CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016) – LA Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes has been named by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to a 23-player roster for the first training camp of 2016. The USMNT will play in two friendlies at StubHub Center, first against Iceland on Sunday, Jan. 31, (12:45 p.m.PT, ESPN2, UniMás, UDN) before hosting Canada on Friday, Feb. 5, (7:15 p.m. PT, Fox Sports 1, UniMás, UDN).
The camp, which runs from Monday, Jan. 11, through Saturday, Feb. 6, contains a mix of Senior Team members and a host of players age-eligible for the U-23 MNT.
Zardes earns the call up after making 19 appearances for the USMNT in 2015, tying Claudio Reyna’s 1994 record for most caps by a U.S. player in their debut year with the National Team. He earned his first-ever call up to the USMNT during last year’s January camp and made his first start at StubHub Center in a 2-0 win over Panama, where he provided the game-winning assist to Clint Dempsey. In all, the Galaxy Homegrown Player score three goals and added three assists for the U.S. in 2015. Last season in MLS play, Zardes finished the campaign with six goals and four assists, bringing his Galaxy total to 26 goals and 10 assists in three seasons with the club.
Tickets for the two matches at StubHub Center are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets to the match versus Iceland on Jan. 31 here. For the match against Canada Feb. 5, fans can purchase tickets here. Tickets are also available through www.stubhubcenter.com, by calling 1-888-929-7849, and at the StubHub Center ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT). Groups of 20 or more can order through www.ussoccer.com. Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available exclusively through www.ussoccer.com.
This will be the first meeting between the United States and Iceland in more than 20 years, with the teams splitting the lifetime series with a 2-2-2 record dating back to 1955. The tiny island nation made history when they qualified for the 2016 European Championship, twice defeating 2014 World Cup bronze medalists Netherlands in qualifying as they finished second in their group and advanced to a major tournament for the first time.
The U.S. and Canada have played 32 times since 1925. The MNT is unbeaten against its northern neighbors for the last 35 years, a run that includes eight wins and 13 shutouts.
The MNT has opened home campaigns with wins at StubHub Center each of the last two years, defeating Korea, 2-0, on Feb. 1, 2014, and Panama, 2-0, on Feb. 8, 2015.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Eric Miller (Montreal Impact), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Marc Pelosi (San Jose Earthquakes), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Jerome Kiesewetter (VfB Stuttgart), Jordan Morris (Unattached), Khiry Shelton (New York City FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
January 31, 2016
12:45 p.m. PT
USMNT vs Iceland
StubHub Center; Carson, Calif.
ESPN2, UniMas, UDN
February 5, 2016
7:15 p.m. PT
USMNT vs Canada
StubHub Center; Carson, Calif.
FS1, UniMás, UDN
The Galaxy will kick off the 2016 MLS Regular Season at StubHub Center on Sunday, March 6, against D.C. United (7 p.m. PT, UniMás). LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2016 MLS season are available for purchase now. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasontickets or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) to secure their 2016 LA Galaxy Season Ticket package.
Becoming a 2016 LA Galaxy Season Ticket Member gives fans the opportunity to receive a number of benefits, including discounted pricing, TEAM LA discounts, access to the 2016 Season Ticket Member Event, full season tickets to LA Galaxy II, early stadium access and access to LA Galaxy Champions League matches, among other exclusive benefits. For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/seasontickets or call an LA Galaxy representative at 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
