If Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron wants to be part of World Cup qualifying this summer, he’ll have to make his mark quickly after being called into the U.S. national team's camp in Orlando.
“Obviously to get called up with five games coming up is fantastic and I’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of me,” Cameron told MLSsoccer.com. “I’ve got to fight for a position, fight for time and fight for an opportunity and that’s what I am going to go there for.
“I’ve got to take full advantage of it. I’m excited to work with Jurgen and last time I had a great time with the guys and I’m trying to be a regular.”
Cameron was one of 11 players added on Sunday to the pool of 16 players already training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orland.
If the Dynamo center back is retained, he will be part of a U.S. squad that will take on Scotland (May 26), Brazil (May 30) and Canada (June 3) in friendlies before kicking off 2014 World Cup qualifying against Antigua and Barbuda (June 8) and Guatemala (June 12).
“These friendlies are all opportunities that you want to take advantage of,” said Cameron, who could miss up to three MLS matches if he lasts through the the entire camp. “You’ve got to take it one step at a time, have good training sessions and work your way from there. I’m excited to be a part of that.”
While Cameron may still be considered a new defender, he is anxious to turn his 2012 experience into production, especially that gained from his inclusion in the camp before Klinsmann’s signature 1-0 win over Italy in February. The 6-foot-4 defender was not on the gameday roster when the Yanks took down Italy in Genoa, but he was able to acclimate himself into a roster thought to be a player or two short of the best team the U.S. has to offer.
“I felt like I was part of the team,” Cameron said. “I was anxious to get in there but my time will come, and that’s what you have to keep working and training for this time. Being there you feel a part of the group and feel that we’re a team and there’s one goal and that’s to qualify for the World Cup and get there.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com..
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