Sporting KC's Besler and Kempin called up to US camp

United States Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named a mix of veterans and younger players to the 28 man roster for the January camp. Sporting Kansas City is represented by two Kansas City natives, captain Matt Besler and homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin.  The U.S. MNT January Camp will run Jan. 12 - Feb. 8 in Carson, California.

During this training camp the first two international matches on the United States schedule for 2015 will be played. Chile will host the U.S. on Jan. 28 in Rancagua, Chile and the U.S. will face Panama Feb. 8 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

"The prize in 2015 for the senior National Team is the Gold Cup, and this camp will give a lot of our players a chance to kick start their preparations for an important year," U.S. Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said via press release. "We also get an opportunity to introduce the next wave of young players into the program, and in particular work with many of our Olympic-age guys as they build toward qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio."

One of those young players is Kempin who will be attending his first camp with the senior team. The young keeper has represented the United States at the Under-14 through Under-23 and is one of the leading goalkeeper candidates for the US Olympic qualifying team in 2016.

"I am extremely honored to be able to represent my country in my first senior team call up," Kempin said in the press release. "I am excited to work with some of the best players in the world and learn from the likes of Nick Rimando and Sean Johnson. The experience I will get from working with Jurgen (Klinsmann) and his coaching staff will be very valuable to my career. My dream is to represent the United States in the Olympics and World Cups. I feel like being invited to the January Camp is one step closer to achieving those dreams."

Kempin made his MLS debut last season after being recalled from Oklahoma City where he was able to work and learn under former Sporting KC keeper and captain Jimmy Nielsen.

Matt Besler has become a mainstay for Klinsmann's squad and will be the defender with the most caps playing defender on the roster.

"This is another big year ahead of us in 2015," Besler noted. "The January Camp is always a good way to set the tone for the upcoming campaign and establish a positive rhythm within the national team environment. It is an important time of the year which brings a welcomed new wave of excitement and energy."

Sporting KC winger Graham Zusi was left off the roster so he could continue to heal in preparation for the upcoming season

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (unattached), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United),

Christian Dean (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids), Oscar Sorto (LA Galaxy)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (out of contract), Dennis Flores (Club Leon),

Luis Guil (Real Salt Lake), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Marc Pelosi (Liverpool FC), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS (6): Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julio Morales (Tepic),

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)