U.S. to host 'Camp Cupcake' friendly against Canada in Houston

U.S. Soccer has announced their January training camp and friendly match, though it's a bit of a departure from the norm, both in timing and venue. The so-called 'Camp Cupcake' will take place just a little bit later than usual, and will take place in Texas instead of Los Angeles.

On January 29, a team of players from MLS and leagues on winter break will take on Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. This is the first time that the national team will play in the new home of the Houston Dynamo, which opened over the summer. The team will also host a training session that will be free and open to the public the day before the match.

If you're not sure what Camp Cupcake is all about, Jurgen Klinsmann spelled it out.

"The match against Canada will come at the end of an important training camp as we get players ready for the World Cup qualifier against Honduras, and also get a good look at some up and coming players in the National Team pool."

The result and tactics from this match won't be important, but the performances from the likes of Mikkel Diskerud, Omar Gonzalez, C.J. Sapong, etc. will be. There were some grumblings that Klinsmann was looking to scrap the winter camp altogether, and it's nice to see that MLS and other slightly off-the-radar players will get a shot to play in front of Klinsmann in a national team shirt in January.