By Ridge Mahoney in Carson, Calif.

(The USA takes on Denmark Sunday at the Home Depot Center — 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT, live on ESPN)

CARSON, Calif. — Another year, another U.S. friendly, and another chance for national team coach Bruce Arena to test a Galaxy midfielder at right back.

Twelve months ago, Sasha Victorine debuted for the USA in its first international of 2003 and played 77 minutes in a 4-0 rout of Canada. On Sunday, Chris Albright takes the field against Denmark at The Home Depot Center in his newest position.

In his MLS career he's, he's played up front and in midfield. Most of his national-team experience is in midfield, yet he'll earn his eighth U.S. cap in the rearguard.

''Yeah, it seems like I'm moving back again,'' says Albright, who has played mostly as a wide midfielder with the Galaxy but might be used at right back by his MLS team this season. ''The way we play with the Galaxy, in that 3-5-2 the wide guys have to go end-to-end, so in that way it's really not that different.

''We play four in the back here, so there won't be the same responsibility. There's a lot to learn defensively, and yeah, you can get exposed there, but the guys I've been helping me and to be honest, if that gets me on the field then I'm all for it.''

He's been playing right back during much of the two-week training camp, including a scrimmage Wednesday against the U.S. under-23s, a 0-0 tie that also marked his 25th birthday.

Crew defender Frankie Hejduk is in camp. Right back is where he plays for Columbus, yet Arena likes the crossing and service Albright brings to the position. Tony Sanneh, another converted midfielder, peaked at right back during the 2002 World Cup and although the 2006 tournament is a long way away, tinkering is what international friendlies are for.

''We'll see how he does,'' says Arena. ''He's good with the ball and we can use that going forward.''

Arena envisions numerous substitutions with his squad, of which only Robbie Russell (Norwegian club Sogndal) and ex-Quake Wade Barrett (Danish team AGF Aarhaus) are not drawn from MLS clubs. Russell is hobbled by an Achilles' tendon injury and is unlikely to make the game roster. A calf injury has sidelined Pat Noonan of New England.

DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan and Bobby Convey all played the first 45 minutes for the U.S. under-23s in a 2-1 victory over Salvadoran club Aguila on Friday night, and they are expected to play about the same amount of time against the Danes on Sunday.

''There are three substitutions right there,'' says Arena. ''We have a few other guys who'd I'd like to get a look at.'' The coaches have agreed to use no more than seven subs.

Kerry Zavagnin is in camp for the first time in three years, Chris Klein played seven games last year after being injured early in 2002, and World Cup veteran Josh Wolff is back after not suiting up for the USA at all in 2003. Those three comprise the Kansas City contingent looking for playing time off the bench. Wizards defender Nick Garcia is in the starting lineup.

Jonny Walker of the MetroStars will earn his first cap in goal.

''He's a little bit ahead of the other keepers we brought in,'' says Arena, while citing that Joe Cannon (Colorado), Zach Thornton (Chicago) and Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles) have done well. ''To be honest, I could pick our starting keeper out of a hat and not be worried about it.''

Convey, who starred for the U.S. under-20s in the World Youth Championship last month as an attacking midfielder, will reprise the left back role he played for the national team last year at the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup.

Of the 20 players whom Denmark has brought, 17 have four or fewer caps, and nine have none. All play in the Danish Superligaen. Only Morten Wieghorst of Brondby (29 caps, 3 goals) is a regular with the national team. He is the captain and was the 2003 Danish Player of the Year.

Strikers Tommy Bechmann (Esbjerg FB) and Steffen Hojer (OB) have only one cap between them, but they lead the Danish league in goals with 14 and 13, respectively. Denmark is coached by one of the country's greatest players, Morten Olsen, who was a member of the Danish team chosen as a last-minute replacement for Yugoslavia at the 1992 European Championships and with a stunning run of upsets won the title.

''They are always strong players, good players,'' says U.S. goalkeeping coach Milutin Soskic. ''And remember what they did in 1992.''

Soskic would remember. He was born in Yugoslavia. Denmark and the USA last played in 1997 at the Rose Bowl, a 4-1 Danish romp fueled by Per Pedersen, who scored all four of his country's goals. Ralston is the only U.S. returnee from the Americans who played in that match.

A crowd of about 10,000 is expected for the game Sunday, which will be shown live on ESPN at 3:30 ET. Announcing the game will be Rob Stone and former national team veteran Marcelo Balboa.

USA starters: Jonny Walker; Chris Albright, Eddie Pope, Nick Garcia, Bobby Convey; Steve Ralston, Chris Armas, Richard Mulrooney, DaMarcus Beasley; Landon Donovan, Ante Razov.