And so it begins.

Late last night Seattle Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson announced on Twitter that Jurgen Klinsmann called him into the U.S. national team for the two upcoming games: October 12 at Antigua and Barbuda and October 16 vs. Guatemala in Kansas City. He didn't use those exact words—character limits are character limits after all—but the meaning of his tweet was abundantly clear:

"Thank you to the Seattle Sounders and my teammates family and friends for believing in me when everyone else didn't. #igotthecallupguys"

Given Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to announce the U.S. roster Monday at 3pm ET—just four days before the Antigua and Barbuda match and well after some European players will have returned to the States for training camp—leaks are inevitable. And they're kind of fun, too.

There's no question that Johnson deserves to be included on the U.S. squad. He is tied for sixth in Major League Soccer with 13 goals this season, and has been a revelation since returning from his ill-fated sojourn abroad. Johnson also has two assists in 25 appearances for the Sounders.

It may surprise some to learn that Johnson has 12 international goals in 42 appearances for the Stars and Stripes. Though a fringe player over the last for years, Johnson was a first-choice striker from 2004-2008. For more information on Johnson, currently ranked 38th in AmericanSoccerNow.com's interactive ASN 100, check out his ASN Soccerpedia profile.