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Klinsmann unveils 24-man roster, omits Altidore and Boyd among others

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has released the 24-man roster that will aim to attempt to reach the final round of World Cup qualifying, and there are surprises aplenty.

Sacha Kljestan, Eddie Johnson and Alan Gordon were among the players selected by Klinsmann for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Antigua & Barbuda and Guatemala, while Jozy Altidore, Terrence Boyd, Jose Torres and Chris Wondolowski were all surprisingly left off. Landon Donovan, who suffered a knee injury on Saturday while playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy, was also included on the roster. 

Other veterans on the team are Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey.Timmy Chandler, who told SBI last month he was open to an October call-up, was also once again missing.

Here is the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8) : Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)

MIDFIELDERS (8) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)

The U.S. players have already begun convening in Miami for camp, which is the second-to-last one Klinsmann is expected to have this year. The team will train there through Wednesday.

The U.S. is currently tied on points in Group A with both Jamaica and Guatemala with two games remaining. The Americans visit Antigua & Barbuda on Friday before hosting Guatemala in their final group stage match four days later.

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What do you think of this roster? Which inclusion/omission most surprised you? Why do you think Altidore and Boyd were left off?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Nothing in this lineup is crazy. I might not agree with some of it, but nothing is crazy.

    Jozy hasn’t played well for Nats lately and Klinsmann isn’t impressed.
    Gordon has looked very good this year, as has EJ
    I’d love to see Wondo get a chance, but he’s one of those guys who needs a run of games to impress. Even when he scores it’s not impressive. But he keeps doing it.
    Can’t get upset with any of these choices, really.

    Herc (with EJ as sub)
    Dempsey
    Landon–Bradley—Zusi
    Williams
    Fabian–Edu–Cameron–Dolo
    Howard

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  2. I would be happy with a 4-3-2-1:
    Howard
    Dolo Cameron Boca Johnson
    Bradley Williams Shea
    Donovan Dempsey
    Gomez
    If Shea and Donovan are not fit, they can be replaced by Zusi and Kljestan (who else could play on the left?)

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  3. I like Klinsmann’s expertise on the German soccer system, modern tactics, and youth development. But like many of us, I’m beginning to wonder about his player selection and substitutions. However, after some thought, here’s my 2 cents. In Klinsmann’s mind, the first 11 is pretty much set. So the remaining players you choose to bring into camp are the “extras”. These “extras” are not chosen because they’re better than XYZ, or because they will start over the first 11. Instead, they are chosen based on what “extra” they bring to the table. It also offers Klinsmann an opportunity to see them up close and test them against the starters. For example, in offense, Gomez is the starter for sure with Dempsey behind him (where he plays at Tottenham now). Donovan will start at wing but can move to striker too (where he plays for LA now). If they park the bus and we need more offense, just push the middies up further – MB and JJ are box-to-box middies anyways. So, here are the snubs: Wondo, Jozy, Boyd. Wondo’s a poacher but Gomez is better and faster. Jozy is young dumb and lazy but tons of potential. Boyd’s a hard worker and also potential. But they are both young and not good enough yet to automatically start and take Gomez’s spot. Also, we all know what we’re going to get with them. And all 3 prefer the ball at their feet rather than their heads. So instead, you bring in Gordon because he’s the right guy for a last ditch effort or hail mary tactics. He’s picked over other big strikers, because he’s hot now and played with Donovan in LA. Also, Klinsmann’s never seen Gordon in camp – the same goes for EJ, who’s also hot now and thus chosen for his recent form, work ethic, good attitude and confidence. If they prove themselves in camp, then they’ll stay and play – if not, then they had their shot. Meanwhile, we still go on to win with our first 11, and the extra spots are used to try-out newbies. Granted, this is a WCQ game, but most of the time, you rarely ever use all your striking subs, and even if you’re forced to use EJ or Gordon, they’re not bad options off the bench and both offer a different skillset. Also, if Gomez is injured, you can still replace them with any of snubs because you know they could perform if needed. Anyways, that’s my attempt to pick Klinsmann’s brain, and it kind of makes sense, but he’s taking alot of risk in doing so in a WCQ game.

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  4. Hah, all thid talk about Altidore not scoring enough goals. not making enough of his time with the USMNT. And who does he call in to replace him? None other that the guy who was been more disappointing on the international stage than any other, Eddie Effing Johnson. Does anyone even remember the last 10 years!!!???
    The irony is THICK.

    Reply
  5. I admit I don’t watch Torres much at Pachuca, but I don’t really see the upside that a lot of people seem to. He’s a nice player who is pretty good technically and a good passer, but I haven’t seen much to convince me that he’ll blossom into a dominant player on the international level.

    Reply

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