Justen Glad and Corey Baird were named to the January camp of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, Real Salt Lake announced Thursday.
It is the first selection to the camp for Baird, who won the Rookie of the Year Award this past season. Glad will make his second consecutive appearance at the camp.
USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said in a conference call with reporters that he selected Baird to the camp because he liked what he saw in the rookie’s first MLS season.
“I really liked his off-the-ball movement, I liked his aggressiveness of attacking space, I liked how he was able to finish opportunities off ball,” Berhalter said. “I think he had a very good year.”
Berhalter said he sees Baird as a player who can get behind a defense and use his timing to up other players. He added that he is looking forward to seeing how Baird responds to the opportunity.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake forward Corey Baird (27) kicks the ball between Sporting Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic (15) and Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) as he scores a goal for Real Salt Lake, in MLS soccer action between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City at Rio Tinto Stadium, Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
Berhalter said Glad played the center back position with “intelligence,” noting that the position in MLS is a difficult one to play.
“We want to see how he does with this group,” Berhalter said of Glad. “I think he’s done enough this year, playing 33 games, to get a chance.”
Berhalter said he also considered Brooks Lennon for the camp, and added that he “could still be in consideration” down the road. He added that Lennon had an “excellent” season.
“Justen and Corey highlight a special group of young players on our roster. This honor for them is a testament to the work they’ve done at Real Salt Lake since their days at the Academy and reinforces our club vision,” general manager Craig Waibel said in a news release. “The opportunities are there for the entire group and this call-up could be a sign of things to come for them if they take advantage.”
The USMNT camp begins Jan. 7 in Chula Vista, Calif. Friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica are scheduled for Jan. 28 in Glendale, Ariz., and Feb. 2 in San Jose, Calif., respectively.
