USMNT: Perry Kitchen and Steve Birnbaum of D.C. United get called up by Jurgen Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann's winter USMNT camp roster was released today, and D.C. United saw more than one name on the list for the first time in ages. Midfielder Perry Kitchen and center back Steve Birnbaum will head out to California for what has become known as "Camp Strudel." The USMNT will visit Chile for a game on January 28th before returning stateside to wrap up camp with a game against Panama on February 8th.

Kitchen - who is for some unfathomable reason listed as a defender on this roster - had a career year in central midfield for the Black-and-Red. In 31 appearances - all starts - he produced a career-high 5 goals to go with 4 assists (tying his best mark in that category). Perhaps more importantly, Kitchen's tireless running, soccer IQ, and physicality were arguably just as important to DCU's hopes as any other player on the team. If a single player could define United in 2014, that player was Perry Kitchen.

Previously, Kitchen's history with the US program included many appearances at the under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels. That last level is important, as it saw Kitchen playing out of position in central defense as the Americans scandalously failed to advance out of their group in Olympic qualifying. Despite clear and abundant evidence that he is 100% a defensive midfielder, Klinsmann has chosen to list Kitchen as a defender on this roster.

Birnbaum, meanwhile, was nominated for Rookie of the Year after performing admirably at center back. The former US under-18 and under-20 recovered from a rough preseason, stepping in once Jeff Parke went down injured in the middle of the season. Birnbaum ended up starting 21 games for a United side that finished tied for the best overall defensive record in MLS.

Bill Hamid, meanwhile, was not included in the squad despite apparently being the current third-choice GK. United has clarified that Hamid is rehabbing a "minor" shoulder injury and will stay home as a result. With United facing CONCACAF Champions League play in just over six weeks, that makes perfect sense. It is unlikely that Hamid will lose his spot on Klinsmann's depth chart as a result.

Here is the full USMNT roster: