Photo: Nicolae Stoian
The Philadelphia Union announced on Sunday that recently signed centerback Jeff Parke has been named to the 25-player roster for the upcoming US Men’s National Team training camp, becoming the first player from the club called up to the senior national team.
It is Parke’s second national team call-up.
The camp, which begins on Jan. 7, will take place at the National Training Center in Carson City, Calif., and runs through Jan. 27.
On Jan. 28, the USMNT will host Canada in a friendly at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston (9pm, ESPN2, WatchESPN). The friendly will be the only warm-up match for the US ahead of the Feb. 6 CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Honduras at the Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sul.
Parke received his first international cap against Panama in the 1–0 win in Panama City on Jan. 25, 2012, coming on in the 55th minute for Chris Wondolowski.
The 30-year-old defender, an FC Delco alumni and graduate of Downingtown West High School and Drexel University, previouslt played for New York Red Bulls, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Seattle Sounders. With the Sounders he was voted Defender of the Year in 2011 and 2012 before being traded to the Union on Dec. 7, 2012 in exchange for a 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft pick and allocation money.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS (9): Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), A.J. DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Jeff Parke (Philadelphia Union)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (out of contract), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Edson Buddle (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Heh. I was looking forward to this moment, I would have loved it as I assumed it would be one our younger palyers a few years down the road.
For it to happen like this feels weird. Still happy and all, but its not the same.
Surprised that Parke got the call up, but I’m definitely happy for him.
I was hoping Okugo would get called-up based on a strong 2012 and his potential. Hopefully he starts off strong in 2013 and has a shot at the Gold Cup roster.
James and sjm003, we’ll have a post up tomorrow discussing Parke’s call-up, Adu not being called up (again), who might be the next Union player to receive the call, and more.
I was wishing Okugo or Williams, but the list is fairly good so it’s hard to complain much