SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake forward Clint Mathis and defender Eddie Pope have been invited to the U.S. National Team training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., by U.S. Men's National Team manager Bruce Arena in preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mexico on March 27 and Guatemala on March 30.
Mathis and Pope were previously called into U.S. training camp in preparation for the February 9 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago. Pope played a full 90-minute in the 2-0 win over T&T and proved his dominance as a U.S. defender against top international competition. The 22-man training camp squad that will gather in Carson, Calif., is composed entirely of domestic-based players. The European-based players are expected to begin arriving into camp March 20.
The U.S. National Team will play two preparation matches in advance of the qualifiers. The U.S. first hosts Colombia on March 9 in Fullerton, Calif. Kickoff at Titan Stadium is set for 8:30 p.m. MT. The national team then makes its third-ever appearance in Albuquerque, N.M. as they welcome Honduras for a 2:30 p.m. MT kickoff at University Stadium on March 19.
"We are about to enter an important phase of World Cup qualifying, and it requires that we improve in our preparation for the next set of games," said U.S. Manager Bruce Arena. "With nearly a month to prepare, a solid schedule of friendlies, and the introduction of high-altitude training, we feel that we can put ourselves in a good position to get results from the games against Mexico and Guatemala."
More than a month of continuous activity for the national team begins in Carson this Sunday where the team will remain until March 10. From there it is off to Colorado Springs, where the squad will undergo high altitude training until a short flight south to Albuquerque for the March 19 match vs. Honduras. The next day, the U.S. will return to Colorado Springs to complete their preparations before departing for the March 27 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Mexico in Mexico City.
Real Salt Lake season ticket packages for the inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium are now on sale. The RSL 2005 season ticket package features 20 games, including all 16 MLS regular season games and four special bonus games. Real Salt Lake's season ticket pricing consists of a Youth (15 and younger) and an Adult in four price levels. Prices for the 2005 season ticket packages are $200 adult ($180 youth) for the North Goal, $300 adult ($240 youth) for the Corner Flag, $400 ($320 youth) for East Sideline and $500 ($400 youth) for VIP seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the RSL Ticket Office at 515 South 700 East, #2R, SLC, UT 84102, by logging onto www.RealSaltLake.com or by contacting the Real Salt Lake Ticket Office at (866) 9-SOCCER.
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3)
- Jon Busch (Columbus Crew), Joe Cannon (Colorado Rapids), Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Defenders (6)
- Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nat Borchers (Colorado Rapids), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Ritchie Kotschau (Colorado Rapids), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake)
Midfielders (9)
- Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Eddie Gaven (MetroStars), Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Clint Mathis (Real Salt Lake), Brian Mullan (San Jose Earthquakes), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
Forwards (4)
- Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Ed Johnson (F.C. Dallas), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
