Dynamo leading scorer Will Bruin and Corey Ashe were named to the U.S. national team’s Gold Cup roster, earning a crucial opportunity to leave an impression before national coach Jurgen Klinsmann begins preparing for the final World Cup qualifiers later this year.
“It’s awesome,” Bruin said. “It’s obviously always an honor to represent your country.”
Former Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden, who plays for Bolton in England’s second-tier Football League Championship, also was named to the Gold Cup roster.
The U.S. and defending Gold Cup champion Mexico are taking “B Teams” to the 2013 Gold Cup after using their top squads during World Cup qualifiers this month.
Ashe and Bruin will report to the national team on Monday to begin a training camp one day after the Dynamo play the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Ashe said. “It shows that my hard work has paid off and that Klinsmann really thinks I’ve been consistent. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of making the most of the Gold Cup.”
If the U.S. reaches the Gold Cup final, Ashe and Bruin will miss three Dynamo matches.
“I want it to be a statement camp, but I’m not going to expect it to be a statement,” Bruin said. “I want him to make Jurgen make tough decisions for the future for World Cup qualifying or the World Cup or whatever. I want to make him have to think about the options.”
The Gold Cup competition will run from July 7-28. The United States will face Belize on July 9 in Portland, Ore., before playing Cuba on July 13 in Sandy, Utah. The Americans will finish group play against Costa Rica on July 16 in East Hartford, Conn. The quarterfinals are July 20-21 in Atlanta and Balitmore. The semifinals are on July 24 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, and the final is on July 28 in Chicago.
