United's Ibarra to make rare jump and train with U.S. soccer team

Clint Dempsey. Landon Donovan. Tim Howard.

Miguel Ibarra?

Ibarra, a midfielder for Minnesota United FC, will train with American soccer's most prestigious players as part of a 10-day camp, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. An official announcement from U.S. Soccer is expected Sunday.

Ibarra will become the first player from a second-tier league in North America to receive a call-up since 2005.

"It would be a dream come true," said Ibarra, 24, recently named the North American Soccer League player of the month for September. "I've always dreamed about this since I was a little kid. It would be a great experience working with players who have been around a long time. I would try to take it all in and learn from it."

About 30 players will be on the camp roster and 18 of them will play in friendly matches against Ecuador on Oct. 10 and Honduras on Oct. 14.

Ibarra, a California native, has contributed eight goals and five assists this season. United FC, winners of the spring season championship, ranks first in the fall season standings heading into Saturday's game against Atlanta at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine. Ibarra is expected to miss the next two NASL matches.

"On a personal level, the ability to represent your country is such a special feeling," said United coach Manny Lagos, who played for the U.S. in the 1992 Summer Olympics and with the national team from 2001-03. "On the soccer side, it's going to be up to Miguel to use this experience to become better. And I think he will because that's the kind of attitude he has."

One of league's fastest and most fit players, the 5-7 Ibarra has improved in the final third of the field — the offensive area where plays are made and goals are scored. Teammate Jamie Watson, who first played with then-rookie Ibarra in 2012, has seen him evolve into a more complete player.

"In the past it was like Miguel was saying, 'I'll just run and I'll figure it out when I get there,' " Watson said. "Now you can see the wheels turning. His soccer IQ is coming up to speed with his physical attributes."

Ibarra said he believes the buzz surrounding his expected call-up has benefited the entire NASL.

"It shows [U.S. men's coach Jurgen] Klinsmann is going to start recruiting from anywhere as long as he thinks you can play," Ibarra said. "It's going to open a lot of doors up for NASL players that are hungry."

It's about time, NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson said.

"It's still a hypothetical but Miguel is a great player and a great person and he's earned his shot," Peterson said. "But it's not totally unexpected. It's interesting to see the media finally waking up to the league we have. We're unfortunately penalized for being a second-division league. But that hasn't stopped us from building incredible soccer clubs."

Said Lagos: "Some leagues maybe have bigger budgets but we're all putting pro soccer players on the field to help younger players develop."

Ibarra acknowledged struggling with his focus this week in preparation for Saturday's match. But teammates understand.

"If he gets a chance, he'll be playing with players who are even better than him," said Watson, who played on national teams from ages 17 to 23. "I hope he soaks up everything from that experience. This will be a test of his character but I think he'll respond well."

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574