Perry Kitchen, Steve Birnbaum Break Camp With U.S. Team for Upcoming Friendlies

U.S. Soccer announced earlier today the 23 man roster that will make the trip to Santiago to play Chile on January 28 and at Stub Hub Center in Carson, California on February 8 against Panama. D.C. United fans will notice that Steve Birnbaum (who it should be noted celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday) and Perry Kitchen made the list immediately, but here is the whole roster for your perusal:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (Orlando City), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

Yedlin's callup is a mild surprise considering he was just getting into the routine at Tottenham, but in terms of unpacking random things, of the 25 players named to the 2013 National Team camp by Klinsmann, 11 went on to play in the Gold Cup that year. Along with U.S. Soccer's insistence on labeling Kitchen as a defender.

Oh, and not good enough for Rookie of the Year Birnbaum may get a cap or two, while Tesho Akindele stays home. Good job, good effort MLS awards voters.