(September 4, 2007) – Kansas City Wizards forwards Eddie Johnson and Davy Arnaud have been named to Bob Bradley’s squad for an upcoming friendly against international power Brazil September 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Johnson has been a key figure in Bradley’s team this season, appearing in 10 games and scoring two goals. Should Arnaud appear in the match, it will be his first-career appearance for the senior national team. Brazil has called in their “A” team for the match, with the likes of Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Kaka (AC Milan), Daniel Alves (Sevilla) and Gilberto Silva (Arsenal) and Robinho (Real Madrid) named to their roster.
“It’s always an honor to have two players chosen to the National Team squad for a high-quality friendly like this one against Brazil,” Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. “Eddie (Johnson) has shown his ability for the national team for the last few years, and Davy (Arnaud) has been on the radar for a while now, but injuries have kept him out of camp in the past. Having two forwards out of four on the National Team roster is a credit to the style of play that we’ve adopted and implemented all season.”
Johnson and Arnaud have proven dangerous throughout the MLS season. Johnson currently leads the Wizards in scoring with 14 goals and 4 assists. Arnaud has also been a key component to the Wizards attack, with 4 goals and 6 assists. Johnson is currently tied with Juan Pablo Angel of New York and Luciano Emilio of D.C. United for the league lead in goals. Arnaud is second on the Wizards in assists and tied for 5th in MLS.
“This is such an honor to finally make it into National Team camp,” Arnaud said. “I’ve been invited before, but was never able to attend. Every player dreams of someday playing for their country against a team like Brazil. I’m really looking forward to training this week and hopefully making the squad Sunday.”
Johnson and Arnaud are two of five players from Major League Soccer included in the team. Fulham FC of the English Premier League is the only club other than the Wizards to have two players named to Bradley’s roster for the match.
Johnson, who has made 30 appearances for National Team and scored 11 goals, is equally thrilled to be included in the U.S. National Team camp.
“I hopefully have a lot more years left playing for my country,” Johnson said. “It is always an honor, and I will continue to work hard and try to do what is asked, which is to score goals.”
The United States, 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions, host five-time World Champion and 2007 Copa America Champions Brazil in a match-up touted as the Clash of Champions. Brazil will then travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts for a rematch against Mexico at Gillette Stadium on September 12.
The United States is 1-11 against Brazil, winning 1-0 in February 1998 during the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles. In their last meeting, Brazil won 2-1 in overtime during the 2003 Gold Cup on goals by Diego and Kaka. Brazil is currently ranked number 1 in FIFA’s world rankings.
Training began Monday in Chicago. Johnson and Arnaud will rejoin the Wizards next week following Sunday’s match.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (2): Tim Howard (Everton FC), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
Forwards (4): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich)
