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The five U.S. national team players with the most to prove at January camp
A look at five players who will face a crucial January with the U.S. national team
Jan 5, 2012 4:58:00 PM
By Seth Vertelney
Getty
U.S. national team camp got underway this week, and as is normally the case with the January gathering, the roster would be aptly described as the reserve squad. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann admitted as much when the team was revealed last month:
"This is a very important opportunity for these players. They are the next in line behind the established players, and this is a chance to prove themselves,” he said of his roster made up entirely MLS players, save for Ricardo Clark and Michael Parkhurst.
Although every player is fighting for a shot in the first team, there are five players we've spotlighted that should have a bit extra to prove to the boss during this “Camp Cupcake”, or “Camp Strudel” as it's now being called with a German chef in charge of the baking. The next three weeks will be extra crucial for this group, and they'll have a chance to impress during training and friendlies against Venezuela on Jan. 21 and Panama on Jan. 25.
Benny Feilhaber: If Klinsmann really does want to play a fluid, passing style of play, then the New England Revolution midfielder could prove to be a key cog with a good showing this January. Feilhaber had an admirable season with the Revs, scoring four goals and assisting on seven as part of one of the league's worst teams. His national team career his hit a crossroads though: He will be 27 in a couple weeks and hasn't featured since October 2010. As the most-capped player in camp and one of only two with World Cup experience (Ricardo Clark is the other), Feilhaber has the pedigree. Now it's a matter of making a good first impression with Klinsi.
Chris Wondolowski: For many fans, the thought of Chris Wondolowski in a U.S. shirt begins and ends with his horror miss late in a 2-1 loss to Panama at last summer's Gold Cup. However, the 28-year-old's goalscoring record at club level merits another national team look, and given the fact he's only been capped five times by the U.S., the sample size isn't really high enough to draw any firm conclusions on his ability at the international level. Another strong finish (eight goals in his last nine games) to his MLS season earned him a second chance, but he'll have to take his chances with a bit more verve this time around to have a national team future beyond this month.
Michael Parkhurst: The book on Parkhurst seemed to be written long ago: He was a nice club player who lacked the size and pace needed to succeed in the international game. Quietly though, the 27-year-old has been building up his resume with Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjaelland. He's led the team to back-to-back Danish Cup victories, augmented his value by proving he could play defensive midfielder and right back in addition to his more natural center back, and recently signed an extension with the team, revealing he had turned down more lucrative offers in the process. Nordsjaelland is currently in second place, and boasts the Danish league's stingiest defense. Parkhurst has been a big part of the team's success and could work his way into a utility role with the U.S. if he keeps it up.
C.J. Sapong: The U.S. isn't exactly known for being loaded at the forward position, and the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year is hoping to enter Klinsmann's first-team plans in his first appearance with the national side. The tenth overall pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft has international-level size and athleticism, and has more than a whiff of Jozy Altidore to his game. His challenge now will be refining his touch and being a bit more opportunistic in front of goal and if he can accomplish that, he'll have every chance to move ahead of club teammate Teal Bunbury and Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo in the American forward pecking order.
Geoff Cameron: Cameron was one of three young MLS center backs, along with Omar Gonzalez and George John, who were vociferously touted for national team call ups by fans and media alike. All three received the call, but as of Thursday morning, Cameron was the only one left in camp. With Gonzalez on loan at FC Nurnberg and John in Europe finalizing a transfer, the Dynamo center back has a golden opportunity to impress Klinsmann. After bouncing around a number of positions with the Dynamo, Cameron found a permanent home at center half last season, leading the team to the MLS Cup final. It's been nearly two years since the 26-year-old's only U.S. cap, but adding solid international performances to his outstanding club form could see him force his way into the center back discussion going forward.
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"This is a very important opportunity for these players. They are the next in line behind the established players, and this is a chance to prove themselves,” he said of his roster made up entirely MLS players, save for Ricardo Clark and Michael Parkhurst.
Although every player is fighting for a shot in the first team, there are five players we've spotlighted that should have a bit extra to prove to the boss during this “Camp Cupcake”, or “Camp Strudel” as it's now being called with a German chef in charge of the baking. The next three weeks will be extra crucial for this group, and they'll have a chance to impress during training and friendlies against Venezuela on Jan. 21 and Panama on Jan. 25.
Benny Feilhaber: If Klinsmann really does want to play a fluid, passing style of play, then the New England Revolution midfielder could prove to be a key cog with a good showing this January. Feilhaber had an admirable season with the Revs, scoring four goals and assisting on seven as part of one of the league's worst teams. His national team career his hit a crossroads though: He will be 27 in a couple weeks and hasn't featured since October 2010. As the most-capped player in camp and one of only two with World Cup experience (Ricardo Clark is the other), Feilhaber has the pedigree. Now it's a matter of making a good first impression with Klinsi.
Chris Wondolowski: For many fans, the thought of Chris Wondolowski in a U.S. shirt begins and ends with his horror miss late in a 2-1 loss to Panama at last summer's Gold Cup. However, the 28-year-old's goalscoring record at club level merits another national team look, and given the fact he's only been capped five times by the U.S., the sample size isn't really high enough to draw any firm conclusions on his ability at the international level. Another strong finish (eight goals in his last nine games) to his MLS season earned him a second chance, but he'll have to take his chances with a bit more verve this time around to have a national team future beyond this month.
Michael Parkhurst: The book on Parkhurst seemed to be written long ago: He was a nice club player who lacked the size and pace needed to succeed in the international game. Quietly though, the 27-year-old has been building up his resume with Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjaelland. He's led the team to back-to-back Danish Cup victories, augmented his value by proving he could play defensive midfielder and right back in addition to his more natural center back, and recently signed an extension with the team, revealing he had turned down more lucrative offers in the process. Nordsjaelland is currently in second place, and boasts the Danish league's stingiest defense. Parkhurst has been a big part of the team's success and could work his way into a utility role with the U.S. if he keeps it up.
C.J. Sapong: The U.S. isn't exactly known for being loaded at the forward position, and the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year is hoping to enter Klinsmann's first-team plans in his first appearance with the national side. The tenth overall pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft has international-level size and athleticism, and has more than a whiff of Jozy Altidore to his game. His challenge now will be refining his touch and being a bit more opportunistic in front of goal and if he can accomplish that, he'll have every chance to move ahead of club teammate Teal Bunbury and Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo in the American forward pecking order.
Geoff Cameron: Cameron was one of three young MLS center backs, along with Omar Gonzalez and George John, who were vociferously touted for national team call ups by fans and media alike. All three received the call, but as of Thursday morning, Cameron was the only one left in camp. With Gonzalez on loan at FC Nurnberg and John in Europe finalizing a transfer, the Dynamo center back has a golden opportunity to impress Klinsmann. After bouncing around a number of positions with the Dynamo, Cameron found a permanent home at center half last season, leading the team to the MLS Cup final. It's been nearly two years since the 26-year-old's only U.S. cap, but adding solid international performances to his outstanding club form could see him force his way into the center back discussion going forward.
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