Real Salt Lake: Robbie Findley makes U.S. World Cup training camp roster; Davies left off

SANDY — Robbie Findley is one step closer to realizing his World Cup dream.

The Real Salt Lake striker was named to the U.S. National Team preliminary roster that will gather in Princeton, N.J. this weekend to train for a pair of World Cup tune-up matches later this month.

Of the 30 players on the preliminary roster, 23 will ultimately be selected by coach Bob Bradley to represent the United States at the World Cup in South Africa.

"The last couple days I've been thinking about it, but I just figured whatever's supposed to happen will happen. It's definitely a good feeling to be part of that group and to get the opportunity to win a spot on the 23-man roster," said Findley.

The deadline to submit 23-man rosters to FIFA is June 1. The World Cup kicks off June 10, and the first U.S. match is against England on June 12.

Findley is one six forwards invited to camp along with Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Brian Ching, Herculez Gomez and Eddie Johnson.

"Really pleased for him. It's great that he's come so far so quickly, and he's still such a young player," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "I don't even think we're scraping the surface of what he's capable of."

That potential is a big reason why the 24-year-old was selected to the preliminary roster.

A year after leading Real Salt Lake with 12 goals, Findley has yet to notch a goal in the 2010 campaign. He's also been dealing with a groin strain and in last Saturday's match against Philadelphia he left in the first half with a bruised back.

Despite Findley's lack of production, Kreis believes he's been rounding into form the past couple weeks. A solid showing against Houston would be a great send-off.

"Hopefully he can have a good game on Thursday night and send him on his way with confidence 'cause he's going to need to prove he belongs," said Kreis.

Following RSL's ESPN2 match against Houston this Thursday, Findley will depart for U.S. National Team camp and miss a minimum of two RSL matches. If he's named to the 23-man World Cup squad he'll miss a minimum of three additional matches.

Considering his lack of scoring in MLS this year, not to mention the same lack of production in his four previous stints with the Yanks, perhaps more so than any of the other forwards he has something to prove in camp.

"One thing I have is the pace. That's one of the big things that's given me this opportunity," said Findley.