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Besler, Torres and Kljestan among 24 players called into USMNT camp ahead of Honduras qualifier

By IVES GALARCEP

Veterans Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley headline the U.S. Men’s National Team roster chosen to travel to San Pedro Sula ahead of Wednesday’s vital World Cup qualifying clash against Honduras, a roster heavy on European-based players.

Graham Zusi, Eddie Johnson and Matt Besler headline a contingent of seven MLS-based players.

Here is the roster:

GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Sean Johnson

DEFENDERS– Tim Chandler, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Brad Evans, Michael Parkhurst

MIDFIELDERS– Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Maurice Edu, Graham Zusi, Brad Davis, Jose Torres, Sacha Kljestan

FORWARDS– Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson, Herculez Gomez

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Here are some thoughts on the squad:

Jose Torres makes his way back into the fold. He has been playing well for an unbeaten Tigres side and he could also be a good option against Honduras.

The biggest surprise on the roster is Brad Evans, though he had been considered a likely inclusion based on Sigi Schmid’s recent comments hinting at a call-up. Klinsmann has him listed as a defender and it’s very likely he will be battling with Michael Parkhurst for the final spot on the roster.

Among the exclusions are Terrence Boyd, Juan Agudelo and Kyle Beckerman. Boyd is finishing up pre-season with Rapid Vienna, while Agudelo missed the cut behind a veteran collection of forwards. It was believed that he could be seen as a late-game change-of-pace option, but Klinsmann decided to go with veterans for this tough road trip. Beckerman was a bit of a surprised because of his regular inclusion in the squad, and his solid showing against Canada, but the recent resurgences of Jose Torres and Maurice Edu made them the picks.

There will be some complaints about there not being enough exciting young talent in this roster, but with this being a tough road qualifier, and many of the young options being unlikely to play, Klinsmann has bought himself some time before trying to incorporate players like Mix Diskerud, Boyd and Josh Gatt into the qualifying mix.

MLS centerbacks Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler make the squad and represent the next generation of centerbacks. Klinsmann is fully aware that he needs to rejuvenate the centerback pool and it will be interesting to see which of those two he calls on to play if he needs one of them to step on the field against Honduras.

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What do you think of the squad? Who are you most surprised by? Which exclusion are you most disappointed with?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I don’t know how I feel about Evans in there but Parkhurst is called as well so maybe Evans won’t even dress….as they can only dress the 23….

    Davis puzzles me, he had a bad game in terms of the ONE THING he is suppose to be great at, his dead ball service, and in his home town & stadium too! I would have rather seen Corona who is in much better form having been playing for a whole month in regular season with about 5 games worth of playing….maybe even Feilhaber but I understand wanting to get him more used to the main squad before throwing Benny in a qualifier in Honduras

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  2. Just wanted to mention that Agudelo was having quite a bit of work done on his calf/lower leg prior to coming into the Canada game. Maybe he is still feeling less than 100%?

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  3. Why Davis? If memory serves correct doesn’t Honduras fly up and down the wings? Davis just doesn’t seem to be the right pick. Against concacaf teams with speed on the outside we get abused and put a lot of pressure on our defense who isn’t exactly fleet of foot (minus chandler). Lets get bradley Johnson in our system. We need one more Johnson anyway.

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    • Agreed. He looked good in his 14 minutes on Saturday, but do not think he deserved to be invited to this game. I suppose he was called only so Klinsmann could give him TLC. I do not think he will see the field.

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  4. Jones will bring an edge to Honduras but he’s probably too risky of a start given his temper. It will be hostile and Honduras will play dirty.

    ——————Howard
    Chandler-Boca-Cameron-Johnson
    ———–Bradley —- Edu
    Zusi ———Dempsey——–Torres
    ———-Altidore——–Gomez

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    • Based on the roster selection, it seems more than likely that we’ll see something other than a static 4-3-3. I like a 4-4-2 with who we have personally. Just push the wings high and allow the fullbacks room to work underneath. Dempsey drops behind Altidore to find room in the hole. Then you have a fluid transition between a 4-4-2 on defense and more like a 4-3-3 moving forward with Dempsey just ahead of Bradley and Jones.

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  5. or maybe this if he doesnt want to go too defensive, but i doubt it

    ———————Howard
    Chandler–Cameron–Boca–Johnson
    ———————-Bradley
    ———–Zusi ——-Torres
    Gomez———————————Dempsey
    ———————–Altidore

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  6. dont see Jones starting, and Torres will be on the field

    ———————Howard
    Chandler–Cameron–Boca–Johnson
    ———————-Williams
    ———–Bradley——-Torres
    Gomez———————————Dempsey
    ———————–Altidore

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