Three Revs Called into First US Camp

Team Preparing for Friendly Against Sweden

December 31, 2007

Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst and forwards Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman were among the 26 players invited to national team training camp by U.S. coach Bob Bradley.

The camp, the first of 2008, will begin Jan. 3 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The group will prepare for the USA’s first match of 2008, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 19 at The Home Depot Center.

Taylor Twellman

Taylor Twellman was one of three Revs to get the call for the United Stats' first training camp of 2008.

"This is the beginning of a very important year for the national team, and we are looking forward to continuing the work of 2007,” said Bradley, who completed his first year as head coach with a 12-5-1 record. “This is another great opportunity to reinforce the principles of how this team operates both on and off the field, as well as giving us the chance to look at players that may be able to help us when World Cup qualifying begins in June.”

The largely domestic-based group includes 23 players who ply their trade in the United States. The MLS teams are well represented, with 13 of 14 clubs contributing players to the Carson camp. The Revolution are one of four clubs to send a trio of players, along with two-time MLS champs Houston Dynamo, the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC. The roster boasts several year-end award winners, including MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (Brad Guzan), Defender of the Year (Parkhurst) and Rookie of the Year (Maurice Edu).

All three of the Revolution players called to camp have National Team experience, with Twellman leading the way with 29 caps, including 10 during the 2007 calendar year when he was one of the team’s first-choice options at forward. He has scored six goals for the national team in his career, was an alternate to the U.S.’ 2006 World Cup squad and helped the U.S. repeat as CONCACAF Gold Cup champions in June.

Noonan enters the camp with 13 career caps and one goal. While injuries have limited his time with the national team in each of the last two seasons, Noonan was effective during the team’s qualifying schedule for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was also an alternate selection to the World Cup squad.

Parkhurst is coming off a career 2007 season, winning the 2007 MLS Defender of the Year and Fair Play awards, garnering MLS Best XI and All-Star First XI honors and earning his first caps with the National Team. Parkhurst will participate in his second camp under Bradley and earning his first two caps with the squad at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Americans' match with Sweden will be televised live by Fox Soccer Channel. The match will be the 500th in the history of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

The full U.S. roster by position:

Goalkeepers (4) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Matt Pickens (Chicago Fire), Zach Wells (D.C. United)
Defenders (9) – Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Todd Dunivant (Toronto FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Midfielders (7) – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Brian Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
Forwards (6) –Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus)
Head Coach: Bob Bradley