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ROBINSON, ROLFE SELECTED TO U.S. SOCCER TRAINING CAMP
Dec. 20, 2006 United States Soccer announced that former Dayton Flyers Dasan Robinson and Chris Rolfe will join the 29-man training camp roster that will begin workouts on Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. "It's a great feeling being named to this camp and participating with the best players in the states," said Rolfe. "I'm glad that Dasan has gotten the opportunity this year to experience it. He played a big role within our team this year, and he's been rewarded for his efforts." U.S. Men's National Team interim Head Coach Bob Bradley selected Robinson and Rolfe, along with additional MLS-based players, to prepare for the United States first match of 2007, a friendly against Denmark on Jan. 20 at The Home Depot Center. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 4 p.m. Central (and will be tape-delayed on Univision). Fans can also follow the game live via MatchTracker on ussoccer.com. "Coach Bradley has built a great resume while being in the MLS and has a good reputation amongst the players that he's coached. I'm excited to get a chance to get to know him and to be integrated into another coaching style," Rolfe said. At UD, Robinson played in 68 games between 2002 and 2005. He finished his Flyer career with six goals and 13 assists and was selected by the Fire as the pick in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. With Chicago, Robinson moved his way up the depth chart during the preseason and found himself a sudden starter in central defense. The 22-year-old Elyria, Ohio native started in all 23 of his regular season appearances during his rookie season and scored one goal, a game-winner on Aug. 26 in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. This is Robinson's first U.S. National Team appearance. "The call up is a great chance to experience the best that our country has to offer in soccer," said Robinson. "I'm very anxious to see how things work on that level. I thank God and am very thankful for the opportunity to try and represent our national team." As UD's all-time assist leader with 25, Rolfe was selected to the 2004 NSCAA/adidas Men's NCAA Division I All-America Second Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 pick. Rolfe ranks sixth in career goals (31) and third in points (87). Rolfe was drafted by the Fire in 2005 and scored eight goals and five assists in 29 contests. He finished the 2006 MLS season with seven goals - just one shy of his 2005 team-leading total - and one assist in 21 games. In international play, Rolfe earned the first of four senior international caps on Nov. 12, 2005 at Scotland, coming in during the 58th minute in the USA's 1-1 draw in Glasgow. He tallied his first start and assist for the U.S. MNT on Feb. 19, 2006 against Guatemala, playing 80 minutes en route to a 4-0 win. Then U.S. Manager Bruce Arena named him as one of 12 alternates for the USA's 2006 World Cup squad. "This is a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at a wide variety of domestic-based players as we begin a new World Cup cycle," said Bradley. "Along with some experienced players, we have quite a few players who will be getting their first exposure to the national team. Obviously, the goal for developing our team is to be ready for World Cup qualifying in 2008, and this is where we start. At the same time, we want to be prepared to compete against Denmark, and many of these players have recently had a long break from soccer. With only a short period of time to prepare, we will have to work very hard to get our players both physically and mentally ready to play." UD is one of six schools with multiple selections to the camp. UCLA led with three former players, while Dayton, Virginia, Portland, Furman and Wake Forest each tallied two. Dayton finished the 2006 campaign 6-9-2, but ended the season on a four-game unbeaten streak. Rolfe and Robinson are two of five UD alums playing the MLS, soccer's highest professional level in North America. ROSTER BY POSITION
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