The U.S. men's national team's final 23 are on their way to Jacksonville.
Juan Agudelo, Alfredo Morales, Danny Williams and Graham Zusi are not among them, as the four were cut from the national team roster by coach Jurgen Klinsmann ahead of the team's upcoming five matches.
Here is the 23-man roster for matches against Scotland, Brazil, Canada, Antigua and Barbuda and Guatemala:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Joe Corona is the only player among the 23 to make his first senior national team roster, and an appearance in one of the World Cup qualifiers would officially cap tie him to the United States. The same can be said for the 21-year-old Boyd, who is coming off his first cap in a friendly in Italy back in February.
Corona's club teammate, Castillo, returns for the first time since September, while Gomez also makes his return after a lengthy absence following a championship season with Santos Laguna.
As for the cuts, Williams was nursing a shoulder injury he suffered at the end of his season with Hoffenheim and was not fully fit. Agudelo just got dealt to Chivas USA and is working his way into his new club while finally getting extended minutes. Zusi was unable to distinguish himself in a crowd of central midfielders, and Morales, who can play in the midfield and defense, ultimately lost out to more experienced options ahead of him.
Agudelo and Zusi will be available for their respective clubs' games this weekend. Chivas hosts the Seattle Sounders Saturday night, while Sporting Kansas City hosts the San Jose Earthquakes.
"We have said from the beginning that these games are all about results, and we have chosen the 23 players who are in the best form right now and ready to get the job done," Klinsmann said in a U.S. Soccer release. "These guys have put in a tremendous amount of hard work in the last 10 days, and they are hungry to get started with the matches. We want to thank the players who have gone back to their clubs for all of their effort here. They are knocking on the door and will be ready to go if needed."
Well, that was my point. Of course, the guys I listed are important to USMNT success and it would be self-destructive to dump because of an arbitrary rule like age. Klinsmann is quote in the story above: “We have said from the beginning that these games are all about results, and we have chosen the 23 players who are in the best form right now and ready to get the job done.” WCQ is all about winning games now, not taking risks of losing because you want younger players on the team. The key words are “best form right now” and I think Klinsmann, in his inimitable style, is saying it is a fluid situation and in September some of these guys might no longer by among the top 23 players.
We saw how well Chelsea performed to close off the season after Di Matteo brought back all the old farts and played them–the ones AVB had sitting on the bench. We’re in the real deal now and we need players on the field who can get the job done now, not players who might be able to get the job done three years from now, or two yaers from now, or even four months from now. So if someone wants to hit on Beckerman, pleeeeease, talk about his skills, not his age. That is just silly.
And therein lies the rub…its about results…not what you do at the club leve. Club level productivity justs gets you noticed. You need to produce on the national level. Once we realize we can no longer kick that same can down the road…its time to find a new can to kick.
hey buddy, you’re posting on this message board
He has a better chance getting in on the wing the as a d-mid…that’s why I didn’t even metion that position. He’s behind Bradley, Jones, Edu, Beckerman, and likely even Torres in that spot as he can play deep too. But I didn’t realize he was injured as you said, which likely was the biggest reason he’s gone home.
Haha man, you’re always so high-strung when you comment. You must be unpleasant to be around. Just chill man, it’s ok.
Yes. Yes. Yes. This is what makes the exclusions of Lichaj/Spector(remember he played great against Italy) and Beasley/Shea(though I do understand his poor form/need to rest) all the more puzzling-there are only three Outside Backs, except one of those(Johnson/Castillo) is almost certainly going to be playing Left Mid, meaning if you start Dolo at RB, Johnson at LB, and Castillo at LW, there are NO outside backs on the bench…or even the 23…Beasley would have let Fabian Johnson play LB and keep a guy like Castillo on the bench, obviously Lichaj would have helped in that regard.
Hooray. An actual goal scorer instead of a potential goal scorer.
Never underestimate message boards for the power to disseminate ignorance.
Klinsmann has to start preparing for life after Gooch, Boca and Dolo. All 3 may be done by the time the WC comes around. Use them during the run up but if they start to show signs of slowing down… have plan ‘B’ ready to go
OMG he will go deep to his bench in the friendlies. He is not going to burn out the starters in these friendlies ahead of the WCQ. Expect a half before he starts rolling in the second group
These friendlies are just a scrimmage. Klinsmann is not going to burn out his real starters or put the injured ones on the field before the games matter. They may play a half before he starts going deep to his bench. Its all about having the “A” team get a run out and getting used to playing together again rather than getting them so tired they are dead come the qualifiers
Beckerman has looked slow in most international games he’s played in. I think Beckerman is to Klinsmann as Bornstein was to Bradley
Unlike Bornstein who earned every minute of his call ups
Sometimes the head is better held back. That attitude cut Twellman’s career short and we was better than Wondo at what they do
Herc is only in for the friendlies. No way he makes the qualifier roster
And yet when Twellman was doing the same thing…. he was nothing but a poacher on these boards
Aston just let him walk. I wonder where he will go? MLS? Rimando proved his worth in the games he has played with the USMNT.
People continue to reference this and you are not incorrect.
However, that (in my memory) was his only recent positive contribution. His ball distribution has been poor too
He DOES NOT work well with Bradley and when paired with another DM, sits back too much. Seems incapable at times of working the pulley system.
I prefer a Jones/Bradley combo. Edu leaves a lot to be desired far too often.
Not opposed to this in the slightest. Good call.
For me, I much prefer Jones to Edu.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Goodson over Gooch for the Scotland game also.
Right, because Alonso took Chicago how far in the playoffs? And how far in Concacaf? And how far thus far this year? Beckerman is miles ahead.
Kyle is where he is because he earned it with consistent play and his professionalism. He isn’t the most talented player in the pool but he is level headed and a great leader and sometimes those qualities are more important on the pitch than other qualities. In a way, you are right. Kyle FREAKING Beckerman. His reputation is why he is there.
reformatted
————- Howard ———–
Dolo—–Gooch—-Boca—-Johnson
——Bradley—–Jones———
Donovan—————Torres——
—————-Dempsey ———-
———Altidore ———
For Brazil, I’d go something like 4-3-2-1, with Jones lying deep and Bradley pushing forward to link play. Ahead of them, Donovan wide on the right and Torres tucking into the middle from the left.
————— Howard —————-
Dolo —– Gooch —- Boca —– Johnson
——- Bradley —–Jones————
Donovan ————– Torres———
—————-Dempsey ————–
———Altidore ——————-
Let’s not reinvent the wheel. Johnson is the best LB we have. He past the audition vs Italy. Let him lock into that spot for a while, please.
Or the folks he wanted were unavailable or unwilling. Or maybe he didn’t want to go out on a limb and get rejected by any other players this camp.
I don’t know. Edu was pretty strong against Italy if I remember correctly.
It might be quite good.
To Jones’ credit, he never gets 2 in a game for Schalke. One per game is fine, we certainly have the d-mid depth.
I’d go with Wiliams (being injured makes you #1 off the team), Beckerman, Rimando, and Morales.
But I agree with Rimando, he won’t see a single minute. Guzan is younger and better (showed it this year at Aston Villa where he was top 10 in save % over 720 minutes), so why not let Rimando return to RSL where he is an integral part of the team?
Maybe even the month.
You guys want to start THREE defensive midfielders?? That is really depressing, at least Bob only played two…. Sadly you may be right, Klinsy’s new brand of exciting attacking soccer often includes a d-mid being played on the right (first Bradley, later Williams totally out of position). Like I said, really depressing…
I’m sure Ives will post an article asking for everyone’s lineup picks, but here are my guesses.
US v. Scotland (4-3-3)(remember, Dempsey and Altidore unavailable; most starters will not play more than 45 minutes)
————— Howard ————-
Dolo —– Gooch —- Boca —– Castillo
————— Edu —————-
—– Bradley ——- Torres ——–
Donovan —– Boyd ———- Johnson
US v. Brazil (4-1-4-1)
————— Howard ————-
Dolo —– Gooch —- Boca —– Castillo
———— Bradley ————–
Donovan ——Torres ——— Johnson
———–Dempsey —————
————Altidore —————
Obviously, there are a lot of possibilities (i.e. Jones for Edu; Herc for Boyd, etc.)
Williams isn’t going anywhere, and I think Klinsmann is more concerned about making sure the best players are there for qualifying. I’m kinda worried about Morales, but I think he knows Klinsmann likes him
Especially since Klinsmann has already said Bocanegra is a CB from now on and that he’s no longer a LB at the international level. Barring some sort of emergency. That’s nothing against Boca, he’s just getting up there in age and LB is more demanding than CB.
All of the players you listed are more important to MNT success. The point behind the age-related comment is, I think, to keep players that *are* important *now* and add players that have a lot of upside left. Beckerman is plainly less capable at the DM role than three of the others and will probably be retired in 5 years. Zusi will be about Beckerman’s age in 5 years and possibly even more crafty. Why keep the surplus player and drop the lotto ticket player?
yeah wondo is a pice of stool
but, but like a Ching he is NOT international material.Sorry pal.
Why in the hell would we want that!?!??!!?
We would NEVER qualify for the WCQ?
Danny Williams is a defensive midfielder and should be #3 in the pecking order after Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones. He is better than Maurice “I haven’t impressed anyone in over a year” Edu and Kyle freaking Beckerman. That he can also play outside mid when Donovan is out, or CB or RB, is a point in his favor. But yes, it makes sense to cut him, because he is INJURED.
As well as “Dual Nationalities”.
I totally agree with you Yankiboy. I was also wishing for DMB, but I think Fabian Johnson replaces that speed on the wing – and Donovan is sure to be on the other side. This leaves me to believe that Klinsi really is happy with Castillo’s growth this season in MX.
Had he called Beasley (or if Shea was in form) I would have assumed that Johnson might be slated for left back.
Worried a bit about the left side flexibility, unless Corona can play effectively out there and is fast enough. I haven’t seen enough of him nor watch the interplay with he and Castillo on the left side in Mexico to know.
Have you ever watched Wondo live? He’s an opportunist like McBride and Ching were. The guy will stick his head, foot, knee or whatever into the mix if it means putting the ball in the net.
Wondo and Gomez are late game goal grabbers. They’re not anything to form your game plan around, but they’ll certainly help.
Agudelo doesn’t have the sharpness now.
You have a point to an extent, but you can’t make that observation without also noting that every player you mentioned is either versatile enough to play multiple positions (Corona, Parkhurst), or plays a position (Wondo, Castillo) where there aren’t too many clear cut options in front of them.
Sacha had a great club season, there’s no doubt about that. I don’t think his past performances had anything to do with why he didn’t make the cut though. In my opinion, the issues still are that:
a.) he’s not versatile enough to be effective in multiple positions on the international level.
b.) the position he’s best at and where he excelled this season for Anderlecht – as a box to box, deep lying playmaker – is already crowded with better players.
MB and Jones can do everything Sacha does and are just better. Edu and Beckerman play different roles in Klinsmann’s system than and are much better at them than Sacha. You could say he’s competing with JFT and deserved a call ahead of him, but is he clearly better? I don’t know if you can say that and Klinsmann obviously doesn’t think so.
He probably did deserve a call-up for the original 27 – 29, but the fact that he didn’t get it is pretty strong testament to the state of the US midfield right now.
Yep!
At LB, what about RB?
Agreed. Apparently, Castillo has been excellent on the attack for Tijuana this year. Better to let him run rampant and not saddle him with defensive responsibility.
Johnson does a great job getting into the attack from LB and also remembers to actually defend.
I would prefer to see Fabian Johnson at LB instead of Castillo. I would also like to see Corona or Castillo start in midfield.
can you really transfer players from one nat team to another?
Not trying to be a jerk man but this line cracked me up: “he’s looked very sharp, tenacious and registered several beautiful shots on goal.” Especially the shots on goal part haha.
Bias is a funny thing (not referring to yours btw just in general). One person can watch a game and just see all the bad in a player while another sees only the bright spots- that’s where descriptions like “hustle”, “potential”, “he looked sharp”, “tenacious”, “intangibles”, “great throw-ins” come in. We all have our favorites.
That would be real smart, dropping players because of age. I guess that means we also have to immediately dump Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, 
Oguchi Onyewu (all 30), not to mention old fogies like Steve Cherundolo and team captain Carlos Bocanegra world-class goalkeeper Tim Howard. And then next year, we’ll have to kick Clint Dempsey and Clarence Goodson off the team when they turn 30. Seriously, Seriously, I can’t take you seriously. Beckerman is club captain and a damn good player and as long as Klinsmann has faith in him so do I.
calm down…you will live longer 🙂