Landon Donovan Won’t Go To Belgium With USMNT

Vasquez’s appointment will surely draw the ire of some USMNT fans, who best remember the former Mexican Primera player for his part in Bayern Munich’s struggles and Chivas USA’s collapse last season. Vasquez was fired by Chivas USA after going 8-18-4 and finishing in the Western Conference’s basement.

But Vasquez and Klinsmann’s relationship goes much further back. They have been longtime friends and Klinsmann spoke highly of Vasquez’s work ethic, as well as his ability to go into the Hispanic community to help recruit. One of Klinsmann’s stated initiatives with the USMNT is expanding the player pool deeper into immigrant populations.

The two new call-ups will join the U.S. team in California for their training camp leading up to the friendlies. The team began arriving on Monday and will begin intensive training on Tuesday.

Pontius will bring some attacking wide play to the U.S. team that remains short on wingers. The 24-year-old is having the best year of his career for D.C. United and while he has taken part in training with the U.S. before he has never been capped. Spector give the U.S. an option at all four spots along the back line and has played in two matches for Championship side Birmingham this season after joining them from fellow relegated club West Ham in the summer.

Jurgen Klinsmann has named his 24-man roster for the upcoming friendlies with CONCACAF rival Costa Rica and European side Belgium.

The U.S. first hosts Costa Rica next Friday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3.com and Galavision. Four days later, coverage from King Baudouin Stadium begins at 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET) on ESPN and ESPN3.com.