Sacha Kljestan and Luis Robles named in roster to face Serbia
The U.S. Men’s National Team announced that head coach Bruce Arena has named Sacha Kljestan and Luis Robles to the final 23-player roster that will face Serbia on Jan. 29 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff for the USA’s first match of 2017 is set for 4 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and UniMas.
Five days after USA-Serbia, the Men’s National Team will make its first visit to Chattanooga, Tenn., on Feb. 3 to host regional rival Jamaica. Kickoff at Finley Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1 and UniMas (simulcast on UDN).
Kljestan reclaimed a regular spot with the National Team in 2016, breaking into camp in September and posting two solid performances in World Cup Qualifiers against St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. Kljestan was also with the team for an October camp, as well as the first matches in the hexagonal phase of World Cup Qualifying in November.
The midfielder also had a career-year with the Red Bulls, becoming just the second player in league history to reach the 20-assist plateau, and setting a new franchise record for single-season assists in the process.
Robles, who’s enjoying his second-consecutive January camp call up, heads into the international friendlies after leading MLS with 16 wins and 11 shutouts in 2016. The Red Bulls ironman played all 34 regular season games for the fourth season, bringing his consecutive games (and starts) mark to 140 in the regular season. He also reached 100 saves for the third time in his MLS career.
A total of 31 players gathered in Carson beginning on Jan. 10 for the annual January Camp at the National Training Center. The delegation travels this afternoon to San Diego to begin final preparations.
“I have been extremely pleased with the effort and progress we have seen throughout the January Camp,” Arena said. “The entire pool of players has performed well and has made our roster decisions very difficult. We are excited to take the next step and look forward to the game against Serbia in San Diego.”
GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (LA Galaxy),Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Five players were released back to their clubs: Taylor Kemp, Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Rowe, Wil Trapp, and Chris Wondolowski. In addition, LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes has a minor contusion in his right knee and will not travel.
