CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2018) – With his first opportunity to set the tone and direction of the program, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter has called 27 players to Chula Vista, Calif., for the annual January Camp. The group will report Jan. 6 to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, with one additional player to be added prior to the start of camp.

The camp and matches mark the first for Berhalter since being named head coach in December. The U.S. opens the 2019 campaign against Panama on Jan. 27 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. [TICKETS] Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision Networks. The MNT continues preparation for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup one week later when they welcome regional rival Costa Rica to Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 2 [TICKETS]. FOX and Univision Networks will carry the match at 3:30 p.m. ET.

READ MORE: Seven New Faces Join MNT for 2019 January Camp

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“In putting together this domestic-based roster, we started with a number of players who we think can be a core part of the group moving forward. We then looked at players that excelled this year in Major League Soccer, and finally chose players that can play a specific role in our game model,” Berhalter said. “We are very excited to start to implement our ideas about the style of play and the culture we want to develop in the National Team.”

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0), Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0),

Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0)

DEFENDERS (10): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 2/0), Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati; 10/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 4/1)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 23/2), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 17/2), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 142/17), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 6/0), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; 0/0)*, Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 5/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 5/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 11/0)

FORWARDS (3): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; 0/0), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 40/6)

*Jonathan Lewis was added as the 28th player on the roster on Dec. 28, 2018

ALL MLS

With the dates falling outside of the designated international calendar for national team competitions, the January Camp typically consists largely of MLS-based players who are not in season. This time around, Berhalter has selected a roster exclusively coming from the domestic league. Seventeen different MLS clubs are represented, with Columbus Crew SC, LAFC and Toronto FC leading the way with three selections each.

MOVING SOUTH

This year’s camp is being held at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center – formerly the Olympic Training Center – near San Diego. Traditionally the January gathering has taken place at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles; however, Berhalter believed the facilities in Chula Vista provide a better and more concentrated environment as he seeks to install a new culture and style of play.

“Being in Chula Vista will help us create a team environment as we start to establish our culture and really be able to work on the details of our style of play. The facilities are outstanding and provide everything we need to accomplish our goals both on and off the field. They are accustomed to hosting elite athletes, so we believe this will be a great place for this group to get started.”

FAMILIAR FOES

After two weeks of training camp, the U.S. will get its first tests of the year against opponents they will likely see down the road in the Gold Cup and the newly established Concacaf Nations League. Berhalter’s debut will come in the 20th meeting between the United States and Panama, the teams having faced off three times in 2017 alone. Costa Rica is one of only two teams in Concacaf to have a winning record against the MNT. The match will come on the 16-year anniversary of the USA’s 2-0 victory against Los Ticos in the 2002 Concacaf Gold Cup Final.

ROSTER NOTES