As expected, Jurgen Klinsmann named mostly European-based Americans – including the first call-up of Bayern Munich youth phenom Julian Green – for his 24-man training camp head of the US national team’s March 5 friendly against Ukraine (2 pm ET, ESPN2).
Green, who has both US and German national team eligibility, will join the Americans for the training camp only and is not yet eligible to play for Yanks, said a US Soccer spokesman. The 18-year-old winger, who last year joined the German U-19 national team for two friendlies, would have to file a one-time change of association with FIFA in order to feature in a game for the USMNT, a move that would permanently tie his international allegiance to the US.
Klinsmann explained the process of welcoming Green to train with the USMNT in a Q&A on the U.S. Soccer website: "It’s a big step for him as we try to emotionally connect him to our program.”
The game, moved from its original location of Kharkiv, Ukraine due to violence in the Eastern European country stemming from political protests, will be played at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca, Cyprus.
"This game is a huge opportunity, mainly for our European-based players, for those guys to prove to us that they are eager and hungry to jump on the train to the FIFA World Cup," Klinsmann said in a statement. "With this game being the only chance for these players before our World Cup preparation camp begins, it's even more important they have a good showing."
Another young American receiving his first senior team call-up is Birmingham City midfielder Will Packwood, who is currently on loan with the Bristol Rovers. Packwood has 18 appearances at various US youth levels.
Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey, currently on loan to the EPL’s Fulham, joins the Americans for the first time in 2014 as one of just two MLSers to make the list. The other is Toronto FC’s Michael Bradley, who recently made the move to MLS after playing with AS Roma.
Former New England Revolution attacker Juan Agudelo, who recently joined Utrecht, also received the call and a chance to earn his 18th cap.
Here is the complete US roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Southampton/England), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Tim Howard (Everton/England)
DEFENDERS (7): John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt/Germany), Oguchi Onyewu (Sheffield Wednesday/England), Will Packwood (Birmingham City/England), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers/England)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/France), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg/Norway), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas/Turkey), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht/Belgium), Brek Shea (Barnsley/England), Danny Williams (Reading/England)
FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (Utrecht/Netherlands), Jozy Altidore (Sunderland/England), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julian Green (Bayern Munich/Germany), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands)
