SLU alum named to 2011 national soccer squad

Former Saint Louis University men's soccer All-American Tim Ream has been called to the U.S. Men's National Team roster that will seek to capture the team's fifth CONCACAF Gold Cup title at the 2011 edition of the tournament, which takes place June 5-25 at 13 venues across the United States. 

Ream, USMNT assistant coach and former Billiken Mike Sorber and the USA will begin Group C play Tuesday, June 7, against Canada at Ford Field in Detroit at 7 p.m. (all times Central). Group play continues Saturday, June 11, against Panama at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

The group stage will end for the U.S. Tuesday, June 14, against Guadeloupe at 8 p.m. at the newly christened LIVESTRONG Park in Kansas City, Kan.

In addition, the U.S. will use the same roster to take on 2010 FIFA World Cup champion Spain in a friendly Saturday, June 4, in Foxborough, Mass. Kickoff against the current No.1-ranked team in the world is set for 3:30 p.m. (CT), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN.  Ream has earned three caps with the National Team, drawing starts against South Africa (Nov. 27, 2010), Chile (Jan. 22, 2011) and Paraguay (March 29, 2011).

Now in his second season with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, Ream was an MLS Rookie of the Year finalist and the 2010 Red Bulls Defender of the Year. He played every minute of every game, tallied one goal and helped the team concede an Eastern Conference-low 29 goals and earn 13 shutouts - both of which are franchise records.

Ream was drafted by the Red Bulls in the second round (18th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.  Ream played in all but one game during his four-year Billiken career from 2006-09, totaling 82 games played and 68 starts. He ended his career with 24 points (6G, 12A). The 2009 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Ream also was named to the NSCAA's All-America third team following his senior season.           

The United States has won four Gold Cup championships since the tournament began in 1991, including three of the last five, and has reached the final of the last three editions of the event. Remarkably, the U.S. has never lost a match in group play, holding a 23-0-2 all-time record. Overall, the U.S. has a 38-5-6 record in Gold Cup action. The winner of the 2011 Gold Cup will represent CONCACAF at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.