I’ve been waiting for the announcement to be official, the buzz has been high since Jack returned to Springfield last week for the holiday’s. Our local boy reaches his next goal, breaking bread with the US Men’s National Team! Here are a few details and links to stories from US Soccer, the SLU Billikens and the KC Wizards respectively.

CHICAGO (December 30, 2008) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named 25 players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The group will prepare for the USA’s first match of 2009, a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 at The Home Depot Center. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision beginning at 5:30 p.m. PT. Fans can also follow the game live via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Brian Ching is the leading capwinner on the roster with 32 appearances. At the other end of the experience spectrum, there are 19 players on the roster with 10 caps or less, and nine will be in search of their first-ever appearance with the full team (including Jack).

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ST. LOUIS – Former Billiken Jack Jewsbury (1999-2002) is one of 25 players named by U.S. National Team head coach Bob Bradley to the training camp roster that will begin workouts Jan. 4, 2009, at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Jewsbury has played the last six seasons with the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. Drafted 43rd overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, he has increased his playing time each year. In 2008, Jewsbury notched three goals and recorded seven assists while starting all 29 matches for the Wizards. For his career, he has 12 goals and 15 assists to his credit.

An Academic All-American at SLU in 2002, Jewsbury is tied for 10th on SLU’s all-time scoring list with 101 points (38G, 25A). During his freshman season in 1999, he finished third on the club in scoring and was named a second-team All-Region selection. Jewsbury enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore, claiming All-America honors and Conference USA Player of the Year distinction after leading the Billikens with 31 points (13G, 5A).

Jewsbury missed some time in 2001 due to injury but still garnered All-Region and All-Conference honors after registering seven goals and seven assists. In 2002, he was SLU’s second-leading scorer with 29 points (10G, 9A) en route to collecting C-USA first-team All-Conference honors.

Jewsbury will be reunited with current U.S. National Team assistant coach and SLU volunteer assistant coach Mike Sorber, who was the Billikens’ top assistant coach during Jewsbury’s junior and senior seasons. Sorber is in his second full season as assistant for the U.S. National Team after being named to the position in July 2007.

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Congrats Jack! Our favorite attacking midfielder/right winger/right back/holding midfielder Jack Jewsbury is getting a look from Bob Bradley and the U.S. National Team. In all seriousness, Mr. Jewsbury had a great year for our boys in blue. After he moved to the central holding midfield role, we went 5-1-1 to close the regular season.

In all likelyhood, Jack will be battling with Ricardo Clark and Brian Carroll for holding midfield duties in the Sweden game. If he can put in a good showing, Jack could potentially become a more regular candidate for the National Team. Hopeful Mr. Bob Bradley likes what he sees! We Wizards faithful know Jack is capable.

Jack says:
“It’s quite an honor to be called in by your national team. As a player, you always strive to reach that level. I’m excited to show the coaches what I can do and represent the Kansas City Wizards well.”

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Heck of a Christmas present for one of our local heroes. He’s been offering his personal perspective on training and developing the youth player at Lake Country Soccer this week, the final day is tomorrow. You might be able to get a photo or two and an autograph if you time your visit properly. And be certain to look for his weekly blog to return next week as he heads to California. He’s promised me one more report after taking the holidays off. I’m trying to convince him there is demand for him to continue his blogging effort during Camp although he’s obviously concerned about being focused on the reason for his visit. What do you think, would you like to hear from him personally? Leave a comment so he can get some feedback!

And add January 24th to your calendar. We’ll have a watch party at Coester’s that evening for the game against Sweden!!

dubaiescorts me