Gregg Berhalter names first USMNT roster for January Camp

Newly hired United States Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter has officially announced the 27-man roster of players he will invite to the national team’s annual January Camp. The players will report on January 6th to Chula Vista, California, where they will prepare for two matches: a friendly against Panama in Glendale, Arizona on January 27th and another friendly against Costa Rica in San Jose on February 2nd.

Traditionally, January Camp is a MLS-heavy roster since the league is out of season and the friendlies fall outside an official FIFA international window. This makes most European-based players unavailable for selection since most leagues are in the middle of their season and don’t have to release players. Thus it’s a squad made up entirely of MLS players, a mix of a few MLS veterans along with some players who are looking to take this opportunity to make their mark and impress the new boss of the program.

The 27-man roster:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Tyler Miller (Los Angeles Football Club), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC)

DEFENDERS (10): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles Football Club)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Paul Arriola (D.C. United ), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Russell Canouse (D.C. United), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

FORWARDS (3): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers), Christian Ramirez (Los Angeles Footballs Club), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC)

The standouts on this roster include the return of some veterans like Michael Bradley and Greg Garza. Michael Bradley last played on the team in October, captaining the side against Colombia for the first time since October 2017. Garza, who was recently traded after helping Atlanta United to the MLS Cup, becomes FC Cincinnati’s first USMNT representative.

Berhalter also called in a few players that he was familiar with from Columbus Crew SC that have featured on the USMNT regularly the past year. Zack Steffen, Wil Trapp, and Gyasi Zardes were all inclusions that most expected given their knowledge of Berhalter’s tactics and style of play. Newcomers to the team include the Chicago Fire’s Djordje Mihailovic, Real Salt Lake’s Corey Baird, and Portland’s Jeremy Ebobisse.

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