There will be no cuts at US national team camp after all.
Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to bring all 26 players in January camp on this week's road trip to Brazil, U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday. The USMNT coach had previously said the original plan was to whittle the squad down to 23 for the trip – which is considered a "dry run" for this summer's World Cup – but apparently reconsidered and will travel the entire group.
"We have been extremely pleased with the performance of the group in the first week," Klinsmann said in a statement. "The players came in very fit and have done really well in training. Therefore, we believe they have all earned a chance to go to Brazil for these next 12 days."
The USMNT will relocate beginning Monday at the training facilities of six-time Brazilian Série A champions São Paulo FC, which is also their headquarters for this summer's World Cup. In addition to daily sessions, the team will also hold two closed-door scrimmages with O Tricolor before heading back to Southern California on Jan. 25.
"We are excited about getting down to São Paulo and continuing the work," Klinsmann continued. "This is a huge opportunity to get to know our environment for the World Cup."
Camp culminates on Feb. 1 in a friendly against fellow World Cup participants Korea Republic at StubHub Center.
All but one of the 26 players in the squad come from Major League Soccer teams.
US ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg/Norway), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
