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SANDY — Nick Rimando wasn’t with Real Salt Lake for training Saturday afternoon.
The veteran goalkeeper had a pretty good reason for the absence, though.
Rimando was one of 23 players called up by the U.S. Men’s National Team for international camp ahead of a pair of FIFA-approved friendlies in Europe this week. The U.S. squad, which consists of a mix of MLS talent and Liga MX and other league roster players, will play a friendly against Denmark March 25 and Switzerland March 31.
Rimando, 35, has become a fixture in camp recently and will bring veteran experience alongside young goalkeepers Cody Cropper of Southampton and William Yarbrough of Mexico’s Leon. He will miss next Sunday’s home contest against Toronto FC.
“It’s always a great feeling and honor to get the call from your national team and to have friendlies in two countries I’ve never been to or played against is exciting,” said Rimando, who has 18 senior team caps. “I take a lot of passion in representing the U.S., especially after the World Cup. We’re in the transitional period with lots of new players coming in and young players being developed and to be a part of this stage is exciting.”
Rimando won’t be the only player missing from next week’s interconference MLS fixture, which will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1.
U.S. men's national team camp roster
Name | Pos. | Club |
---|---|---|
Cody Cropper | GK | Southampton |
Nick Rimando | GK | Real Salt Lake |
William Yarbrough | GK | Club Leon |
Ventura Alvardo | DF | Club America |
John Brooks | DF | Hertha Berlin |
Timmy Chandler | DF | Eintrach Frankfurt |
Greg Garza | DF | Club Tijuana |
Michael Orozco | DF | Puebla |
Tim Ream | DF | Bolton Wanderers |
Brek Shea | DF | Orlando City SC |
DeAndre Yedlin | DF | Tottenham Hotspur |
Alejandro Bedoya | MF | Nantes |
Michael Bradley | MF | Toronto FC |
Julian Green | MF | Hamburg |
Miguel Ibarra | MF | Minnesota United FC |
Fabian Johnson | MF | Borussia Monchengladbach |
Alfredo Morales | MF | Ingolstadt |
Danny Williams | MF | Reading |
Gyasi Zardes | MF | L.A. Galaxy |
Jozy Altidore | FW | Toronto FC |
Clint Dempsey | FW | Seattle Sounders FC |
Aron Johannsson | FW | AZ Alkmaar |
Rubio Rubin | FW | FC Utrecht |
Toronto FC's Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore were also named to U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s camp roster, and RSL midfielder Luis Gil will go to camp for the U.S. U-23 squad in preparation for a pair of friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Denmark ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic qualifying tournament.
“It’s going to be fun. Putting that jersey on is a great feeling,” said Gil, who has two caps with the U.S. senior team and has become a fixture at the U-20 and U-23 levels in recent years. “To be with old teammates that you’ve played with throughout the years will be good.”
In addition to the pair of American call-ups, RSL striker Alvaro Saborio will miss one week with the club for a pair of friendlies for Costa Rica, and defender Elias Vasquez will represent Guatemala in a pair of U.S.-based friendlies. Saborio has 96 caps and 34 goals for Los Ticos, the most of any current player on the camp roster. Vasquez will look to add to his 25 career appearances for Los Chapines, including four during 2014 World Cup qualifying.
All four RSL players are expected to return to the team in time for the April 8 road game at San Jose.
The complete U.S. senior roster includes six players from MLS, five from Germany, four from Liga MX, among others.