Berhalter calls his first US men's national team roster for January camp

The US men's national team announced the program's first roster under new head coach Gregg Berhalter on Thursday morning, opening a new era by calling an all-MLS squad for the annual January camp in Southern California. 

The group of 27 players will report to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on Jan. 6, with one additional player to be added prior to the start of camp.

Columbus Crew SC, LAFC and Toronto FC lead the way with three selections each, while 17 MLS teams in all are represented.

The USMNT will open their 2019 slate against Panama on Jan. 27 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (8 pm ET | ESPN2, Univision networks), then travel to Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes, to face Costa Rica on Feb. 2 (3:30 pm ET | FOX, Univision networks).

“In putting together this domestic-based roster, we started with a number of players who we think can be a core part of the group moving forward. We then looked at players that excelled this year in Major League Soccer, and finally chose players that can play a specific role in our game model,” Berhalter said in a federation release. “We are very excited to start to implement our ideas about the style of play and the culture we want to develop in the national team.

“We are here to set the tone for the next four years.”

The 2019 January camp will take place at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center – formerly the Olympic Training Center – near San Diego, instead of its usual site, StubHub Center in Carson, California. Berhalter decided the facilities in Chula Vista provide "a better and more concentrated environment as he seeks to install a new culture and style of play" for a program seeking a fresh start after the disappointments of the 2018 cycle.

“Being in Chula Vista will help us create a team environment as we start to establish our culture and really be able to work on the details of our style of play,” said Berhallter. “The facilities are outstanding and provide everything we need to accomplish our goals both on and off the field. They are accustomed to hosting elite athletes, so we believe this will be a great place for this group to get started.”

USMNT 2019 January camp roster

*Called up on Dec. 28, 2018.