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US to start pre-World Cup training on Jan 4
23/12/2009  by AP
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CHICAGO (AP) -- Aarhus midfielder Benny Feilhaber and Valerenga goalkeeper Troy Perkins were among five players based in Scandinavia invited to a U.S. training camp next month ahead of a World Cup warmup match against Honduras.

Twenty-five players from Major League Soccer were asked to the camp, which opens Jan. 4 at Carson, Calif. The MLS contingent includes goalkeeper Kevin Hartman; defenders Jonathan Bornstein, Jimmy Conrad, Chad Marshall and Heath Pearce; midfielders Kyle Beckerman, Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers; and forwards Conor Casey and Robbie Findley.

Nine players who have never appeared for the national team were called in, including seven who have never been to a training camp: defenders Kevin Alston, Omar Gonzalez and Brandon McDonald; midfielders Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Pontius; and forwards Justin Braun and Marcus Tracy.

"This is the start of six months of preparations for the World Cup, and it is important that we get started off heading in the right direction," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "We have had the chance to work with many of these players through their time with the national team, while others performed well for their clubs throughout last season and have earned this opportunity. We are continuing to evaluate the player pool as we move forwards finalizing our roster for this summer."

The U.S. plays fellow World Cup qualifier Honduras on Jan. 23 at Carson and hopes to meet Mexico at home the following month. A roster that more resembles the World Cup team will be used for the March 3 exhibition at the Netherlands.

The Americans open their sixth straight World Cup appearance against England on June 12, play Slovenia six days later and close the first round on June 23 against Algeria.

The full training camp roster:

Goalkeepers: Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga, Norway), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

Defenders: Kevin Alston (New England), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Brandon McDonald (San Jose), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro, Sweden), Geoff Cameron (Houston), Brad Davis (Houston), Brad Evans (Seattle), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas), Jeff Larentowicz (New England), Dax McCarty (Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C.), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado), Jeff Cunningham (Dallas), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg, Denmark)

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