U.S. National Team
Who Will Klinsmann Call For The October Friendlies?
Landon Donovan will be on the next U.S. roster—we all know that. But what about the remainder of the team? Will Klinsmann go young? Pick the best available talent? And what about MLS conflicts?
JURGEN KLINSMANN PROBABLY won't release his next United States national team roster for a few more weeks, but when he does it should provide some real insight into the future of the squad.
Who will get the call for the Ecuador (7pm October 10; ESPN) and Honduras (8pm October 14; ESPN, UniMas) matches? Who will be snubbed? There are numerous factors at play.
First, as ESPN's Doug McIntyre reported, the roster could feature as many as 30 players—a very large group. Second, Klinsmann has already said that he will be bringing in his top team, including Landon Donovan, despite the fact that MLS has important games scheduled that weekend. Third, Klinsmann also said that many of the young players who were called in for the recent Czech Republic friendly in Prague would also be involved in this camp.
So what could we expect from this? I don't think we're going to see massive changes from the 2014 World Cup team but some veterans may be phased out. I also think some of the top performers in MLS who have little international experience might get the call. On the injury front, I think these games will come too soon for Aron Johannsson, Terrence Boyd, and Geoff Cameron.
Here's my prediction for the U.S. national team roster.
2) Nick Rimando
3) Bill Hamid
In the mix: Sean Johnson, Cody Cropper
5) Greg Garza
6) John Brooks
7) Matt Besler
8) Omar Gonzalez
9) Michael Orozco
10) Tim Ream
11) Fabian Johnson
12) DeAndre Yedlin
In the mix: Robbie Rogers, Matt Hedges, Eric Lichaj
14) Jermaine Jones
15) Alfredo Morales
16) Emerson Hyndman
17) Joe Corona
18) Mix Diskerud
19) Alejandro Bedoya
20) Graham Zusi
21) Joe Gyau
22) Julian Green
23) Maurice Edu
24) Lee Nguyen
In the mix: Perry Kitchen, Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil, Luis Silva, Brek Shea
26) Landon Donovan
27) Clint Dempsey
28) Rubio Rubin
29) Gyasi Zardes
30) Andrew Wooten
In the mix: Bobby Wood, Will Bruin, Jack McInerney, Jordan Morris
Goalkeepers
1) Brad Guzan2) Nick Rimando
3) Bill Hamid
In the mix: Sean Johnson, Cody Cropper
Defenders
4) Timothy Chandler5) Greg Garza
6) John Brooks
7) Matt Besler
8) Omar Gonzalez
9) Michael Orozco
10) Tim Ream
11) Fabian Johnson
12) DeAndre Yedlin
In the mix: Robbie Rogers, Matt Hedges, Eric Lichaj
Midfielders
13) Michael Bradley14) Jermaine Jones
15) Alfredo Morales
16) Emerson Hyndman
17) Joe Corona
18) Mix Diskerud
19) Alejandro Bedoya
20) Graham Zusi
21) Joe Gyau
22) Julian Green
23) Maurice Edu
24) Lee Nguyen
In the mix: Perry Kitchen, Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil, Luis Silva, Brek Shea
Forwards
25) Jozy Altidore26) Landon Donovan
27) Clint Dempsey
28) Rubio Rubin
29) Gyasi Zardes
30) Andrew Wooten
In the mix: Bobby Wood, Will Bruin, Jack McInerney, Jordan Morris
That's who Brian thinks will make the roster—what do YOU think? Share your take below.
