The U.S. men’s national team has called in nine MLS players for a fitness camp in Frisco, Texas ahead of the World Cup.
The camp is designed for players whose MLS teams have been eliminated to keep up their fitness ahead of potential inclusion on the 26-man World Cup roster, which will be named on November 9.
There weren’t many surprises on the list, which did not include some long-shot candidates such as Eryk Williamson of the Portland Timbers and FC Cincinnati striker Brandon Vazquez — who has already said USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter told him he wouldn’t be going to Qatar.
One mild surprise was Gaga Slonina, who looks like a long-shot to be the team’s third goalkeeper behind Matt Turner and Zack Steffen. The teenager is set to join Chelsea in January and will likely be sent on loan upon arrival in England.
U.S. Soccer said more names will be added to the camp as teams are eliminated from the MLS playoffs.
The Philadelphia Union will face New York City FC, and Austin FC will take on LAFC in this weekend’s conference finals.
USMNT fitness camp list
- Paul Arriola (FC Dallas)
- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas)
- Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
- Gaga Slonina (Chicago Fire)
- DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami)
- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
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