A busy stretch for FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd got even busier while the second-year Oklahoma native was in Los Angeles for the club’s match with the Galaxy last weekend. That’s when Loyd found out he’d been added to the U.S. roster for their friendly with Mexico on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT on ESPN2).
Match Preview: USA faces Mexico in Jurgen Klinsmann's American coaching debut
"I talked with Coach Schellas [Hyndman] when we landed in L.A., and he said he had a conversation with Jurgen [Klinsmann, new U.S. head coach] about if I was available, because I had been banged up a little bit,” said Loyd, who was added after German-based defender Timmy Chandler suffered an injury. “Schellas and I talked and I told him I was good to go.
“Jurgen called me later that evening to congratulate me and said he was looking forward to seeing everyone that Sunday."
Loyd joined FC Dallas teammate and fellow USMNT call-up Brek Shea on a flight to Philadelphia, where the friendly was being held, early Sunday morning. A light training session was held Sunday evening, and the players have now had three full sessions to prepare for the match.
LIVE CHAT: Join a live chat with other USMNT fans during Wednesday night's game starting at 8 p.m. CT
"Training is going well,” said Loyd in a phone interview with FCDallas.com following Tuesday’s session. “We got in Sunday and did a light jog and stretching to loosen the legs. So far we've just had some short training because a lot of the guys were coming off games. The main focus is to get everyone recovered and ready for the match."
Loyd said his early impressions of the new U.S. skipper have been overwhelmingly positive.
“I think he [Klinsmann] has done an excellent job of getting everyone on the same page and going in the direction where he wants the national team to go,” said Loyd. “He’s well-organized and very professional, and he has a great supporting staff. So far, it's been a great experience."
The former University of North Carolina standout said he couldn’t predict what the starting lineup would look like come Wednesday night, but was just happy to be in camp for the first time under the German soccer legend.
"I'm just privileged to be here and to be a part of this process,” said Loyd. “Hopefully I get the opportunity to represent the U.S., but if not I'm just glad to be a part of this experience."
Although one might expect the young defender to be rooming with FCD teammate Shea during camp, he’s actually got a surprising partner this time around – Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman. But don’t expect any on-field rivalries to carry over, said Loyd.
"Everyone here has been really welcoming, and so far I've got nothing but great things to say about everybody,” Loyd said. “But it's always nice to have somebody you're familiar with like Brek when you're with a group of guys you don't really know.”
The first chance for the FC Dallas duo to show their skill under Klinsmann will come Wednesday night against El Tri, but for Loyd the opportunity to be in camp is an honor in itself.
"It's a great opportunity and I feel humbled to have been called into camp for this game,” Loyd said. “If it wasn't for all the people who've helped me along the way, I wouldn't be here, so I'm very thankful and honored."
