Jurgen Klinsmann has
finalized his roster for the U.S. men's national team's upcoming World Cup
qualifiers.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton),
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Thoughts:
Rimando has been fearless in goal for RSL this year but don't be surprised to see the captain of the old guard Howard lead the Yanks to victory.
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron
(Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice
Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim),
Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
Thoughts:
It's incredible how
international this squad is and that holds especially true for the backs. With
just one player displaying his trade on this side of the pond, expect emphasis
on stylistically European defending. This is an old group with an average age
of over 28 but that experience could be crucial for a pair of vastly important
fixtures.
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley
(Roma), Joe Corona (Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan
(Anderlecht), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi
(Sporting KC)
Thoughts:
No real surprises
here. Beckerman has been a driving force in RSL's climb to second in the
western conference, while others like Kljestan and Williams have been powering
their way through northern Europe. The biggest surprise comes in the form of
Graham Zusi, with just 4 caps but his inclusion is more than warranted after a monster season
with Sporting KC thus far (5 goals and an MLS-leading 15 assists).
Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Landon Donovan
(LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie
Johnson (Seattle Sounders)
Ah the
strikers! The ongoing question remains for the U.S. as to where they can find
goals. In the opinion of Klinsmann, it's not with Jozy Altidore (at least not
right now). Altidore will have to watch from afar as the likes of Eddie
Johnson and Herculez Gomez take his place. Johnson, by the way, rejoins the
national team for the first time in over two years. Elsewhere, San Jose
Earthquakes star Steve Wondolowski, who leads MLS in goals with an ungodly 25
is also omitted.
The
U.S. plays at Antigua and Barbuda on Friday at 7 E.T. (BeIN Sport) and in Kansas
City next Tuesday against Guatamala (7 P.M. ET ESPN2)
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