Three Columbus Crew players called up to US National Team

November 9, 3:35 PMColumbus Crew ExaminerMatthew Bernhardt

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Robbie Rogers, along with Chad Marshall and Frankie Hejduk, has been called
in to the US National Team in advance of their exhibition against Slovakia
(AP Photo/George Frey)

With the Columbus Crew already eliminated from this year's MLS Cup playoffs, the road has been cleared for three players to travel to Europe for next week's international friendly between the United States and Slovakia. Veteran defenders Frankie Hejduk and Chad Marshall will join wing midfielder Robbie Rogers for the match. Former Crew forward Jeff Cunningham has also been included in the 22-man travel roster, along with Worthington, Ohio native goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Frankie Hejduk is the most experienced player on the roster, having appeared 84 times for the United States. Chad Marshall (10 caps) and Robbie Rogers (7) are relative newcomers; FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty is the only uncapped player to be named to the roster.

With four teams still competing in the MLS playoffs, and European leagues in full swing, coach Bob Bradley has left several national team regulars out of this trip, including all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan and first-choice goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The game against Slovakia will be played on Saturday, November 14th in the capital city of Bratislava. Slovakia has already qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, having won its qualifying group at the expense of the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

Fans will be able to follow the action from Slovakia via several outlets, primary among them Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision. Internet coverage will be available via US Soccer's Matchtracker system, with updates also posted to the Federation's Twitter channel.

After Saturday's game, the United States will stay in Europe for several days in order to face off against Denmark - who have also qualified for next summer's World cup - in Aarhus on Wednesday, November 18th. These two exhibitions will likely be the last games for the United States in 2009.