FRISCO, Texas - U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has again named FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper to the training camp roster that will begin workouts on Jan. 25 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. This is the second camp of 2007 that Cooper has been called in to, having first joined the National Team on Jan. 4 for a two-week camp that culminated with a 3-1 win over Denmark on Jan. 20. The 22-year old Dallas native made his first national team appearance in that game, entering in the 63rd minute and scoring his first goal in a National Team uniform in the 80th minute. Cooper became the 43rd player to score a goal in his debut with the national team.
The group of players is preparing for the United States' showdown with regional rival Mexico on Feb. 7 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz (live on ESPN2 and Univision beginning at 8 p.m. CT, with kickoff slated for 8:25 p.m. CT.) The match on Feb. 7 will mark the 52nd meeting between the USA and Mexico. The U.S. has dominated the series of late, collecting a 6-0-1 home record against Mexico since 2000. During that span, the USA has netted 11 goals, while the Mexicans have failed to score a single goal on American soil in this decade. In the team's last meeting, the U.S. used a 2-0 victory on Sept. 3, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio to become the first team in CONCACAF to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. has a lifetime record of 12-29-10 against Mexico in a series that dates to 1934, but the U.S. has a 10-6-8 advantage in home matches since 1957. Since the rivalry between these two teams began in earnest in 1990, the sides have played 24 times, with the U.S. holding a 10-7-7 advantage. In the teams' most significant matchup, the United States defeated Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, advancing the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time in 72 years.
After a game against Ecuador on March 25, the National Team will return to Frisco on March 28 when it takes on Guatemala at Pizza Hut Park. Tickets for this game against are on sale now at fcdallas.net, ussoccer.com, all Dallas-Ft. Worth area Ticketmaster outlets (including Macy's, Fiesta Stores, and FYE) and by phone at 214-373-8000. Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets by calling the FC Dallas office at 888-FCD-GOAL (888-323-4265). Ticket prices range from $18 for Endline seats to $125 for Field Side seats.
Following the game at Pizza Hut Park, the United States will have some time off before competing in two major championships over the summer. The three-time champions will first try to defend their title against 11 other teams at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, scheduled from June 6-24 in several cities across the United States. Just a few days later, the U.S. will participate in the 2007 Copa America, the regional championship of South America. The 12-team tournament will run from June 26 to July 15 in nine cities across Venezuela. For the United States, the appearance will mark their third entrance into CONMEBOL's signature event.
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (4) - Joe Cannon (Los Angeles Galaxy), Matt Pickens (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Matt Reis (New England Revolution)
Defenders (9) - Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Todd Dunivant (New York Red Bulls), Bryan Namoff (D.C. United), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Dasan Robinson (Chicago Fire) Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders (7) -Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Joshua Gros (D.C. United), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
Forwards (6) -Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards) Nate Jaqua (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
