Houston Dynamo have been well represented in this month's U.S. national team training camp, the first since the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the first under interim head coach Bob Bradley.
The Orange originally had four players called in, but forward Brian Ching - the MVP of MLS Cup 2006 - couldn't make it to camp, leaving Ricardo Clark, Brian Mullan and Eddie Robinson to represent the Bayou City club. Mullan has left camp with severe tendonitis, meaning Clark and Robinson are left to carry Houston's banner.
Both could see time on Saturday against Denmark in the side's first game in six months. The teams meet at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 5 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will air the game live.
For Clark, the match against Denmark comes after an arduous two-week camp.
"It's been a long ride," Clark said. "We've been preparing day in and day out for this game, and hope to give it our all against Denmark. For me, like for all of us here, there is no higher honor than playing for the U.S. We are all looking forward to kick off 2007 with a win."
If Robinson makes it onto the field against the Danes on Saturday, it will be his first ever international appearance. After years of toiling, Robinson has come into his own the past two years, earning an All-Star nod this past season. The North Carolina native is enjoying the spoils.
"Being on the national team is a great honor," Robinson said. "I've had a lot of fun at camp, which is not to say it has not been difficult. The coaches do a good job of keeping the team together, given the fact that we've spent very little time together. They also do a great job of making sure that they get everything they can out of us, without reaching the point of injury or burnout."
Clark has been in this position once before, having made a substitute appearance against Panama late in the most recent World Cup qualifying cycle, after the U.S. had already locked up a spot in Germany. One of the most highly touted young central midfielders in the league, the Furman University product is looking to make a name for himself on the international scene.
"I would say that I feel more anxious than nervous," Clark said. "I felt nervous the first time I had this opportunity, but now it's just a desire to go out, perform, and show that there is a good reason why (Bradley) wanted us to be here."
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
