Ugo Ihemelu invited to U.S. National Team training camp

[Webmaster]

SMU alum Ugo Ihemelu invited to U.S. National Team training camp
Pony one of eight defenders invited

Dec. 21, 2005
DALLAS (SMU) - Former SMU standout and current Los Angeles Galaxy player Ugo Ihemelu (Cedar Hill, Texas) was one of 30 players named by U.S. national team head coach Bruce Arena on Tuesday that will convene at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for the first training camp of 2006, scheduled to take place Jan. 4-20.

The U.S. will begin its final preparations for next summer's FIFA World Cup in Germany with three games early in the New Year, though other friendly encounters are still in the works. The U.S. will open 2006 with a clash with northern neighbors Canada on Jan. 22 in San Diego, Calif. The side will then return to The Home Depot Center to play host to Norway on Jan. 29, before heading north to San Francisco to face Japan on Feb. 10.
The U.S. national team was drawn into Group E for Germany 2006, where they will face the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana in the opening round.
Complete U.S. national team roster for Jan. 4-20 camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.:

Freddy Adu -- M -- D.C. United
Chris Albright -- D -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Brian Carroll -- M -- D.C. United
Brian Ching -- F -- Houston
Ricardo Clark -- M -- Houston
Jim Conrad -- D -- Kansas City Wizards
Clint Dempsey -- M -- New England Revolution
Landon Donovan -- F -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Todd Dunivant -- D -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Brad Guzan -- GK -- Chivas USA
Kevin hartman -- GK -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Frankie Hejduk -- D -- Columbus Crew
Ugo Ihemelu -- D -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Nate Jaqua -- F -- Chicago Fire
Eddie Johnson -- F -- FC Dallas
Justin Mapp -- M -- Chicago Fire
Chad Marshall -- D -- Columbus Crew
Kyle Martino -- M -- Columbus Crew
Pablo Mastroeni -- M -- Colorado Rapids
Pat Noonan -- M -- New England Revolution
Ben Olsen -- M -- D.C. United
Heath Pearce -- D -- FC Nordsjaelland (Norway)
Eddie Pope -- D -- Real Salt Lake
Santino Quaranta -- M -- D.C. United
Steve Ralston -- M -- New England Revolution
Matt Reis -- GK -- New England Revolution
Chris Rolfe -- F -- Chicago Fire
Taylor Twellman -- F -- New England Revolution
Jonny Walker -- GK -- Columbus Crew
Josh Wolff -- F -- Kansas City Wizards


From SMU athletic department

[PonyPride]

Ihemelu got in to the game today, playing about 15 minutes as the United States blew out Norway, 5-0.

[mustangbill67]

It would be great for his career if he made it (also a feather in SMU's cap). Will try to find out what his realistic chances are. U.S. National Team plays Guatamala National Team February 19 in Frisco. Already have my tickets. Hopefully Ugo will get to play.

[EastStang]

The other question is whether Mynor Gonzales will be playing for Guatamala.