According to a report which first appeared on MLSsoccer.com, the Columbus Crew threesome of Ethan Finlay, Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp will be called into the United States Men's National Team's annual January Camp. The camp is always a chance for North American-based players to get a chance to make an impression on USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who may not have had a chance to call them up earlier due to club committments, and will be no different this year. The USMNT will host Iceland at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on January 31st before hosting Canada at the same venue on February 5th.
It's unsurprising that the young American members of Columbus' core will be receiving call-ups given their sterling play in MLS this season. Columbus finished second in the league's Eastern Conference, seven points off the Supporters' Shield-winning New York Red Bulls, and went on a playoff run which culminated in an appearance in the 2015 MLS Cup Final. Although the Crew fell to the Portland Timbers in the Cup Final, these three were terrific all season.
Ethan Finlay
Finlay got off to a flying start in MLS this season, and had double digit assists at the All-Star Break. While making 34 appearances over the course of the Regular Season, Finlay scored 12 goals while assisting on 13 occasions, and added one more critical goal during Columbus' postseason run. Many have clamored for the Marshfield, Wisconsin native to be called up, and he now has.
Tony Tchani
The dual-national who could represent either the United States or Cameroon will now have a decision to make. He anchored the Columbus midfield all season long while scoring five goals, and passed up an international call-up from the Indomitable Lions to recuperate from an injury during the MLS Cup Playoffs. The former ACC Freshman of the Year and National Champion at the University of Virginia could be a potential solution to the USMNT's seemingly never ending problem in central midfield.
Wil Trapp
Although Tchani could be seen as someone who could help the Red, White and Blue in the center of the park, the man long hailed as the USMNT's long term savior in that area is Wil Trapp. The 22-year-old Gahanna, Ohio native received his first cap for the senior national team during last year's January Camp, but had a hard time getting over a concussion this season. He made just 17 regular season appearances, which did a lot to rule him out of the international reckoning. However, he will now get another chance to make his case for future appearances with one eye on the Copa America Centenario this summer.