Coach Bob Bradley has announced his roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago.
The stars and stripes will travel to Havana, Cuba for the first time in almost fifty years to take on Cuba next Wednesday. The match will be followed by a home date in Chicago against the Soca Warriors.
The roster looks similar to the squad that edged Guatemala in the first group match last week. The team has a mostly international look, with only six MLS players getting the call.
From the team that faced Guatemala, Bradley had dropped Pablo Mastroeni, who is nursing yet another hamstring injury. Not wanting to be short the necessary quota of defensive midfielders for his "empty bucket" scheme, Bradley has called in Ricardo Clark to take Mastroeni's place. Jay DeMerit was also dropped in favor of Danny Califf of Danish side FC Midtyjlland.
Toronto FC man Marvell Wynne will be looking for his second cap after a strong Olympic performance.
Carlos Bocanegra, who scored the game winner against Guatemala, will lead the defense. Steve Cherundolo, who received a red card against the chapines, has been called in but will need to sit out the Guatemala match. Michael Orozco of Mexico's San Luis has also received a surprise call in, after his Olympic debacle.
The midfield is relatively devoid of serious attacking midfielders, though Sasha Kljestan may be called upon to play the role. Maurice Edu, who is looking to debut with Rangers this weekend, will also once again be in camp.
Up front the usual suspects will be looking to improve on an anonymous performance in Guatemala, in which the entire forward group managed not a single shot on goal. Brian Ching and Clint Dempsey are once again on the roster, along with Landon Donovan. Eddie Johnson has been called in despite his recent demotion to Cardiff of the Championship.
After one game, the US is in second place in the four team group, trailing Trinidad and Tobago on goal differential. Last week, the Soca Warriors won at home against Cuba, 3-1.
Roster for Cuba & Trinidad Qualifiers
Goalkeepers
Guzan, Brad Aston Villa (England)
Howard, Tim Everton (England)
Defenders
Bocanegra, Carlos Rennes (France)
Califf, Danny FC Midtjylland (Denmark)
Cherundolo, Steve Hannover 96 (Germany)
Hejduk, Frankie Columbus Crew (MLS)
Onyewu, Oguchi Standard Liege (Belgium)
Orozco, Michael San Luis (Mexico)
Pearce, Heath Hansa Rostock (Germany)
Wynne, Marvell Toronto FC (MLS)
Midfielders
Beasley, DaMarcus Rangers (Scotland)
Bradley, Michael Heerenveen (Holland)
Clark, Ricardo Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Edu, Maurice Rangers (Scotland)
Kljestan, Sacha CD Chivas (MLS)
Lewis, Eddie LA Galaxy (MLS)
Forwards
Ching, Brian Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Dempsey, Clint Fulham (England)
Donovan, Landon LA Galaxy (MLS)
Johnson, Eddie Cardiff (England) |
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