colorado Rapids; Walker Zimmerman (Los Angles FC)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Philadelphia Union; Christian Cappis, Hobro (Denmark); Bryang Kayo, Unattached; Sebastian Lletget, LA Galaxy; Paxton Pomykal, FC Dallas; Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders; Jackson Yueill, San Jose Earthquakes
Forwards: Paul Arriola, D.C. United; Jesus Ferreira, FC Dallas; Jonathan Lewis, Colorado Rapids; Ulysses Llanez, Wolfsburg (Germany); Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders; Gyasi Zardes, Columbus Crew
Araujo, Llanez, McKenzie and Pomykal were members of the U.S. under-20 side that reached the quarterfinals of last summer’s 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, while Kayo played at the U-17 World Cup this fall. Ferreira, the son of former Colombian international and 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira, scored eight goals in 33 games for FCD last season. The 19-year-old gained his U.S. citizenship earlier this month.
Those six are among a whopping 14 players on this senior roster who are also eligible for the U.S. U-23 team that in March will attempt to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. On the flip side, the 28-year-old Zardes — who scored twice in November’s must-win CONCACAF Nations League match against Canada — is the most experienced member, with 55 caps followed by Morris (39) and Arriola (32).
“There are a number of players getting their first exposure to the senior national team who will be provided the platform to make a positive impression,” Berhalter said in a press release.
The U.S. will play closed-door scrimmages against unnamed European club sides — several of which are training in the area during their leagues’ winter breaks — while in Doha before traveling to Los Angeles for a international friendly match Feb. 1 against regional rival Costa Rica.
The Americans didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but spent part of their 2014 January camp in Brazil as preparation for the that year’s event. The U.S. also traveled to South Africa and Germany before the 2010 and 2006 World Cups, respectively.
The full-strength U.S. side will convene in March ahead of an exhibition at the three-time World Cup finalist Netherlands.
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