US Soccer announced on Monday morning that D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen was called in by Jurgen Klinsmann for Wednesday's friendly against Mexico. Kitchen, who received his first cap for the United States in February against Panama, will replace Michael Orozco, after his club, Puebla, decided not to release him for the game.
Kitchen is listed as a midfielder on the updated list, where he featured against Panama for 18 minutes in a 2-0 win back on February 8th. But, for that January camp, he was listed by Klinsmann on the roster as a defender. His competition for playing time in the Mexico game consists of Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman, and Mix Diskerud, all of whom Klinsmann has played as a defensive midfielder.
Against Panama, Kitchen had a solid if unspectacular run out after replacing Diskerud in the 72nd minute. Bradley and Clint Dempsey netted in the first half against the Panamanians, in a game that was largely controlled by the Yanks.
Kitchen had arguably his best performance of the season this past weekend against the New York Red Bulls, netting twice in a 2-2 draw at RFK Stadium.
Here's the updated roster for the friendly, which airs on Wednesday on FS1 at 8:30 pm.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS (7): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Julian Green (Hamburg), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
What do you think about Kitchen's call up? Excited that he might get another opportunity to represent the Red, White, and Blue? And with the possibility on the horizon -- trivia time -- when was the last time two United players played for the US in the same game?
