While not at the adidas Timbers Training Center this week for the opening of the Portland Timbers 2016 preseason, Darlington Nagbe has certainly been putting in work. Called into the U.S. Men's National Team's January camp, Nagbe has been training at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. as they prepare for a friendly there Sunday afternoon (12:45pm PT, ESPN2).
And Nagbe's work has been noticed.
"Both are very gifted players, and both are very driven players. I think Darlington, especially in the attacking third, can really make a difference because he's calm on the ball, he has great vision, he sees runs of players, and he knows how to connect all the way around. Very complete in what he's doing."
Klinsmann also believes Nagbe's offensive spark can be an asset for a U.S. team exploring new attacking options. In an interview with ESPNFC.com, Klinsmann continued to praise Nagbe's ability to tie the game together.
"Darlington has this natural gift to keep things flowing," he said.
Ever humble, Nagbe told ESPNFC.com in the same story that the work he's doing within the national team camp is very similar to what he tries to do with Portland.
"My mentality here is the same as it is with the Timbers: Be patient and wait for the opportunity to show what you can do," he said. "Keep it simple, make sure you're clean with your touches, and then when you do get gaps and opportunities you try to take them."
Once finished with the January USMNT camp, Nagbe will be set to join his Timbers teammates in Tucson to prepare for the 2016 MLS season.
