Jonathan Spector faces a major FIFA World Cup qualifying test next Wednesday as he bids to help the United States record their first victory away to Mexico.
The 23-year-old appears to have established himself as the first-choice right-back for the US after playing every minute of each of their five games at the FIFA Confederations Cup earlier this summer. Spector's side only lost out to Brazil in the final but face a similarly tough test in trying to defeat Mexico in the Azteca Stadium in front of 100,000 fans.
Spector will link up with his team-mates in Miami on Sunday for a training camp before the trip to Mexico on Tuesday. The US are second in the CONCACAF qualifying zone with ten points, one more than the fourth-placed Mexicans. Only the top three nations will qualify automatically for South Africa next year with a play-off for the team in fourth.
With his US call-up, the 18-times capped Spector joins England Under-21s James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas plus Wales trio James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Jack Collison on international duty next week. Fabio Capello will name his senior England party later on Saturday for the trip to the Netherlands with Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all in the frame for inclusion.