Just days after joining the U.S. men's national team camp in California, Sounders FC captain Brad Evans was already among a handful of players that head coach Jurgen Klinsmann called out as providing leadership at a crucial point in the year.
"Our expectations, especially for the older, more experienced players—the veterans—is that they mentor the young ones," Klinsmann said on Wednesday. "We urge the older guys to look after them and pass on their knowledge...give them a hint, give them information because it's a huge challenge ahead of them. We want to go to Rio de Janeiro this summer."
Evans, 30, was called into camp on Monday ahead of the team's upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Canada. Evans last played for the USMNT in the CONCACAF Cup in October. He's one of a number of veterans in camp mixed with a slew of youngsters, including Sounders FC Academy product Jordan Morris, expected to join the group later this month.
"I think this mentoring part really clicks when you give them [the players] a lot of freedom," Klinsmann said on Wednesday. "We told players from the beginning, 'We provide you good training sessions, but the rest is your responsibility...we want you to take advantage of this camp and use this camp to give yourself a head start and prepare the best way possible for a successful year.'
"I think the players really took that message and are working really hard."
Evans, who was intially left off the January camp roster, appeared in eight games for the USMNT last year, including four in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has 25 career caps.
He is expected to join the Sounders at a later date during the preseason, ahead of the team's first competitive match in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Feb. 23 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
