FRISCO, Texas - U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper among 29 players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. For the 22 year-old Cooper, who had never played on any U.S. Youth National Team, this is his first-ever call up to the Men's National Team. The group will prepare for the USA's first match of 2007, a friendly against Denmark on Jan. 20 at The Home Depot Center. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:50 p.m. (CT) (and will be tape-delayed on Univision). Fans can also follow the game live via ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.
"Obviously I'm honored to be called in to U.S. camp," said Cooper. "I know that there is still a lot of work ahead of me, but I know it's an opportunity. I'm excited and looking forward to going there and working hard, to hopefully do well, and to hopefully be able to play in that game on 20th."
Cooper had an outstanding first season with FC Dallas in 2006, scoring 11 goals and adding four assists in 31 regular season games while playing both forward and both wide midfield positions. His 11 goals placed him in a tie for sixth place in MLS, while his six game-winning goals tied him for the league-lead and FCD was 10-0-1 in games that Cooper scored a goal. A graduate of Dallas Jesuit High School in 2003, Cooper becomes the first Dallas player called in to a U.S. National Team Camp since Eddie Johnson in Jan. 2006 before he was traded to Kansas City.
"I am delighted that Kenny has been called into camp," FC Dallas head coach Steve Morrow said. "It is a great honor for him, his family and for FC Dallas. Kenny has earned this opportunity through his performances this season on the field and his hard work on the training field. This is just the first step and I'm confident he can go on to achieve greater things and realize his true potential."
The largely untested group includes 28 players based in the United States. While 22 players on the roster have five caps or less, ten will be in search of their first-ever appearance with the senior team. Four-time MLS Cup champion D.C. United contributes six players to the roster, the most of the nine MLS teams that are represented, while MLS cup finalists New England Revolution send five players to Carson. FC Nordsjælland defender Heath Pearce is the only European-based player on the roster and is available because the Danish Super League is shut down for the winter break.
"This is a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at a wide variety of domestic-based players as we begin a new World Cup cycle," said Bradley. "Along with some experienced players, we have quite a few players who will be getting their first exposure to the national team. Obviously, the goal for developing our team is to be ready for World Cup qualifying in 2008, and this is where we start. At the same time, we want to be prepared to compete against Denmark, and many of these players have recently had a long break from soccer. With only a short period of time to prepare, we will have to work very hard to get our players both physically and mentally ready to play."
After the Denmark match, the U.S. will host regional rivals Mexico on Feb. 7 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Along with a series of friendlies, the United States will compete in two major championships next 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), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), 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), Bryan Namoff (D.C. United), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjælland), Dasan Robinson (Chicago Fire) Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders (10) -Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Joshua Gros (D.C. United), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Brian Mullan (Houston Dynamo), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
Forwards (6) -Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
