The Hexagonal
Klinsmann Names 23 for Sept. World Cup Qualifiers
In a break with recent patterns, Jurgen Klinsmann announced his latest U.S. roster more than a week before the next match—and he did so in a high-profile appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter.
JURGEN KLINSMANN ANNOUNCED his 23-man roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico on Thursday—eight full days before the first of the two matches.
Landon Donovan headlines the squad, returning to the senior team after having proven himself in the Gold Cup over the summer. Two new faces, John Brooks and Aron Johannsson, will have a chance to get their full international caps in the coming matches.
Here's the official roster.
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Puebla)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)
It's a solid squad, and Klinsmann seemed very confident that this team has what it takes to qualify for the World Cup.
"I think the Costa Rica game in Costa Rica is the biggest game of 2013, for all of us," he said. "We want to win there. We want to get three points. We want to qualify as soon as possible for the World Cup in Brazil."
"There are a lot of players that deserve to be in that roster as well," the coach added. "Think about a Clarence Goodson, think about a Jose Torres, think about a Sacha Kljestan, a Joe Corona, and many others that deserve to be there too. All of those players that are not called in are still in the loop going forward—there's no problem."
"We chose a group that is determined, that is hungry to win in Costa Rica, and therefore we are very optimistic."
What do you think? Like the squad? Think it can close the deal and start booking flights to Brazil? Tell us below?
