Sounders FC's Evans, Parke will join U.S. men's national team
Sounders FC's Evans, Parke will join U.S. men's national team
Sounders FC midfielder Brad Evans and defender Jeff Parke have been called into the U.S. men’s national team, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday evening.
Evans and Parke replace defenders George John, a Shoreline native, and Omar Gonzalez, who are addressing club-related matters. John, who played collegiately at Washington, is exploring a potential transfer overseas, according to FC Dallas. Gonzalez withdrew because of a possible loan opportunity, according to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Seattle Times first reported Evans’ call up Wednesday afternoon.
In December, coach Jurgen Klinsmann called in 20 players, mostly from MLS, for a training camp in preparation for international friendlies against Venezuela (Jan. 21) and Panama (Jan. 25). The camp, which runs through Jan. 26, will take place in Phoenix and Carson, Calif.
This marks the first time that Parke, a seven-year MLS veteran, has been called into the national team. The 29-year-old was voted Sounders FC’s Defender of the Year and said in October that he was bothered by constantly being overlooked by the USMNT.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes, but it’s all a part of the game,” he told The Seattle Times. “Some guys stand out and other guys are just those guys who put in the hard work and don’t get seen.”
The hard work paid off Wednesday.
Evans, 26, debuted with the national team during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His first of three tournament appearances came in Seattle, when he entered as a second-half substitute in a 4-0 group-stage win against Grenada.
A Phoenix native, Evans played mostly as a right back under previous U.S. coach Bob Bradley. His fourth and most recent international appearance came in February 2010, when he played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 exhibition win against El Salvador in Tampa, Fla.
Timbers sign
UW’s Richards
University of Washington senior forward Brent Richards has signed with the Portland Timbers as a homegrown player, the team announced Wednesday. Richards, a Camas native, played the past three seasons with the Timbers U-23 team of the United Soccer League Premier Development League. He qualifies as a homegrown signing having played club soccer with Eastside United FC, a Timbers-affiliated club team in Gresham, Ore.
Richards had 31 goals and 15 assists in 72 games with the Huskies and led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons. He was a four-time all-conference honoree and was named to the first team in 2010 and 2011.
In high school, Richards led the Camas Papermakers to state championships in 2006 and 2008. He was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season.
Joshua Mayers: 206-464-3184 or jmayers@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @joshuamayers
Source