Washington, D.C. (January 3, 2008) - D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells is among 26 players named to the U.S. Men's National team training camp roster that will begin workouts today at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The group will prepare for the USA's first match of 2008, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 19 at The Home Depot Center. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
After the Sweden match, the U.S. will host regional rivals Mexico on Feb. 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. More than 30,000 tickets have been sold for the match that will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision. Along with a series of friendlies, the United States will begin the attempt to qualify for their sixth-consecutive World Cup finals when they take on the winner of the first round series between Barbados and Dominica. The U.S. will host their first qualifier between June 11-14, with the second leg to be played between June 18-21 on the road.
Wells joined D.C. United in a trade last month after capturing two straight MLS Cups as a member of the Houston Dynamo. The 26-year old did not see any time between the pipes in 2006, but made four appearances (three starts) during this past season's campaign, earning two shutouts, a goals-against average of 0.32 and compiling a 2-0-1 record. Prior to his time in Houston, the Costa Mesa, CA native spent two seasons with the MetroStars (now known as the New York Red Bulls). While there, he saw time in 19 games (all starts), collected four shutouts and put together a record of 6-6-4. His stay with the MetroStars was highlighted by a 14-save effort in a 0-0 draw with United, June 12, 2005. Wells has one cap for the U.S. Men's National Team, making his international debut as a second half substitute in a 4-0 win over Guatemala on February 19, 2006.
United's head athletic trainer Brian Goodstein has also been called to national duty and will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team under head coach Peter Nowak. The former United boss has called 24 players into a two-week training camp from January 6-20 at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. in preparation for the final round of the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Under-23 Championship to be held from March 11-23, 2008, in Los Angeles, Tampa and Nashville. The U.S. will play their three games of the group stage in Tampa against Cuba on March 11, Panama on March 13 and Honduras on March 15. The eight-team tournament will send its two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
With United, Goodstein oversees cover all aspects of medical care, rehabilitation and sports performance for the club. He also currently serves as vice president of PSATS (Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers Society), is a member of the MLS Advisory Committee, and serves on the editorial board for Training and Conditioning Magazine. Goodstein was honored as the MLS Trainer of the Year in 2004 and 2007.
