Bradley calls MLS, Scandinavia players to U.S. camp

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

The group will prepare for the U.S.' first match of 2009, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 at the Home Depot Center.

"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, who advanced the team to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a 7-0-1 record through two rounds.

"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."

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.

The annual camp held in January for players in their offseason is a largely domestic-based group that includes 20 players who ply their trade in the U.S. at various Major League Soccer clubs. Troy Perkins, Danny Califf, Clarence Goodson and Charlie Davies are the four players based in Scandinavian clubs who share an offseason with MLS. One player attending the camp, Matt Pickens, is not currently contracted to any club.

Roster

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Midfielders: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)