D.C. United forward Chris Pontius, who never played for U.S. Soccer at any youth level, was called into his first national team training camp, one of 30 players selected as the U.S. begins final preparations for the 2010 World Cup. Pontius, who had four goals and three assists last year, was a finalist for 2009 MLS rookie of the year.
The camp will also include former Maryland standouts Omar Gonzalez (the 2009 MLS rookie of the year) and Clarence Goodson, Silver Spring native Kevin Alston (also his first call-up) of the New England Revolution, and former D.C. United goalkeepers Nick Rimando and Troy Perkins.
The group will report on January 4 to the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for a camp that concludes with a friendly against Honduras on January 23.
Here’s the full roster: GOALKEEPERS (4): Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS (8): Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (12): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (6): Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)
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