COMMERCE CITY, Colo. ā The Chicago Firemay be excluded from contention, but Dax McCarty still has World Cup aspirations.
The Fire midfielder was one of eight called up to participate in a two-week training camp at Dickās Sporting Goods Park as the US national team preps for Saturday's friendly against Venezuela (10 pm ET | FS1, Univision, UDN in US) and CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches vs. Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico.
āThe World Cup is next year, but we have to qualify first and I think every player here wants to qualify,ā McCarty told MLSsoccer.com. āBut for me, in terms of my chances with the national team, Iām 30 years old, so I feel like Iām in the prime of my career right now and Iām playing some of the best soccer that Iāve played.ā
Heās only earned six caps since debuting in 2009. But McCartyās international career has experienced an uptick since Bruce Arena was given the USMNT reins for the second time last year.
āObviously, itās been a little while since Iāve been involved with the national team,ā McCarty said. āIāve been in and out. I was in with Bob Bradley towards the end of his tenure and was called in once under Jurgen [Klinsmann]. Now with Bruce coming in, heās given me a couple of chances. I look at this as a big opportunity.ā
This latest international call-up marks the second for McCarty in 2017 following his participation in the USMNTās January camp.
āDax is a good, experienced player,ā Arena told reporters this week. āHeās had a good start with Chicago and heās a player that Iāve followed for years, and a player who I think is a really good player.ā
It remains to be seen where McCarty will slot in, given the current depth and competition within the US midfield. Heās been recognized one of the catalysts on a Fire team that has vaulted itself into second place in the MLS Eastern Conference. But on the international level, heās not taking anything for granted.
āItās been an honor to be within the group,ā he said. āIām excited to continue to challenge to get playing time. If youāre not a so-called starter, your job is to push those guys as hard as you can and push them in training. As far as where I stand, Iām here to help the team in any way I can, whether thatās starting games, coming off the bench, or just training well and being here for moral support.ā
Chicago have earned four straight wins in MLS play, and that good run of form ā combined with some time spent around teammate and World Cup veteran Bastian Schweinsteiger ā has left McCarty with confidence heading into this camp.
ā[Schweinsteiger] brings an element of composure to the midfield that not many guys in this league are capable of,ā McCarty explained. āFor me, playing with a guy like that, it gives me confidence to want to continue to play well. Heās made me a better player.ā
As USMNT camp rolls on, he remains focused on earning the attention and confidence of Arena and his coaching staff.
āEvery opportunity is one to try and make a good impression,ā McCarty said. āIām not going to try to predict the future and see whatās going to happen, Iām just trying to enjoy the moment.ā