Luis Robles to start for USMNT vs Jamaica

Sacha Kljestan and Kemar Lawrence won't be representing the New York Red Bulls in Friday's friendly between the US Men's National Team and Jamaica - but RBNY's starting goalkeeper and MLS Iron Man Luis Robles will.

Per soccer reporter Steven Goff, USMNT head coach Bruce Arena said that Robles will get the start for the team in their final match of the January camp.

Arena says @luisrobles1984 will start vs Jamaica #usmnt

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 2, 2017

US Soccer subsequently seconded:

Arena also confirmed that @NewYorkRedBulls @luisrobles1984 will get the start in goal vs. Jamaica. pic.twitter.com/o9jFdIHb6K

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) February 3, 2017

Robles has only been capped for the USMNT twice in his career, first in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Haiti - a 2-2 draw - and then, after a seven-year layoff, he was called up for a January 2016 friendly against Iceland, which ended in a 3-2 USMNT win.

After leading MLS in clean sheets last year, Robles was called into USMNT's January camp, but found himself below veteran Nick Rimando and DC United star Bill Hamid on the depth chart. Hamid was injured early in camp though and Rimando was given the start in the friendly against Serbia, turning in a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.

Robles has given up two goals in both of his previous games for the team, so pitching a shutout against the Reggae Boyz  would be a significant personal milestone and might help put him in the frame for more national team call-ups later in the year.