Gordon hoping for elusive 1st cap with US

By Tim Reynolds

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Oct. 10 2012 2:50 p.m. MDT

FILE - This July 14, 2012 file photo shows San Jose Earthquakes' Alan Gordon celebrating after scoring against Real Salt Lake during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Santa Clara, Calif. Gordon is nearly 31 and thought his chances of ever seeing the U.S. men's national team were gone forever. Wrong. Gordon is in camp with the Americans this week, as they prepare for two matches that will decide if they still have hope of playing in the 2014 World Cup.

Jeff Chiu, File, Associated Press

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Summary

Alan Gordon stopped hoping for chances like this a long time ago.

MIAMI — Alan Gordon stopped hoping for chances like this a long time ago.

He turns 31 next week, making him the fifth-oldest player currently in camp with the U.S. national team. Except when it comes to international play like this, he's highly inexperienced — completely inexperienced, actually.

Gordon has never made an appearance with the national team. That might change in the coming days, when the Americans play two matches that will decide if they advance to the next round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The Americans play Friday on the road against Antigua and Barbuda, then in Kansas City on Oct. 16 against Guatemala.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard calls Gordon "a late bloomer."

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