The Columbus Crew’s Eddie Gaven, Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers were all named by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley to the 30-player training camp roster that will gather Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The annual camp held in January for players in their offseason is a largely domestic-based group that includes 25 players who ply their trade in the United States. Major League Soccer – and the Crew, in particular – is well represented, with 13 of 16 clubs contributing players to the Carson camp. The Black & Gold is one of only four MLS clubs to have three or more of its players named to the roster.

Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers made an appearance in a recent issue of Sports illustrated, as he answered questions for its regular “Pop Culture Grid” feature. Check it out below.

The Crew held its annual Fan Forum at Claddagh Irish Pub and the Standard (along with Crew photo guru Greg Bartram) was on hand to snap a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. The event was enjoyed by all, and the fans provided some great questions for Mark, Robert, Brian, Robbie and Danny to discuss. Thanks to all who made it out to Claddagh to participate and we hope to see you again tomorrow night (March 25) at the Arena Grand Movie Theatre for a Kick-Off Rally featuring the entire team. Read more…

Good morning Crew faithful. As many of you know, the Black & Gold downed an Everton reserve squad, 5-1, on Sunday in the Crew’s first of three matches during its England trip. Crew team administrator Tucker Walther once again come through in the clutch, as has provided us video of both of Chad Marshall’s goals from the match. You can check them out after the jump. Enjoy!

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U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 20 players — including Frankie Hejduk and Robbie Rogers of the MLS Cup-champion Crew — that will train in advance of the Feb. 11 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Crew Stadium. Kickoff for the USA’s most anticipated match of the final round is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and Univision.

Hejduk, now in his fourth qualifying cycle, has eight career appearances and two goals against Mexico, while Rogers hopes to pick up his second international cap in as many games.

The match on Wednesday will mark the third straight time that Crew Stadium has hosted the home leg of the final round World Cup qualifying series between the United States and Mexico. A small selection of tickets are still available.

We’re checking in briefly with a few news and notes for your Monday afternoon perusal:

On the U.S. Men’s National Team front, head coach Bob Bradley has made two changes to his 18 man roster for Wenesday’s WC Qualifier against Trinidiad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad, both of which involve Crew midfielders. Robbie Rogers is currently recovering from a sore back after the physical match against Chicago yesterday, and has been replaced by Chris Rolfe for the match. Alternately, Brian Carroll recieved a late call-up for Wednesday’s match to replace the injured Pablo Mastroeni. BC departed early Monday morning and will join Crew teammate Frankie Hejduk and the rest of the USMNT later this evening in Trinidad.

Meanwhile, Eddie Gaven’s skillful volley from yesterday’s match vs. the Fire has been nominated for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for Week 29. Gaven’s tally, which came in the 59th minute, was his third of the season, to go along with his two assists. Click here to view Eddie’s spectacular goal and register your vote!

And finally, the Crew Reserve squad dropped a 1-0 decision to the Fire Reserves following yesterday’s first team game, to move its record to 3-5-2 (11 pts.) for the season. The Reserves’ starting line-up and substitutions were as follows: Andy Gruenebaum (GK), Jed Zayner, Ryan Junge (Eric Brunner 60), Ezra Hendrickson, Andrew Peterson, Stefani Miglioranzi (Brian Plotkin 76), Duncan Oughton (Steve Gillespie 91+), Stanley Nyazamba, Emmanuel Ekpo, Steven Lenhart (George Joston 65), Jason Garey (Cory Elenio 65)

UPDATE: Robbie’s goal won GOTW honors for Week 26. Thanks to everyone who logged on and voted!!

Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers scored a thrilling game-winner in the Crew’s 3-1 victory over New York last Thursday (Sept. 18), and his decisive goal has been nominated for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honors for Week 26. Rogers’ screamer from 25+ yards out left New York goalkeeper Jon Conway with no chance, as the 2nd year midfielder earned his sixth tally of the season. Rogers now leads the Crew with three game-winning goals in 2008.

Check out Robbie’s game-winner below.

Midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo made his return to the Crew line-up last Saturday (Sept. 6), coming on as a substitute for Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the 4-0 victory over New England. Ekpo returned to the Crew last week after enjoying several days in his native Nigeria celebrating the Eagles’ silver medal performance in the Olympics. Congratulations go out to Emmanuel (Nigeria) and fellow Crew Olympian Robbie Rogers (U.S.), for their participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; the Black & Gold was well represented.

Click below for Robbie’s memories of his Olympic Opening Ceremonies experience as well as an exclusive photo of Emmanuel posing with his well-earned Olympic hardware.

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