United defenders Taylor Kemp and Steve Birnbaum have reported to Carson, Calif., for the U.S. Men's National Team annual January camp. The two Black-and-Red players are part of the 31-man roster comprised totally of MLS-based players representing fifteen teams across the country.
For Kemp, the call-up represents his first foray with the USMNT, while Birnbaum is becoming more of an established veteran on the roster, having played in multiple World Cup Qualifiers, friendlies and the Copa America tournament last summer.
Ahead of the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 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).
In March, qualifying gets back under way, with a home match against Honduras on March 24 and an away game in Panama four days later.
