United defenders Steve Birnbaum and Taylor Kemp, along with goalkeeper Bill Hamid, have been named to Bruce Arena's 32-man roster for the United States Men's National Team annual January camp. The three Black-and-Red players are part of an entirely MLS-based roster spanning 15 teams. Since the camp does not fall during a recognized FIFA international window, only players who are not in season are available for selection. Players report to the National Training Center in Carson, Calif., January 10.
Kemp, 26, receives his first USMNT roster call-up following his best season in the nation’s capital. The left back reached 30 starts for the first time in his career, scored two goals and tied a career-high with six assists. He also tied a franchise record for assists in a game on Sept. 24, with three. Kemp scored his first goal of the year against Philadelphia on Aug. 6.
Birnbaum enters camp as an established member, having completed quite the year on the international front in 2016. The California native made his international debut for the U.S. Men’s National Team on Jan. 28 before scoring his first international goal several days later on Jan. 31 (a game-winner against Iceland). Birnbaum was also named to Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for the Copa America Centenario over the summer and World Cup Qualifiers in March and September. The center back, who United re-signed in November, set career highs in appearances, starts, minutes, goals, assists and shots for the Black-and-Red and was named to his first MLS All-Star Game. He is one of 13 players who participated in last year's January camp.
Hamid, 26, had another solid year in goal for the Black-and-Red in 2016 after dealing with an injury that kept him out of last year's national camp. United's first Homegrown Player finished the season with a 1.25 goals against average, five shutouts and 68 saves. Hamid is the club's all-time leader in saves, shutouts and wins for a goalkeeper. The Annandale, Va., native was also named to the USMNT roster for their international friendly against New Zealand at RFK Stadium last October.
In preparation for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, the U.S. begin the 2017 campaign with a friendly against Serbia on Jan. 29 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Kickoff for Bruce Arena’s first match back in charge of the U.S. MNT is set for 4 PM ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and UniMas.
Five days later, the MNT will make the first visit to Chattanooga, Tenn., on Feb. 3 when they host regional rival Jamaica. Kickoff at Finley Stadium is set for 7 PM ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1 and UniMas (simulcast on UDN).
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (5): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (10): DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Taylor Kemp (D.C. United), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (12): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)
FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
