US Soccer announced the roster today for Bruce Arena’s first two friendlies, against Serbia and Jamaica. Steve Birnbaum, D.C. United center back and a semi-regular at this point for USMNT callups, will make the trip to Carson and Chattanooga, while Taylor Kemp will join D.C. United for preseason after his first invitation to national team camp.
Birnbaum has been a regular member of the USMNT’s 23 man roster since his first January camp two years ago. While he’s probably not at the top tier level of starters when the entire men’s national team is together (John Brooks and Geoff Cameron still lead there), Birnbaum is right behind them and will probably look to start one, if not both, of these January games.