SECAUCUS, N.J. - MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven, defender Eddie Pope and goalkeeper Jonny Walker have been called up to the U.S. national team by U.S. men's national team manager Bruce Arena for their September 4 World Cup Qualifier against El Salvador in Foxborough, Mass., at 4 p.m. ET, and their September 8 World Cup Qualifier in Panama at 9 p.m. ET. The U.S. tied Jamaica 1-1, in their first game of CONCACAF Group 1 FIFA 2006 World Cup Qualifying on August 18 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Gaven earned his first cap with the U.S. national team on July 11 in an international friendly against Poland in Chicago. In doing so, he became the fourth youngest (17 years, 260 days old) player of all-time to appear for the full national team. Gaven has appeared in 22 games for the MetroStars in his sophomore campaign with the club. The Hamilton, N.J., native has tallied five goals, and six assists on the season. He was also named a starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game.
While Gaven is a newer face on the U.S. national team, Pope has earned 63 caps for his country, wearing the captain's armband on several occasions during international matches this year. The defender last appeared in the U.S.'s 1-1 draw with Jamaica on August 18. Although he has missed time with the MetroStars due to international duty, Pope has appeared in 17 of the team's 23 games and has led the club to their Eastern Conference-leading record of 9-8-6. He has scored six goals for his national team.
Walker, 29, earned his first three caps for the senior team earlier this year, posting a 1-0-2 record. After opening with a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Jan. 18 at The Home Depot Center, Walker became the fourth U.S. goalkeeper in history to record a shutout in their first appearance against Mexico with the 1-0 blanking of "El Tri" on April 28 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tex. Walker was most recently called up to the U.S. national side for the U.S.'s 1-1 draw with Jamaica on August 18, however he did not see any action.
The U.S. opened the semifinal round of FIFA 2006 World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Aug. 18 in Kingston. In the other match in Group 1, El Salvador claimed a 2-1 victory against Panama to take first place in the group. The top two teams in the group will advance to the final round of qualifying that begins next year. The four-team group concludes for the U.S. with a road game on Oct. 9 in El Salvador and then consecutive home games on Oct. 13 against Panama in Washington, D.C., and Nov. 17 against Jamaica in Columbus, Ohio.
MetroStars forward Cornell Glen has been called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis on September 4 and against Mexico on September 8. The 22-year-old Glen has earned 15 caps, scoring one goal for the "Soca Warriors," since making his first appearance with the full team on November 15, 2002, in a 2-0 win over St. Kitts and Nevis in a 2003 Gold Cup Qualifier.
MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara will also be away from the MetroStars over the next week and a half, as he will captain the Honduran national team in their World Cup Qualifying matches against Canada on September 4 and Guatemala on September 8. Guevara has now amassed 84 caps for Honduras. Most recently he tallied a goal in their 5-2 win over Costa Rica in their first World Cup Qualifier on August 18.
Finally, Metros defender Craig Ziadie rounds out the players who are heading for international duty this week as he has been called to the Jamaican national team for their World Cup Qualifiers on September 4 against Panama and then against El Salvador on September 8. Ziadie has earned 23 caps for the Reggae Boyz since making his international debut on November 20, 2002, vs. Japan in a 1-1 tie in Tokyo.
