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Omar Gonzalez and George John pull out of January USA camp
The hulking central defensive duo withdrew to deal with "club-related matters." Their replacements are Seattle Sounders FC pair Jeff Parke and Brad Evans.
Jan 4, 2012 9:13:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Omar González_Los Angeles Galaxy_MLS
Both Omar Gonzalez and George John have withdrawn from the upcoming January U.S. national team camp. A press release issued by U.S. Soccer cited "club-related matters," with loans or transfers away from Major League Soccer probable.
Gonzalez won the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year award and, at 23, anchored the LA Galaxy's run to the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup. The Galaxy confirmed via Twitter that he is pursuing an offseason loan opportunity. John, 24, helped lead FC Dallas to the 2010 MLS Cup final and was close to joining Blackburn Rovers last summer.
Neither is tied to the United States internationally. Gonzalez, despite two U.S. caps, qualifies to play for Mexico as a dual citizen. John was called up by Greece in May 2011, but turned down the invitation.
The two will be replaced on the U.S. roster by the Seattle Sounders FC pair of Jeff Parke and Brad Evans.
Evans, a versatile 26-year-old midfielder with sharp timing on late runs into the box, has four caps, three of which came during the 2009 Gold Cup. Parke has never represented the United States, but at 29 has emerged as one of the more reliable central defenders in the league.
The Sounders call-ins will fill a 20-man roster to play Venezuela on Jan. 21 and Panama on Jan. 25.
Gonzalez won the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year award and, at 23, anchored the LA Galaxy's run to the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup. The Galaxy confirmed via Twitter that he is pursuing an offseason loan opportunity. John, 24, helped lead FC Dallas to the 2010 MLS Cup final and was close to joining Blackburn Rovers last summer.
Neither is tied to the United States internationally. Gonzalez, despite two U.S. caps, qualifies to play for Mexico as a dual citizen. John was called up by Greece in May 2011, but turned down the invitation.
The two will be replaced on the U.S. roster by the Seattle Sounders FC pair of Jeff Parke and Brad Evans.
Evans, a versatile 26-year-old midfielder with sharp timing on late runs into the box, has four caps, three of which came during the 2009 Gold Cup. Parke has never represented the United States, but at 29 has emerged as one of the more reliable central defenders in the league.
The Sounders call-ins will fill a 20-man roster to play Venezuela on Jan. 21 and Panama on Jan. 25.
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