Klinsmann calls Donovan, Gonzalez into USMNT January camp

Jurgen Klinsmann has called 26 players to Carson, California which hosts the January camp for the United States, and as expected Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez are on that list. Also appearing is old friend Mike Magee, one of nine currently uncapped players called into the camp, as he comes off an MVP season.

The group, which includes 25 MLS players, will spend six days in Carson before heading to their World Cup training ground in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They'll fly back after two weeks and end the camp with a friendly against the Republic of Korea.

"We are all very excited for this camp because, as a team, it will give us our first taste of Brazil," said Klinsmann. "This is a very important camp in our preparations for the World Cup. It's important for the players to continue developing their bond and sense of urgency for the tournament. It's important for us to see how they do in Brazil, how the new players fit with the group and to make sure everyone is focused on reaching the highest level for next summer."

Ten players on the roster participated in US World Cup Qualifying over the past year, including the center back pairing of Gonzalez and Besler. That still leaves six MLS players who have caps but haven't been involved in national team plans lately. The added pressure of a possible World Cup spot will make this camp especially competitive.

Remember, before last year's January camp Besler had never appeared with the US national team. Nick Rimando got a call into camp after his Gold Cup standout appearance, although the goalkeeper depth on the national team has felt fairly rigid for some time.

It'll be interesting to see if the roster for the February friendly favors those who participated in qualifying or if players like Magee get a serious look. The full US roster is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)