January, a time for New Year's resolutions, the transfer window some affectionately refer to as “silly season,” and time for the January camp for the United States Men's National Soccer team. An opportunity for everyone's favorite former German international to gauge the state of Major League Soccer players, players applying their trade in Scandinavia, and the occasional player from Liga MX.
Historically, of those called into the January camp, quite a few eventually go on to earn some caps with the national team and some have even played in a World Cup, the most famous of whom are Chris Wondolowski, DeAndre Yedlin, and Brad Davis.
Under Jurgen Klinsmann, these camps have been a useful tool to assess the state of these players, test chemistry, formations and the like. Of the 26 players called into last year's January camp, 9 players, including Rimando, Besler, Gonzalez, Yedlin, Zusi, Wondolowski, Diskerud, Beckerman, and Davis, were eventually included in Klinsmann's 23 man roster for the World Cup in Brazil. This is a change from Klinsmann's predecessor, Bob Bradley, who did not call up any players from the camp for the 2010 World Cup.
It's been a promising year for some younger Americans. Because previous years' January camp squads have primarily included North American and Scandinavia players, my list of 23 players is exclusive to these regions. Klinsmann knows what his players like Zusi are like at this point in time, therefore he should call up some new blood; thus, this list does not include many national team regulars from MLS.
GOALKEEPERS:
Bill Hamid - A combination of his performances this season, Nick Rimando's age, and Tim Howard's sabbatical warrant another call-up for DC United's shot-stopper. While called up in previous camps, this is could be the best possible time for him to break into the squad. Rimando, while magnificent this season, is aging, and Johnson, who is regarded as Hamid's other competition, was very inconsistent this season. Now's the time for Hamid to knock off Rimando and Johnson for that third goalkeeper spot.
Eric Kronberg - Although he's 31, which is relatively young for a goalkeeper, he deserves a look from Klinsmann to be the third goalkeeper. Assured a starting spot since he's now playing for the Montreal Impact, Kronberg had an overall solid season for Sporting Kansas City, and despite injuries and a few high profile errors, he managed to record seven shutouts and a goals-against average only surpassed by Nick Rimando.
Luis Robles - A consistently solid performer in MLS over the last few seasons, Robles was a big factor in New York's Supporter's Shield win in 2013. He also covered for a very shaky New York defense this season, with only San Jose's Jon Busch making more saves than him in the 2014 MLS season. Robles is only 30 and could compete with a variety of keepers for that number three spot. Don't be surprised if you see him in goal at the Gold Cup this summer.
DEFENDERS:
Jermaine Jones - Jones' arrival helped spark a run for the New England Revolution that saw them reach the MLS Cup Final, scoring two goals and contributing four assists in the process before falling to the LA Galaxy. The addition of Jones to New England is credited with steadying the ship, providing a protective presence in front of an otherwise solid back four, and freeing up Lee Nguyen to do what he does best: attack. However, we've seen Klinsmann play New England's hardman as center back in recent matches, and with the Gold Cup approaching this summer, and Jones having just turned 33, expect this stint at center back to continue. As a result of his playing of the holding role for New England, a stint at the January camp as a center back would likely prove invaluable for the German-born midfielder.
Greg Garza - It's been a very good year for the Tijuana-based left back. He seems to have cemented his spot at left back at the club level, and in the process earned five caps for the United States National Team since September. In that span of time, Garza impressed with balanced performances, defending well but knowing when to get forward and doing so with some success. Although some have held the belief that he's not played at a national team-level, between the lack of options at left back and Beasley’s retirement, his place on the side is likely to continue.
Robbie Rogers - Garza's potential competition, few have had as good of a year as Robbie Rogers. Having completed his transformation from left midfielder to left back, Rogers performed admirably in an LA side that stormed their way to the MLS Cup Final, and nearly nabbed the Supporter's Shield as well. With his overlapping runs from defense, well placed crosses, and link up play with Landon Donovan and Stefan Ishizaki, Rogers contributed two assists to the MLS Cup champions. The lack of options for the US at left back and his performances for LA have resulted in many calling for Klinsmann to give the California-born defender a call-up to the national team.
Steve Birnbaum - A 2014 Rookie of the Year nominee, Birnbaum stepped in flawlessly for the injured Jeff Parke midway through the season and would hold on to his spot for the rest of the year. Birnbaum has shown a great deal of composure and reading of the play far beyond his tender years. With Birnbaum's height and ability to read the game, he offers Klinsmann a younger alternative to the injury-prone Omar Gonzalez and may likely be one of four center backs called up in the upcoming friendlies. Some may see him far down in the pecking order behind Orozco, Goodson, Parkhurst or Cameron for that third or fourth center back spot; however, he's five years younger than Orozco, the youngest of those four, and in current form Birnbaum has the potential to outgrow any of those four.
Andrew Farrell - Despite enduring a tumultuous time in the MLS Cup Final, Farrell has proven to be one of the best wide defenders in MLS. He knows when to get forward and can also play center back. While he may be behind Yedlin in the pecking order, his performances this season and Klinsmann's inclination to play Yedlin at right midfield could result in a January camp call-up for Farrell.
Chris Schuler - Despite missing part of the season due to injury, Schuler was a key contributor to the third best defense in the league and Nick Rimando's seven clean sheets. Schuler also chipped in with three goals and one assist. An excellent passer of the ball and a threat on set pieces, Schuler's role at Real Salt Lake is likely to increase in importance with the departure of Nat Borchers and Aaron Maund, leaving him as one of the most senior defenders, also meaning he'll likely partner with the returning Jamison Olave. Although 26, Schuler remains in a similar situation to Birnbaum. Excellent in MLS, though it remains to be seen whether or not he'll be able to make the step up to the international level.
Kevin Ellis - Versatile and equally adept playing either center back or right back, the Sporting Kansas City player showed his ability and value this season for the 2013 MLS Cup champs, when asked to fill in in different positions in an injury riddled Kansas City defense. With Myers injury-prone and Colin gone, Ellis may become a regular starter next season for Kansas City and may very well be a useful utility man across the defense for the United States.
Ray Gaddis – He is one of the hardest working players in MLS, and the most consistent performer on a Philadelphia side that just barely missed out on the playoffs. Gaddis has stepped up his game since last season and made the left back spot his own, squashing arguments that he's not a natural left back. While he still needs to improve the offensive side of his game, only contributing two assists this season, Gaddis would be a solid player for Klinsmann to test if he decides to go for a defend first, attack later attitude with his fullbacks.
MIDFIELDERS:
Michael Bradley - Well regarded for his work on and off the ball as a deep-lying playmaker, Bradley was an integral member of the squad that got the United States to the World Cup. However, having been in the number one role at the World Cup, he was less than stellar to say the least. Klinsmann has expressed his desire to continue playing Bradley in the number 10 role, so if Bradley is going to successfully transition from a deep lying play maker to a number 10, he's going to need as much practice as possible. Whatever the case may be, chances are Bradley will continue to be integral to whatever the United States does moving forward.
Lee Nguyen - A 2014 MLS MVP nominee, the mercurial attacking midfielder has truly come into his own this season. Nguyen led New England in goals with 18, as well as contributing a fair amount of assists on New England's march to the MLS Cup Final. Klinsmann gave Nguyen his first call-up in seven years when the Texas-born midfielder was included in the squad to face Colombia and the Republic of Ireland in October. While some regard Luis Gil has the heir to the attacking role for the national team, the RSL player has seen his development and playing time sputter recently and will have to catch up developmentally if he's going to get a spot. If Klinsmann does choose to move forward with Bradley's development as a number 10, working with Nguyen could help this development; or merely threaten Nguyen's spot in the side.
Wil Trapp - A commanding presence in the center of midfield and a good passer of the ball, the homegrown midfielder embodies the attributes of a player who can play possession-based soccer - exactly what Klinsmann is gravitating toward. With Bradley's move to attacking midfield and Jones' potential move to central defense, Trapp could fill the gap left by either quite nicely. At only 21, he may be Jones' long term replacement. Better and younger than Alfredo Morales, a January camp call-up for Trapp could end with him becoming a regular fixture in the American setup.
Harry Shipp - 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year runner-up, Shipp quickly cemented his place as one of the better performers on a very average Chicago side. Proving quickly that he could cut it in MLS, Shipp contributed seven goals and a team leading six assists to a meek Chicago attack. While inconsistent at times, Shipp's mix of goals, assists and well-taken set pieces could make him the heir-apparent to Graham Zusi's spot on the right side of an attacking midfield trio for the US National Team. If the form that led up to the title of runner-up in the Rookie of the Year contest continues for Shipp, look for him to make the January camp and to potentially get a call-up for this summer's Gold Cup.
Perry Kitchen - A hard-nosed tackler with bucket-loads of stamina, Kitchen's tactical awareness and understanding between him and DC’s center backs are part of what made DC so good this season. Criticized for his size and believed to be just below that cut off for a national team-quality player, Kitchen could nonetheless be a useful utility player in World Cup qualifiers.
Dillon Serna - The versatile second-year Rapids midfielder is beginning to become a regular with Tab Ramos' US U20's, capable of playing in several midfield positions as well as left back. Serna managed three goals and had the second most assists for the Rapids with four. It may be time for Klinsmann to take notice.
Dillon Powers - Last year's Rookie of the Year, Powers has continued his development this season, leading Colorado in assists with nine and also notching five goals. Ironically enough, his name does not lie; a powerful attacking midfielder who can also throw in a tackle. Powers could prove an interesting and versatile player for Klinsmann to work with.
Mix Diskerud - An absolutely super sub off the bench for the United States in World Cup qualifying, Klinsmann has looked to play Diskerud in a deeper position in recent friendlies and take on more of a leadership role. Despite not playing a single minute of the 2014 World Cup, Diskerud's experience could be invaluable in 2018. Expect Klinsmann to use this camp to begin grooming him for that increased role.
FORWARDS:
Gyasi Zardes - LA's homegrown forward, Zardes was the league's highest scoring player this season. Strength, speed, and an eye for goal, Zardes has many of the attributes Klinsmann likes in a forward. Despite playing much of this season partnered with Robbie Keane in a diamond 4-4-2 formation, he could do well as the lone man in a 4-3-2-1 given the proper service from midfield.
Ethan Finlay - Finlay had a breakout year for Columbus, as he jointly led Columbus along with Federico Higuain with 11 goals and 7 assists. Perhaps not yet a national team-caliber player, but with Altidore misfiring on all cylinders, Wondolowski and Dempsey aging, and Terrance Boyd injured, Finlay could be an interesting alternative to Aron Johannsson or could potentially be paired with the Dutch-based forward.
Teal Bunbury - The Canadian born forward/midfielder has four previous caps with the US, but has not been called up since 2012. Since being traded to New England and being placed in that “wide forward” role by Jay Heaps, Bunbury has resurrected his career, helping the Revs reach an MLS Cup Final and scored a couple of goals in the process. He's strong and has a decent pace; Bunbury could offer Klinsmann an interesting, more direct option off the bench.
Christian Ramirez - Klinsmann shocked American soccer fans when he called up Ramirez's Minnesota United counterpart, Miguel Ibarra. It's time to shock soccer fans again. Ramirez is strong, a natural finisher, having led NASL with 20 goals and he is only 23. The United States could use a natural finisher, and Ramirez's strength makes him perfect to play the lone man up top in a 4-2-3-1.
Honorable mentions: Acosta, McInerney, Mullins, Gil, O'Neil, Sarkodie, and Neagle.