The United States coach called 25 players into the first camp of the year, 21 of whom play in Major League Soccer.

A strong midfield features Graham Zusi, Kyle Beckerman, Mix Diskerud, and Josh Gatt, while MLS Defender of the Year Matt Besler and MLS Cup MVP Omar Gonzalez headline the backline. The head coach expects the Los Angeles Galaxy centerback to demonstrate he is ready for the biggest stages in world soccer.

"He needs to show us he’s ready for a big step into international football," Klinsmann told Fox Soccer's Goals on Sunday. "He needs to show us that he wants to break in. He needs to show us that he’s ready to guide a back line, that he’s ready to communicate a lot and take over the responsibility."

Eddie Johnson, Chris Wondolowski, and Juan Agudelo are the top three forwards of the five called by Klinsmann. Tally Hall, Bill Hamid, and Sean Johnson will split the goalkeeping duties.

New York Red Bulls Connor Lade is the biggest surprise. Notable absences include Landon Donovan (unsure of future), Chris Pontius (injury), and Dax McCarty (coach's decision).

The team will train in California between January 7th and January 17th before moving to Houston for a match against Canada on the 29th. The real goal, however is a trip to Honduras for the first World Cup qualifier on February 6. “There is good chance of 6, 7, 8 guys out of this group making Honduras," Klinsmann said on FSC after the announcement.

The manager also said that Jermaine Jones and Maurice Edu may join the camp in the near future.

The full roster, courtesy of USSoccer.com.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS (9): Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), A.J. DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Jeff Parke (Philadelphia Union)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (out of contract), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Edson Buddle (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

What do you think of the roster? Who are you happy to see called? Who do you think was snubbed? Let us know below.