Wed, Jan 02, 2008 - Page 18 News List

Donovan leads young group at US training camp

AFP , CHICAGO

Landon Donovan, one goal shy of becoming the all-time US scoring leader, leads a young group of 26 players that will begin training camp tomorrow ahead of a Jan. 19 friendly with Sweden.

Donovan's 34 international goals in 96 matches have him level atop the US career scoring list with Eric Wynalda, who played 106 US matches from 1990 through 2000.

Donovan, a 25-year-old forward for the Los Angeles Galaxy, is the experienced leader in a US lineup that features 20 men with 10 or fewer caps, seven of them seeking their first appearance on the national team.

Most of the US lineup comes from Major League Soccer teams that are now idle, but three players from Scandinavian clubs whose leagues are on a winter break will also report to camp.

Aalborg BK captain Dan Califf, who played in triumphs over Swiss and South African squads, is joined by SK Brann's Ramiro Corrales, out of the US fold since 2004, and AGF Aarhus striker Jeremiah White, seeking his first cap.

The camp allows US coach Bob Bradley to study talent that could help the US squad when qualifying for the 2010 South Africa World Cup begins in June.

"This is the beginning of a very important year for the national team and we are looking forward to continuing the work of 2007," said Bradley, who went 12-5 with one drawn in his first year in the job.

The US will play host to Mexico on Feb. 6 and play a second-round qualifying series in June against either Barbados or Dominica.

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