CHICAGO (Jan. 27, 2017) – United defender Steve Birnbaum has been selected by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena as part of the final 23-player roster that face Serbia on Jan. 29 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff for the USA’s first match in 2017 is set for 4 PM ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and UniMás. Taylor Kemp, who was called up to USMNT camp for the first time, has been released and will report to D.C. United preseason camp.
Birnbaum, has been a constant figure in the USMNT setup since he made his debut on Jan. 28 against Chile. The California native has made nine appearances for the national team and scored his first international goal against Iceland on Jan. 31 which earned the Red, White and Blue a dramatic late victory at the StubHub Center in Carson, Ca.
The center back impressed new USMNT head coach Bruce Arena at his first January training camp since Arena took over on November 22.
“He’s been good. He’s another player I can include in the group of players that have been impressive,” said Arena about Birnbaum. “I think the previous camps have helped him. He’s been a real steady performer for D.C. United and I think he’s had a really good camp.”
Despite not making Arena’s final 23-player roster, Kemp performed well and made it a difficult decision for Arena who will continue to analyze the 26-year-old defender in the 2017 MLS season.
“We brought in some young guys that I’m more or less looking at for potentially the Gold Cup. I would say that would be the case for Kemp, Rosenberry for example and even Zimmerman,” said Arena about Kemp. “I think they’re all candidates for the Gold Cup. We wanted an opportunity to see them here and we’re going to follow them through their MLS seasons.”
Five days after USA-Serbia, the MNT will make its first visit to Chattanooga, Tenn., on Feb. 3, when they host regional rival Jamaica. Kickoff in front of an expected capacity crowd of 20,000 at Finley Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1 and UniMas (simulcast on UDN). Follow both matches on U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@ussoccer) and Instagram (@ussoccer) accounts.
A total of 32 players gathered in Carson beginning on Jan. 10 for the annual January Camp at the National Training Center. The delegation travels this afternoon to San Diego to begin final preparations.
“I have been extremely pleased by everything we have seen throughout the January Camp,” Arena said. “The performance by the players actually made these decisions pretty difficult, which is a great sign for us moving forward. Even though it’s preseason, they have shown really well. Now after two weeks of training, we are excited to take the next step and face a good team in San Diego.”
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (LA Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Five players were released back to their clubs: Taylor Kemp, Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Rowe, Wil Trapp, and Chris Wondolowski. In addition, LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes suffered a minor contusion in his right knee and will not travel.
