Wizards' Conrad rejoins national team

By RANDY COVITZ

The Kansas City Star

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Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad has joined the United States national team for training in advance of Saturday’s friendly at Slovakia, which, like the U.S., also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The match kicks off at 9 a.m. CT and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. The United States will then travel to Denmark for another friendly next Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. CT in a game shown on ESPN.

U.S. head coach Bob Bradley will consider making changes to the squad following Saturday’s match at Slovakia before the team will make their first ever visit to Denmark for the USA’s 24th and final match of the year.

Conrad has appeared 26 times in a U.S. uniform, including two matches during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Conrad played in two matches for the U.S. during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, suffering a concussion during the first half of a quarterfinal against Panama that forced him to miss the semifinals and final.

Conrad has appeared 26 times for the U.S. national team since 2005 and scored one goal. Conrad’s lone international goal was a game-winning header in a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico Feb. 7, 2007. He was on the game day roster for each of the USA’s final two World Cup qualifiers, though he did not see the field in either match.

Former Wizards forward Eddie Johnson, now with Fulham FC of the English Premier League, also made the roster. Johnson has appeared for the United States 37 times, scoring 12 goals.

Johnson played for Kansas City during 2006-2007. Johnson scored 17 goals in MLS play over that time, putting him in 9th place on the Kansas City’s all-time goals list. Johnson set career highs in goals (15) and assists (6) in 2007 for the Wizards. Johnson then transferred to Fulham FC in January of 2008.

To reach Randy Covitz, call 816-234-4796 or send e-mail to rcovitz@kcstar.com.

Posted on Mon, Nov. 09, 2009 12:58 PM

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