FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper called to U.S. National Team camp

by PegNews wire

Cooper, FCD’s 2008 team MVP and leading scorer with 18 goals, has scored two goals in his three appearances with the U.S. National Team.

U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper and 24 other players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Kenny Cooper (#33) congratulated after one of 18 goals this regular season.

The group will prepare for the USA’s first match of 2009, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 at The Home Depot Center. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT.

The annual camp held in January for players in their offseason is a largely domestic-based group that includes 20 players who ply their trade in the United States. The MLS teams are well represented, with 10 of 15 clubs contributing players to the Carson camp.

Cooper, FCD’s 2008 team MVP and leading scorer with 18 goals, has scored two goals in his three appearances with the U.S. National Team. The 24-year-old recently made his first career start on Nov. 19, 2008, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Guatemala in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

After the Sweden match, the U.S. will begin the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they host regional rivals Mexico on Feb. 11 at Columbus Crew Stadium.

U.S. Men’s National Team Training Camp Roster

Jan. 4-25, 2008 in Carson, Calif.

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

A detailed U.S. MNT camp roster can also be found at www.ussoccer.com.

Source: FC Dallas Communications