KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Wizards announced today that defender Jimmy Conrad and forward Eddie Johnson have been chosen by interim Men's National Team Coach Bob Bradley to participate in the first training camp of 2007. The session, held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. beginning January 4, culminates with a friendly against Denmark January 20. The team will go on to play rival Mexico February 7 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
"It's always an honor to be chosen to represent your country," Conrad said. "This time it feels different as I will take more responsibility as one of the more senior players."
Conrad's 17 career appearances (caps) represent the seventh most of any player scheduled to attend the training session and second most among defenders. Only Chris Albright of the Los Angeles Galaxy has more appearances with 19.
Twenty-two of 29 players selected by Bradley have less than five caps and ten will be in search of their first game action. Twenty-eight of 29 play in MLS.
"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," Bradley said. "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."
Kansas City Wizards Technical Director Peter Vermes sees Conrad as a perfect player to blend experience with young talent.
"It's no surprise to me that Jimmy is on the roster," Vermes said. "He is a solid defender and a true professional. He will represent the Wizards and the United States very well. The young guys on the team will be able to look up to him on and off the field."
During the World Cup last summer, Conrad appeared in two matches for 129 minutes. He played in nine total games in 2006, starting eight and logging 759 minutes.
He appeared in every match during the Americans' 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup run to notch his first six caps.
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)
Conrad's National Team History:
2006: Appeared in nine of 13 total games, starting eight. Saw action in two games during the World Cup coming on as a sub in the second game against Italy. Played well enough vs. Italy to earn a start and 90 minutes against Ghana in the last MNT game of the year.
2005: Was one of three players to appear in all six Gold Cup matches as The United States captured the championship. He led the team in minutes played. Earned his first appearance and start in World Cup qualifying Sept. 7 at Guatemala. His first career MNT appearance came July 7 vs. Cuba.
