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An Instagram photo from the LA Galaxy II account shows that defender Oscar Sorto has been called up to the U.S. Men's National Team annual January training camp in Carson, affectionately known as "Camp Cupcake" for its integration of new talent into the U.S. player pool.
Congratulations to @oscaritosorto13 for being called up to @USSoccer January Camp: http://t.co/mvgz6bD1Sj #LosDos pic.twitter.com/c3plUHAzLG
— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) January 9, 2015
US Soccer then released the 28-man roster, with both Homegrown Player Gyasi Zardes and Oscar Sorto making the cut. Starting on January 12th, the team will take part in two mini-camps, sandwiched in-between a trip to Santiago to play Chile on Jan. 28th and concluding with a friendly vs. Panama on Feb. 8th at the StubHub Center.
On the one hand, you have to be happy for Gyasi, who gets a chance to test his skills vs. quality opposition and gain valuable exposure at the international level. The selection of Sorto is another positive for Galaxy fans, though similar to recent Klinsmann roster choices as of late, there are questions about the merit of his selection.
The major omission? No Robbie Rogers, who developed into one of the premier left backs in MLS the past season, a position the U.S. are lacking in depth.
Though the move was somewhat expected, his exclusion from the roster should be called into question. Rogers has always been an excellent 1 v. 1 defender, excels going forward, and is all but poised to improve in 2015. The only glaring weakness concerning Robbie is his age (27), and if that's the case, why are veterans like Wondo and Brad Evans still being called up?
You have to wonder if Jurgen's frosty relationship with Robbie, or even the comments from Rogers' new memoir had something to do with this decision.
Robbie Keane said it best.
"I'm sure if Mr. Klinsmann was a very, very good manager and watching the games, there's no question [Rogers] should certainly be in the [US national team] squads.
U.S. roster by position
Goalkeepers: Alex Bono (unattached) Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Christian Dean (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Shane O' Neill (Colorado Rapids), Oscar Sorto (LA Galaxy)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (out of contract), Dennis Flores (Club Leon), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC) Lee Nyugen (New England Revolution), Marc Pelosi (Liverpool), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), Will Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)
Forwards: Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julio Morales (Tepic), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)