Three Toronto FC players called up to USMNT camp

As the United States Men’s National Team continues its trend of turnover and new blood, the squad announced Monday for their winter training camp features plenty of inexperienced call-ups. Three Toronto FC players are on the list: Alex Bono, Justin Morrow, and Marky Delgado will all participate.

This ragtag squad is made up almost exclusively of MLS players, since European and Mexican clubs are all mid-season and thus players like Christian Pulisic won’t be released. They’ll be managed by caretaker boss Dave Sarachan.

Of the three TFC players in the squad, Morrow is the only one with a senior international cap (he played at the Gold Cup last summer). He could develop into a key piece of his national team’s back line over the next couple of years.

The other capped Reds, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, were passed over this time, as the USMNT tries to rebuild after a disastrous World Cup qualification campaign.

Bono earned his call-up after a dominant MLS Cup Playoffs, allowing just two goals in five games (none in the last three). His timely saves, especially against the New York Red Bulls, were a huge factor in TFC’s success.

The 23-year-old keeper was called up to the same USMNT winter camp in Jan. 2015, but didn’t make the squad for their friendlies against Chile and Panama. After establishing himself as one of the top young goalies in MLS, he may get some game minutes this time around, although the Columbus Crew’s Zack Steffen might have the edge there.

Bono has represented the U.S. seven times at the U18 level.

As for Delgado, the 22-year-old midfielder has been invited to his first camp after a breakout season with TFC. Almost an afterthought in 2016, he became a regular fixture in the starting eleven last season. His inclusion is more of a surprise than Bono’s, although he has played for the U.S. at the U17, U18, and U20 levels.

The full 30-man roster can be seen here:

ussoccer.com

The USMNT will be training for about two and a half weeks (starting Jan. 10) before playing a friendly on Jan. 28 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Carson, California.