Limited squad

U.S. names roster for Gold Cup training camp

Frankie Hejduk joins the U.S. for the first time in nine months. Jamie Squire/Allsport

CHICAGO (AP) -- The United States will send a weakened squad to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, leaving out many probable World Cup starters who are with their European clubs.

Defender Frankie Hejduk and midfielder Eddie Lewis were the only European-based players in the 28-man pool for the tournament, a championship of national teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean regions.

Among the missing are top goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller; defenders David Regis and Steve Cherundolo; midfielders Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart and John O'Brien; and forwards Joe-Max Moore and Jovan Kirovski.

"We are very anxious to get back on the field and begin the process of improving our team as we head towards the World Cup this summer," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena. "This tournament provides us an opportunity to give our players the chance to begin to regain their fitness and soccer sharpness, and at the same time demonstrate how they can contribute to our roster.

"It is certainly prestigious to compete in our region's premier tournament, and we want to represent ourselves well."

Forwards John Wolff and Brian McBride, and midfielder-forward Clint Mathis -- all coming off injuries -- were picked for the team. Wolff broke his left foot May 30, Mathis hasn't played since tearing a right knee ligament June 5, and McBride returned Dec. 9, after August surgery to remove a section of a rib that had put pressure on a vein, causing blood clots.

Hejduk, with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, hasn't played for the United States since an exhibition against Brazil last March. Lewis, who plays for Fulham in England, hasn't appeared for the U.S. team in six months.

Also back is goalkeeper Tony Meola, the starter for the United States at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Zach Thornton, another goalkeeper, was among six players selected from the Chicago Fire, the most of any Major League Soccer club.

The team gathers Saturday for training camp in Claremont, California, and has first-round games in the Gold Cup against South Korea (Jan. 19) and Cuba (Jan. 21) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

In the World Cup, the Americans will be based in South Korea and play first-round games against Portugal (June 5 in Suwon), South Korea (June 10 in Daegu) and Poland (June 14 in Daejeon).

The roster, with clubs in parentheses:

Goalkeepers-Tim Howard (New York/New Jersey), Tony Meola (Kansas City), Nick Rimando (Miami), Zach Thornton (Chicago)

Defenders-Jeff Agoos (San Jose), Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago), Dan Califf (Los Angeles), Frankie Hejduk (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Carlos Llamosa (Miami), Pablo Mastroeni (Miami), Eddie Pope (DC United), Greg Vanney (Los Angeles)

Midfielders-Chris Armas (Chicago), DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago), Bobby Convey (DC United), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles), Manny Lagos (San Jose), Eddie Lewis (Fulham, England), Brian Maisonneuve (Columbus), Clint Mathis (New York/New Jersey), Richard Mulrooney (San Jose), Brian West (Columbus), Richie Williams (New York/New Jersey)

Forwards-Jeff Cunningham (Columbus), Landon Donovan (San Jose), Brian McBride (Columbus), Ante Razov (Chicago), Josh Wolff (Chicago).

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