US selects roster for pre-Olympic qualifying camp

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Porter gave some initial thoughts on his possible team for Olympic soccer qualifying when he selected an initial 31-man roster Wednesday for a training camp in Duisburg, Germany, from Nov. 7-16.

The new American Under-23 coach, who remains as coach at defending NCAA champion Akron, selected three players who have seen time with the national team: goalkeeer Sean Johnson, defender Gale Agbossoumonde and midfielder Mixx Diskerud.

Vancouver rookie forward Omar Salgado also was picked.

Because of Porter’s commitments at Akron, U.S. Soccer Federation youth technical director Claudio Reyna will run the training camp, with new Under-20 coach Tab Ramos in charge of players in his age group and new Under-18 coach Richie Williams part of the staff.

Regional qualifying for the London Olympics starts in March.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose), Cody Cropper (Ipswich, England), Sean Johnson (Chicago), Jon Kempin (Sporting KC)

Defenders: Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Sean Cunningham (Molde, Norway), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers, Germany), Greg Garza (no club), Perry Kitchen (D,C.), Will Packwood (Birmingham, England), Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA), Ethan White (D.C.)

Midfielders: Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Mixx Diskerud (Stabaek, Norway), Dilly Duka (Columbus), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz, Germany), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham, England), Tyrone McCargo (Nuremberg, Germany), Charles Renken (Hoffenheim, Germany), Caleb Stanko (Freiburg, Germany), Jose Villarreal (Los Angeles)

Forwards: Terrence Boyd (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Conor Doyle (Derby, England), Josh Gatt (Molde, Norway), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jerome Kiesewetter (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Omar Salgado (Vancouver), Tony Taylor (Atletico Clube, Portugal), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich, Germany), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern, Germany)