Already hamstrung at least in part by injuries and other forced absences, Jurgen Klinsmann has called in a rather unexpected group of players for the United States' World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica (at home on March 22) and Mexico (at Azteca on March 26).
USMNT roster announced for USA vs. Mexico, Costa Rica
Jurgen Klinsmann will rely on an interesting mix of players, including a particularly untested defense, in World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.
Jim Rogash
Among the players missing from Klinsmann's roster at Tim Howard (injury), Fabian Johnson (injury), Timmy Chandler (injury), Danny Williams (illness) and Landon Donovan (self-imposed hiatus). In their place is a roster surprisingly heavy on MLS-based players and not a ton of experience.
Tony Beltran and Justin Morrow, for instance, are the only two natural fullbacks on the roster. They are just two of nine MLS players to be called in.
One of the biggest surprises was DeMarcus Beasley being named to the team. Although he’s the most experienced player on the roster with 97 caps, he has only made four appearances since the 2010 World Cup and hist last international goal was in 2008. Beasley has been a regular with Puebla, though, and has two goals in 11 appearances this season.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (World Cup qualifying Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa - 5/3 SO), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire - 0/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake - 0/0)
DEFENDERS (6): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake - 0/0), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City - 0/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City - 6/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy - 1/0), Clarence Goodson (Brondby - 5/0), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes - 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla - 26/6), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake - 2/0), Michael Bradley (Roma - 20/5), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana - 1/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor - 10/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 - 6/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht - 13/0), Brek Shea (Stoke City - 2/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City - 4/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar - 18/6), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna - 2/0), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur - 27/11), Herculez Gomez (Santos - 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC - 12/10)
See More:
