New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston has been invited to join the U.S. Men’s National Team for training camp ahead of the upcoming friendly against El Salvador on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. This is Alston’s second consecutive call-up to the U.S. National Team following his participation in the first training camp of 2010, from Jan. 4 – 23.
All 23 players called into camp will report on Feb. 10 to U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., where the team will stay until departing for Tampa on Feb. 21. The game against El Salvador will be played on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. ET, and will be televised live on ESPN Classic and Telefutura. All players will then return to their clubs the following day, on Feb. 25.
Although Alston, 21, took part in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s most recent training camp, his participation was limited by a hamstring injury and he was subsequently not named to the game day roster for the culminating match against Honduras. Alston has since recovered from the injury, however, and has been participating in full training sessions with the Revolution, which opened preseason training camp this past Monday, Feb. 1.
Alston is entering his second year with the Revolution after he was the club’s top selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft (first round, 10th overall) out of Indiana. A speedy defender with the ability to get forward down the wing, Alston locked up the starting right back role from the beginning of the season, missing just four games because of injury. Overall, Alston made 26 starts in the regular season – recording one assist – and also played every minute of the Revolution’s postseason series against the Chicago Fire.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3) – Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
Defenders (7) – Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Midfielders (9) – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Forwards (4) – Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
The Revolution is scheduled to open the 2010 season on the road against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, March 27 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Revs are set to open their 2010 home slate on Saturday, April 10, when they host Toronto FC. Visit revolutionsoccer.net or follow the Revolution on Twitter (@NERevolution) for more information.
