Darlington Nagbe Called Up for USMNT January Camp

After getting his first two caps with the United States Men's National Team in 2015, Darlington Nagbe will have the opportunity to continue his career at the international level later this month after being called up to the US's January Camp for matches against Iceland on 1/31 and Canada on 2/5.

The camp kicks off on Sunday and will be composed mostly of players from MLS with a few notable exceptions such as Stanford's Jordan Morris, the subject of an ongoing signing saga up in Seattle, and the currently unattached Jermaine Jones. Nagbe, however, will report to camp late, according to the Washington Post's Steven Goff.

The possibility of Nagbe coming up against the surprise of the Euro 2016 Qualifiers, Iceland, has to be an intreauging one, but the USMNT's second match against Will Johnson's Canada is even more so. Nagbe facing off against his now-former teammate in the center of the pitch could make for a very compelling battle.

Of course, that supposes that Nagbe will be used in the center of the pitch, which is no guarantee under Klinsmann. In his previous appearances for the US, Nagbe played primarily on the wing, despite his excellent performances at the center of the park for the Portland Timbers late in the 2015 MLS season and through the playoffs.

The Timbers' press release:

TIMBERS MIDFIELDER DARLINGTON NAGBE NAMED TO UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER FOR TRAINING CAMP
Nagbe earns second national team call-up; made debut for United States Nov. 13

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe has been named to the United States National Team roster for the team’s training camp from Jan. 11-Feb. 6 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The United States is scheduled to play international friendly matches against Iceland on Jan. 31 and CONCACAF-rival Canada on Feb. 5, it was announced today. 

Nagbe, who earned his American citizenship in September, made his debut for the United States during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Nov. 13, playing 26 minutes as a substitute in a 6-1 win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. He recorded his second international cap on Nov. 17, logging 22 minutes in a scoreless draw against Trinidad and Tobago.

For the Timbers, the five-year MLS veteran tallied five goals and five assists in 33 regular-season matches, while moving into a tie for the career mark across all eras in all-time appearances (160) for Portland in 2015, helping lead the club to the postseason for the second time in the last three seasons. In the playoffs, Nagbe played every minute of all six matches, tallying two assists, including one in a 2-1 win against Columbus Crew SC on Dec. 6 as the Timbers captured their first MLS Cup title.

The United States is scheduled to play two friendlies during the team’s training camp, playing host to Iceland on Jan. 31 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.; kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (Pacific). The U.S. then faces Canada at the StubHub Center on Feb. 5; kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (Pacific).