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Klinsmann names squad for Mexico friendly

KlinsmannList (Getty)

Jurgen Klinsmann named the 22-player roster for the U.S. Men's National Team for Wednesday's friendy against Mexico, and there are several new faces in the mix.

Newly-crowned U.S. Open Cup champions Graham Zusi and Matt Besler were among the players chosen to take on Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday in a rare friendly in Mexico between the two rivals. Besler is a newcomer to the national team set-up, as is fellow call-ups Steven Beitashour.

Here is the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beithasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)

MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)

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Here are some quick thoughts on the roster:

As you can see, Klinsmann has left several veterans out for this trip. Players like Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley and Steve Cherundolo have been left out. It is clear Klinsmann wants to give some young players some playing time, or at the very least the experience of being with the team in a hostlie environment like Azteca. It is still a bit surprising to see Klinsmann go with a younger squad than expected.

Tim Chandler is NOT on the squad. There were rumblings out of Germany in the summer that Chandler would be part of this group. Now it's safe to say that if he isn't called up by Klinsmann for September's qualifiers against Jamaica then it may be time to close the door on the German-born defender.

Brek Shea is back. Apparently his recent club team issues didn't dissuade Juergen Klinsmann from calling him back into the mix. Shea has looked good since returning from being benched by FC Dallas Schellas Hyndman.

DaMarcus Beasley is also back. He's earned a look after playing so well for Puebla in the Mexican League. He's someone who won't be fazed by the atmosphere at Azteca, which is why it wouldn't be a shock of he started on Wednesday night.

Besler and Beitashour are the new faces as Klinsmann looks for some new defensive blood. Both have had outstanding MLS seasons and could help in the long-term at centerback and right back. Besler is also a young left-footed centerback, something there aren't many of in the pool.

The two players who didn't get calls that are probably surprising to some are Chris Pontius and Eddie Johnson. Johnson shouldn't be a big surprise because right now there are several other forward options. Pontius seemed like a better bet because of his versatility and ability to fit in well into Klinsmann's 4-3-3 system.

Here's a quick look at what the USA starting lineup could be on Wednesday night:

Howard; Beitashour, Cameron, Orozco Fiscal, F. Johnson; Beasley, Jones, Torres; Gomez, Boyd, Donovan

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The USA takes on Mexico in the first meeting between the teams since a 1-1 draw in a friendly in Philadelphia in Klinsmann's U.S. national team coaching debut in August of 2011.

What do you think of the squad? Who are you happy to see make the team? Who are you disappointed not to see on the roster?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I respect your position, but I ask who you would want to see against mexico as a trial, and who you think deserves to start in the next upcoming world cup? Also who you would LIKE to see start next world cup.

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  2. Adu played exceptionally well in the 2011 Gold CUp final. Yes, we lost that game but not due to Adu or any of our attacking players. Its not his fault Dolo gets hurt and Bob subs in his man crush Bornstein who got toasted the rest of the match. In fact if you go back and watch the match you’ll notice Mexico didn’t even attempt to attack the other side of the field the rest of the night, once they saw Bornstein all the attach came at him. Adu was playing on the right wing most of the game, the opposite side of the field. It still boggles my mind that one of our top talents for attacking and setting up goals scoring opps in the last third doens’t get more looks. For all his club issues when he puts on the shirt and plays for the USMNT he is great. Gio Dos Santos has had the same club issues over the years but you don’t see Mexico sitting and not even calling up their most dangerous attacking player. Just want the games before you comment please.

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  3. One last point that is a good take away from this group. 4 or 8 years back we would not have had the depth to field a B side with this much talent. It seems the days when we have to start a Jonathon Bornstein or Robby Findly becasue of lack of depth are over. Our depth has taken leaps and bounds in the past several years and only seems to get better with some of the other youngsters like Gyau and Gatt comeing thru also. The 2014 WC squad selection will be the hardest US WC squad to make ever, and there will be some real professionals that won’t even make the squad come 2014. This has me really excited, especially that now I can finally say we will never see Jonothan Bornstein in US colors every again, maybe Hondorus will take him.

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  4. Relax, this is friendly ya’ll.

    Not a bad lineup, here are my starters:

    Donovan — Boyd — Gomez

    Jones — Williams

    Edu

    Johnson – Cameron – Besler/Fiscal – Beithasour

    Howard

    Couple of points on the CBs:

    This is a great chance to let Cameron get a feel for the Azteca environment. He’s going to be one of our starting CBs for a while it seems, better to get him into the mix of what it feels like in a Concacaf qualifier now in a meaning less friendly that next August when we will be there for the qualifier.

    As for the other CB either Besler or Fiscal, both have some nice qualities. WOuld have like to have Goodsen here but he’s in season and its a friendly and we have REAL qualifiers in two weeks, it does not make sense to have him make two round trips across the Atlantic in the time or for any other European based CB, ie Ream, Boca or Gooch.

    As for Fiscal, he plays in Mexico and of all our CBs has probably had more games played in Azteca while playing for his club team than anyone else in teh pool. Belser has had a stellar season in MLS so far and I’m sure he’s getting looks for some European teams if he keeps it up.

    And Beithasour, what can I say, he’s definately got a lot of upside. He did really well in the MLS All Star match against Chelsea. Don’t care what you say about preseason, he was shutting down the likes of Eden Hazard and some world class talent. He has touch, speed, and is well positioned.

    This lineup is okay, by far not our best, but I will be watching the new guys to see if they can hold up in Azteca. Besler and Beithasour in particular. Remeber this time last cycle Stuart Holden was still with Dynamo.

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  5. Danny Williams needs to start somewhere in the defense. Either central or right back. He’s flexible and has played pretty well at a high level. Unlike some of the other players people are suggesting start.

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  6. I’d start Besler over MOF. But isn’t the whole point of MOF that he plays in Mexico and will be familiar with the environment?? Yes, and that’s exactly why I wouldn’t play him, he is lousy, and the Mexican national teamers surely have all his weaknesses figured out by now.

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  7. +1 Adu raises his game when he wears the US shield. He reminds me of Jack Johnson of USA Hockey. Not the greatest regular season player. But when the chips are on the line for country he WANTS IT.

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  8. What has Zusi done to be ahead of Pontius??
    Pontius has been great for two straight seasons, only marred by his (admittedly self-inflicted on a reckless tackle) injury late last year, and topped off by the goal against Chelsea at the All-Star game.
    Zusi was great last year but every time I have seen him THIS YEAR he has been somewhat average, and like he’s lacking his earlier confidence, topped off by the horrific PK miss in the US Open Cup final.

    I’d much rather look at Pontius (who we haven’t seen before with the USMNT) than Zusi, based on both current form and potential.

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  9. Posters need to calm down and put this match in perspective. Yes this is Mexico and yes this is at Azteca but it is only a friendly and a great opportunity to mix in some new blood and give guys a first chance to play in this kind of environment.

    Defensively 3/4 of the proposed backline(Beita,Fiscal,Cameron) are in season players who will not have the rust that say a Boca or Dolo might have from not playing for 2 months. Let’s not forget that Orozco-Fiscal started the Mexico game last year and did not embarrass himself. Cameron’s career is in ascendancy and Fabian Johnson has looked good at LB.

    Attack wise only disappointed with the Pontius omission and mildly surprised not to see Altidore. I can see us using Donovan and Beasley to play of Gomez with Wondo and Boyd coming off the bench.

    In midfield, Edu or Beckerman as the deep lying CDM, Torres as the facilitator and Jones in a two way mode, free to roam. Not ideal for me, but that’s how I see it playing out.

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  10. When was the last time Adu was on the field with a senior US team that beat Mexico?

    Adu is fun to watch but other than the Panama game in the Gold Cup, Adu does not seem to help us win.

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  11. Perhaps. At what position? Central mid? Behind Bradley, Jones, Edu, Beckerman, Williams, etc? He’s got a long way to climb.

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  12. What I was hinting at is this isn’t a team that could beat Mexico even if the game were in Columbus.

    Commenting during church doesn’t allow me to be as involved mentally as I should be.

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  13. I saw Benny’s first game for the USMNT and I thought he and MB90 would be our central pairing for the next however many years.

    It’s been downhill ever since. He had a fine World Cup but he proved that he was best suited to be a good 20-30 minute sub.

    I hear he has been better this season but I haven’t seen the Rev’s this year. In any event, it is irrelevant because we know Benny can handle Azteca and if we need veteran MF leadership we have DMB and Donovan. Right now JK needs to find out about some other guys. Let Benny really tear up MLS and if he does that then maybe he could get called in then.

    As for Freddydinho, I could take what you wrote about him and find the exact same quote on a post on SBI every year for the last four or five years. It’s always the same with him.

    He has to prove to JK this year that he has gotten better and for starters he could think about being consistently brilliant for the Union instead of fading in and out like he does. If he can’t produce more consistently in MLS then he will remain what he has always been for the US a wild card to be thrown in there when we are desperate to juice the offense.

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  14. Lets see…someone who is good to very good yet inconsistent in MLS is better then someone who is CONSISTENTLY very good in the same league purely because he got an opportunity (and was again inconsistent) in a USA kit?

    Cool story bro…but its getting old. Our D needs consistent dominant defenders and ASAP. Enough with the promise lets see some ‘deliverance’ (no homo)

    We need George John and Omar Gonzalez integrated LAST YEAR

    Oh and btw please remind this blog of the article/interview/story/practice report which stated John’s play, and not any number of other reasons, was why terms weren’t agreed between him and Blackburn and/or West Ham

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  15. Benny’s typically performed well for the USMNT off the bench, lots of eveidence, he’s played well vs. Mexico before.I’m not complaining just discussing. When Benny can go for 30 minutes off the bench surrounded by talented players he has brought a change of pace the team has responded to

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  16. hey calm down, I like Freddy and felt worst for him when the team failed to qualify for london…he played a great game to help bring the team back and in position to play for the Games…then what happened happened

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  17. Boosted,

    So you are big on on-field production?

    George John has produced nothing on the field for anyone other than FC Dallas.

    Owen Coyle, a man who correctly evaluated Holden, brought in Ream, made him a starter for Bolton in the EPL and by all accounts Ream produced for Bolton. Their relegation wasn’t his fault and in some sectors the thought is if he had come in sooner it might have made a difference.

    So Coyle thinks Ream is a good centerback, one who has produced in the EPL, and you disagree with him? Okay, the difference here is that Coyle has backed up his opinion with money and by entrusting Ream with the fate of Coyle’s job. If you are right about Ream and Coyle is wrong, then Coyle could easily lose his job.

    Just because things are not going as well for John as you would like, it does not mean every other US centerback should be run down by you.

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  18. I would have rather have Adu on the roster than most who were picked. The Mexican national teams always struggle when Adu gets on the field. He attracts a lot of defenders, could have benefited us.

    Mex 3 U.S 1

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  19. IF it’s the situation like Cameron’s case as stated, looking to break in for country!

    but NOT if the case for Boca and his situation with Club/$$$/etc. right now and others in a similar position who are already locked into the team

    get the point now?

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  20. What has Benny done better than Adu?? Adu is our Gio Santos… a type player that struggles with his club, but when he wears the national team jersey, these dudes are beasts!

    I take Adu any day!

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  21. you would rather see torres in there? what has he done since he’s been on the team?

    Benny has proven that he can play well against top level teams, and there is a reason he was selected to the most important USMNT rosters (Confederations Cup 2009, World Cup 2010). While Torres was also selected to the 2010 WC, he has also been consistently selected to the latest rosters and he hasn’t given me anything to suggest he continually deserves a call up. Basically this specific squad is a young and experimental side, and I believe he needs to try NEW things.

    When it comes to ADU, He isnt ready to start for the US in the attacking mid, but I think he has shown in his brief appearances for the US that he can compete at the USMNT level and he has the skill and ability. He can take players 1 on 1, something 98% of the team can’t do, he is quick and he isn’t afraid to be make mistakes.

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  22. Maybe it would have but who knows, you don’t nor I…the point. We know Bornstein was not up for it tho.

    on could’ve been 2-0 Mexico, it wasn’t though, and Bornstein’s insertion gave that Mexican team confidence, happening basically right after MB had scored

    then they went after him, smart really, and it sucked being a USMNT supporter

    but it was 2-0 USA after 23′

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  23. Biff, I can’t agree with you in your speculations on why the veteran national team members weren’t called up but the link you posted on Chandler was very interesting. It kind of confirms the feeling I had about him all along. As a dual national I’m sure he’s had dreams of playing for Germany rather than the US. Growing up in German culture you’d have to expect it, the chance with the US was just convenient. He may be a US citizen with an American father, but he’s very much German in every other way.

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  24. Man, this is the lamest fan base ever. This is going to be fun. Instead of seeing the same guys manning the back line that we’ve seen a thousand times (Boca, Gooch, Goodson, Cherundolo), we might actually see something new and learn something. We’ll certainly find out who the tough guys are, who doesn’t back down against the hostile crowd. That alone makes this must see viewing. The lineup I’d like to see:

    ————Boyd——–Wondo————
    Shea————Torres————Donovan
    —————Williams—————–
    Johnson—–Cameron—Besler——Beitashour
    Howard

    I’d be most interested in seeing Williams at DMid and Beitashour, because Dolo is getting older and because he’s looked good for the Quakes.

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  25. Do you know who Carles Puyol is? He never had any speed.

    Johann Cruyff once said, in all seriousness, the faster player is the one who starts running first.

    A guy like Cameron is very fast but there are a number of slower, older, more experienced strikers who would give him all kinds of problems because there are a number of different ways to score other than by beating a guy in a foot race. Boca played and started in France a Lige with an awful lot of speedy attacking types. And he did just fine and he never had any speed.

    You are a USMNT fan and like most of them your first thought is towards bigger, faster stronger players. Nothing worng with that but first of all, do they know how to play soccer? You never would have given small guys like Xavi, Iniesta or Leo Messi a chance.

    You want to pick the guy who can get to the ball first. My question is what is he going to do with the ball once he gets it?
    Most of the time Boca, for example,does something good with it, even in a place as hostile as Azteca.

    The Japanese women’s team are physically and athletically inferior in every way to the USWNT. But they are equal to our women because they are better, smarter soccer players.

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  26. http://www.nordbayern.de/nuernberger-zeitung/nz-sport/japaner-kiyotake-stand-beim-sommerfest-im-mittelpunkt-1.2273534

    THIS ARTICLE TALK ABOUT KLOSS, CHANDLERS KIYOTAKE and few more players from Nurmberg FC not taking part of any Internation Friendly so they can take care and prepare for the league.

    In London graduated the offensive midfield player altogether three groups and three K. -o.-Spielen and probably already was able to increase its market value with convincing achievements. To the joy of the trainer, he declined participate that in a friendship game to protect around itself – like also Timothy Chandler and Timm Klose.

    “Sometime the boundaries certainly are reached. But I know my body and hear fall well there, so that I not into a hole”. Kiyotake has stand will concentrate me motivation problems in any case no: “I now before a new experience, on that I now. For of me, achievement is expected also in Nuremberg”, said it and wrote further autograph.

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  27. http://www.nordbayern.de/nuernberger-nachrichten/nn-sport/timothy-chandler-hofft-auf-jogi-lows-anruf-1.2250798 TRANSLATION

    Timothy Chandler no this autograph hunter who press himself on a picture with its hereos. It would have been able to become one if it the club had not discovered. Chandler kick until 2010 in the 2nd team of harmony Frankfurt. For the national league, one said it Chandler, would not pass it. Therefore Chandler left its home town, went to the 1.FCN. It played also there in the 2nd team. One was not able to promise whether it would become for the first rich, it also in the club. Now, two years later, is Chandler US national player. Whether it remains it, has to do also with Joachim Löw. Chandler had come as an offensive player at the Valznerweiher, but Rene Müller, the at that time trainer of the regional league team, made it to the right defender – and therewith too well for the regional league. Sometime Müller asked its superior Dieter Hecking to give this Chandler yet a chance. Hecking gave Chandler the chance – and Chandler used it. On the 22nd of January 2011, Chandler in Freiburg was exchanged for the first time, was later two months it national player. Chandler, son of a German and a US American, was invited of the USA. Two tests stood on the program: against Paraguay and Argentina. Against Argentina, Chandler was exchanged, that emerged is picture with Messi at this evening.

    Chandler at that time often said, occurs that he himself like in a dream. It, that was too bad for the harmony, led suddenly duels with Messi, the best. In the back round 10/11, it became the tribe player. In its second national league year, Chandler was not allowed to make 30 games, to be sure all on its haunt. In December against Hoffenheim, Chandler red saw was represented, in the next game it of Markus Feulner so well that that was allowed to continue as a right defender. Chandler should play henceforth on its old position: in the right midfield. Playfully yet more strongly

    Chandler did not disappoint also there, was however nevertheless happy when it was allowed to defend again. Now Chandler goes as a right defender number one into the new season. In the spring, it extended its contract in the club although it the VfB Stuttgart also with the prospect for Europacup games attracted. “a heart decision” names Chandler its confession to Nuremberg, “34 games” wants it make in a team, that it “playfully yet more strongly” estimates than the year 2011/12. For another team, that is to be estimated playfully something else more strongly, it could also assemblies: It was during the EM when one had to think in Germany suddenly about a small defense problem. With Philipp, one lamely had only a right defender of international format. On to the right, Jerome Boateng had to play, that sees itself as an interior defender. When Boateng was missing, must Lars Bender, a midfield player, assist. Chandler is now right defender and for Germany, he would be allowed to play also: It graduated yet no duty game for the USA.

    First in September it would have festival played itself, start the USA into the World Cup qualification. Does and if previously the DFB report itself with it? “me still has none called”, says Chandler, “and I wants me not impose”. A refusal sounds differently. Fit it would become yes: The next time plays Germany on the 15th of August – against Argentina with Lionel Messi.

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  28. Well… I guess the one advantage here is that there are many unknowns. Mexico will have to learn quickly and the USA could capitalize on this with an early goal. Forcing Mexico to chase in their home court could force them to tighten up and give up a second on the counter. The ability of the back line to work as a unit will truly be the difference in this game and is really my biggest worry. If they can’t get it together this could be a bloodbath. That said, there is a lot of good talent on this roster a lot of people who will figure into the future of USMNT. It’s a risk to try a unit like this for the first time in such a brief window. It’s ballsy, but better to risk it now than in a qualifier.

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  29. Nope it’d be the same thing if cherunoodle never left. It was only a matter of time, Mexico was having so many chances early in the game. Could’ve been 2-0 before the USA scored.

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  30. “Last U23 result against Mexico: W, 2-0, 2-29-2012 (against the team that just won Olympic gold*)”

    That game is irrelvant, the USA choked in qualifying when it mattered.

    Reply

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