US squad off to Brazil for World Cup dry run

Chicago: US coach Jurgen Klinsmann will take all 26 players from the team`s training camp in Southern California on a two-week World Cup "dry run" trip to Brazil that starts Monday.

The former star for Germany was only planning to take 23 players to south America for the continuation of the development workouts that conclude with a February 1 friendly at Los Angeles against South Korea. Instead, Klinsmann will avoid trimming the lineup so more players can become accustomed to the hotel and training facility the Americans will use in June in Sao Paulo. "We have been extremely pleased with the performance of the group in the first week," Klinsmann said. "The players came in very fit and have done really well in training. "Therefore, we believe they have all earned a chance to go to Brazil for these next 12 days. We are excited about getting down to Sao Paulo and continuing the work. This is a huge opportunity to get to know our environment for the World Cup." The Americans will be based at the training site of Sao Paulo FC, where they will operate their World Cup base camp later this year. The team will conduct daily workouts and two private scrimmages during their South American stay. The camp roster features only one player -- Rosenborg midfielder Mix Diskerud -- not from Major League Soccer, the North American league that does not start a new season until March. Top players on European sides remain with their clubs but will ceetainly figure into the final US roster to be named in May. Among those in the Brazil-bound group are US all-time scoring leader Landon Donovan, veteran striker Eddie Johnson and Sporting Kansas City midfielders Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi.