Jurgen Klinsmann has named a 21-man roster for the United States men's national team friendly against Italy, and it features a couple of surprises and some encouraging returns. The most notable is Jose Francisco Torres, who has recovered from a broken foot and has been recalled to the team, thanks to some good recent performances for Pachuca.
USMNT Roster For USA Vs. Italy Announced
Jurgen Klinsmann has announced his 21-man roster for the USMNT’s upcoming friendly against Italy.
A bit surprisingly, the team features some players who not only do not play regularly for their club teams, but who also won't be playing regularly for their club teams in the near future. Borussia Dortmund II forward Terrence Boyd gets a call, though it's tough to blame Klinsmann for calling in a talented forward who isn't playing regular first team football given the USMNT's lack of depth at the position. Jermaine Jones is also in the squad, despite being frozen out at Schalke. Brad Guzan has earned a recall after playing some games with Aston Villa recently.
Edson Buddle recently returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy, and his lack of recent playing time isn't a concern regarding his selection. He will be first choice for LA shortly. Geoff Cameron, Jonathan Spector and Michael Parkhurst have earned returns to the team due to their solid club form. Here's the entire roster (positions as listed by US Soccer).
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timothy Chandler (Nürnburg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
Midfielders (7): Michael Bradley (Chievo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
Forwards (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Though Spector and Chandler have played left back, the roster features no natural left back. This means that Fabian Johnson could conceivably get a run at the position, even though he’s listed as a midfielder. Donovan is listed as a forward, but will almost certainly play wide and isn’t going to play any higher up the pitch than Dempsey, who is listed as a midfielder.
The USMNT faces Italy on Feb. 29 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa. You can catch the game on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision.
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