CHICAGO — Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones were among seven World Cup veterans picked Friday for a U.S. training camp before exhibitions against Chile and Panama.
American coach Jurgen Klinsmann selected 14 players who could make their national team debuts, including Dallas forward Tesho Akindele, last season’s Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year; Columbus midfielder Wil Trapp; Tepic forward Julio Morales; and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes. Morales is eligible to play for the U.S. and Mexico.
Liverpool midfielder Marc Pelosi and 1860 Munich forward Bobby Wood are the only Europe-based players headed to the training camp, which opens Monday at Carson, California. Twelve of the 28 players are eligible for the under-23 team that will attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Other members of the World Cup roster picked were goalkeeper Nick Rimando, defender Matt Besler, midfielder Mix Diskerud and forward Chris Wondolowski. Diskerud’s contract with Norway’s Rosenborg has expired and he is likely to sign with MLS’s expansion New York City FC.