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Dempsey, Brooks return to USMNT in squad for Guatemala qualifiers

Clint Dempsey MOTM Cuba 07182015

With a spot in the Hexagonal within reach, Jurgen Klinsmann has brought back some veteran players to the U.S. Men’s National Team that will face Guatemala in a matter of days.

Clint Dempsey, John Brooks, and Alejandro Bedoya are among the players returning to the U.S. picture as part of a 26-man squad that Klinsmann has called in for a pair of World Cup Qualifiers vs. Guatemala. Dempsey and Bedoya are back in the fold for the first time since October, and Brooks joins his compatriots after last suiting up for the Americans in September.

Other players summoned who have not been called up as of late are centerback Omar Gonzalez and left back Edgar Castillo.

Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson, and Jozy Altidore are also among those Klinsmann selected for this camp, which will see the U.S. travel to Guatemala for the first qualifier on March 25 before the two sides face off again in Columbus four days later. The Americans currently sit in first place of their qualifying group with four points from two games.

Only 23 of the 26 players called in will be permitted to dress in the upcoming games.

Take a closer look at the USMNT roster below:

GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Monterrey), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)

MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers FC), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

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What do you think of the USMNT roster? Any surprises? Any notable exclusions? How do you see this group doing vs. Guatemala?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • Which will be greater the number of wins the US has in the final four matches of this round of qualifying or the number of managers Mexico has before the Hex begins, see you in a year El Commandante, but I’m betting you won’t resist coming back for the Copa.

      Reply
  1. I tend to agree with you Bryan, Ventura has not played 90 minutes with the senior team at club level since Jan.29 and had been restricted to being a overage player with the U-20 team sans the 4 minute cameo this past weekend with the senior team. Orozco has fared even worse, having not played a senior team minute in the new year, as he is also playing with the U-21 side at Club Tijuana. Does it benefit the senior team that we’re calling in 2 defenders from Liga MX that aren’t getting senior team reps at club level, one of which will probably play a big role in these two games when this team and this manager are on the hot seat and scrapping for results to help put behind them an ugly 2015?? Couple that with the call ups of 2 other injured starters(Jozy, Fabian Jo) and the questions begs are we really that replete with capable backups that can do the job in a home and away series with Guatemala??

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    • yeah, and i like Alvarado and Orozco. but like you said, they are hardly even dressing, let alone playing.

      as for the injured guys, not worried about that at all. 26 players instead of 23 indicates a buffer was built into the squad. also, Jozy played yesterday. so by the time the games comes around, i imagine he’ll be just fine.

      what i will say, the Castillo callup makes the Villafana snub a little less harsh. Villafana generally starts, but as we saw this weekend, he didn’t play. further, there was no way he would play a big part of either game. more than anything, he should be there to start integrating with the team. that way he can play in the friendlies leading up to Copa America and see if he’s a legit option for us at LB.

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      • If we can come away with 6 points against guatemala, it pretty much opens the door for Villafana to be brought in and integrated. As someone pointed out above, if we clinch the a spot in the Hex early, we won’t have a ‘truly’ crucial game that matters for about a year, paving the way for a lot of experimenting.

    • “are we really that replete with capable backups that can do the job in a home and away series with Guatemala?” The short answer is yes.When we played them 4 years ago in Guatemala we totally dominated the game and were unlucky to give up a tying goal, a golazo from a free kick about 25 yards out after giving up a silly foul very late in the game. As long as we don’t do something really stupid, like getting a red card, we should be fine.

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      • true story, but you would think that after the amount of new players that have been intergrated into the program since that time we’d have better depth at most positions…..i guess the fact still remains that we have to “crawl before we can walk” sort of speak!

    • Honestly, Orozco’s inclusion is a headscratcher. He certainly doesn’t qualify as young, and he’s had many chances to stake his claim, and missed. I guess he must have a great attitude, and is an excellent contributor during practices in camp.

      As far as Alvarado in concerned, I remember a time when JK kept calling in and playing another 24 year old, who rode the bench at a poor 2.Bundesliga club, and under-performed for the USMNT, until that very same player became the next great American Hope. I won’t tell you who he is, but his name rhymes with “hood”.

      Moral of the story is if JK sees a player’s potential, he won’t give up on them.

      Reply
  2. i really like the Castillo call up. the guy is in great form.

    what is a disgrace is calling up Alvarado while leaving Villafana off. it’s a joke of a decision.

    Reply
    • March 25th
      US U-23’s vs Colombia @ 5pm FS1
      US Men vs Guatemala @ 10pm NBC Universo

      March 29th
      US Men vs Guatemala @ 7pm ESPN2
      US U-23’s vs Colombia @ 9:15pm ESPN2

      Reply
      • “US Men vs Guatemala @ 10pm NBC Universo”

        This game is English language broadcast is on BeIn Sports, if you have it.

  3. I don’t agree with all the selections, but the one I really don’t like is taking Beckerman and not Williams. The only way that makes sense is if Williams has a knock.

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  4. Wondo should still be walking home from Brazil IMHO. And Beckerman? He won’t call in Benny but an over-the-hill Beckerman? He’ll be 34 in a month, and he wasn’t quick enough for international play in his prime. Beginning to think JK is too inflexible to coach anymore. And I used to be a JK fan.

    Reply
    • Beckerman and Benny don’t play the same position so your argument seems flawed, not to mention Benny is certainly cresting the hill as he couldn’t even start by the end of last season because his manager couldn’t count on him for more than 45 minutes.

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      • Odd. Can’t recall a single game last year that Benny started and went 45. Not one. He came on at half the final game of the season. Started 30 matches came in as a sub in 2. Played a total of over 2700 minutes, 2nd on squad in total minutes. You are wrong.

      • Pitch your right, my memory must be going I thought he was subbed out of the US Open Cup Final, but apparently not. He did only play 45 minutes coming on at halftime in the most critical game of the year in the final against LA though. But overall, my statement was incorrect.

        And I think he’s hurt anyway he hasn’t dressed for SKC this season.

    • He’s a young central defender who is good with the ball at his feet and can distribute better than any of our older defenders. Brooks is finally putting it together, but until guys like Miazga or CCV can step up past him, he’s gonna remain in the picture.

      Plus, he may start being pushed outside, which will only add more depth and competition to a fullback position we are still weak at.

      Reply
      • Perhaps, but I rate Tim Ream higher on all of those criteria, except the “young” part. Alvarado has yet to impress as an international.

      • Agreed, I really like the Ream in terms of reliability and distribution. Shame its coming about 2 years too late. However, he is far from an older player. Could easily still be around in 2018, assuming his situation at Fulham improves.

        I agree, the only time Alvarado has ever impressed was for 45 min in the last group game of the GC. Him and Brooks both received yellow cards in the first half, which is pretty much a nightmare situation. Yet they both came out composed, made smart plays and tackles, and actually looked good. Probably the only 45 minutes they both looked good together that tournament. The maturity they displayed at was extremely impressive for young CB’s, and is probably the only reason I still have hope for Alvarado.

        I also think some of our emerging young CB’s are giving us a false sense of talent right now. Miazga, CCV, EPB, etc. are all very talented, and should be our future. Keyword: SHOULD. Lots of challenges to overcome and development needs to occur before then. Until that happens, we shouldn’t cast aside anyone.

  5. For those talking about things in the future…keep in mind, the future isn’t very bright if they fail to qualify for the Hex. This roster is all about taking care of business in this round first, and then looking forward to the CA and Hex.

    Reply
    • Too much logic in your statement, do you not know how this site works? Remember, Wondo/Alvardo were picked. THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!!!

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    • pretty much the same team that failed miserably last year, does the GC, and Concacaf Cup not ring a bell?? Alot of bad results have been had of late to feel super confident aout this roster. I for one hope it pans out but this team has become stagnate in personnel, philosophy and ultimately results. It sucks that the U-23’s have to fight their way to OQ vs. Colombia at the same time because i really believe had they already qualified for Rio we’d be seeing more youth players on the senior roster.

      Reply
  6. Why, OH WHY, is there no Lichaj or Villafana on the roster, and Alvarado’s stupid face and name is? I might be able to see the logic if….1. He could play fullback. 2. If he ever showed more than average play. It’s hard to see potential when he’s not even inconsistent. He just sucks.

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  7. as per usual, too many CBs and not enough FBs. I watched Lichaj’s game over the weekend and he was very good along the back line. Plus, JK loves to play Yedlin as a MF, so look for Orozco on the RB. Maybe FabJo at LB w/ Castillo as a sub if offense is needed late? Alvarado = wasted selection. Lots of other guys are more deserving.

    Reply
    • I think Ream at LB would be a good choice. but JK apparently does not care for Sasha, Bennie, Bornstein, Ream, Lichaj or Spector at any position. In reality, none of those guys is likely to be a difference maker, but they can each be useful, probably more so than some of the younger players others have suggested.

      Reply
    • Two of his ten goals have come against Guatemala, and 7 out of his 10 against lower level CONCACAF teams, he can play this level.

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      • Yes Wondo can compete with Low level international competition like Guatemala. But so could a number of other strikers who could actually provide something beyond this round of qualification. I’m sick of seeing dead end players like Wondo, Beckerman, Evans, and others given preference over younger players who actually have a chance to help the team for years to come.

      • The five forwards who were on the 2011 U23s were Bunbury, Agudelo, Gyau, Boyd and Brek Shea. Agudelo cant even start for the Revs and Bunbury, Gyau, and Boyd have repaired knees and Shea is now a LB who do you want to put in instead.

      • A national team coach is not in the business of making players better, except in the sense of getting the players to play together in a system. If a National team coach sees a player who is maybe good enough and is young, he may call him up to teach him what is needed to succeed at the international level and to learn how to fit into the coach’s system. The idea that calling up players for a one or two week camp will magically make them better players is pretty lame. Not that they will not learn some things in the camps, but they will not become great players as the result of a 2- week training stint.

        The National team coach’s job is to find the best players he can who will fit into his system and make positive contributions to win games. A wholesale change of players most likely means either the coach has decided his system does not work, but more likely it means the coach has done a poor job of judging talent in the past and that brings into question his new choices.

  8. I don’t have much to say about the roster, so I’ll just post my preferred starters:

    ———–Jozy—Wood———-
    FJ——–Nguyen——-Bedoya
    ——————-MB—————
    Castillo-JAB-KillaCam-Yedlin
    ————-Guzan?————–

    I’m not sure if Jozy can go, so he might be one of the 3 cuts. Dempsey fills in, which is cool with me because he’s still got it, and it was hard to keep out of my starters anyway.

    JAB over Besler by a hair. Love that aerial ability.

    Nguyen because I think he’s the best offensive conductor and catalyst available, but I could see Nagbe or Mix playing alongside MB being the more pragmatic choice.

    Guzan and Howard are clearly our two best international GK options, but I’ve lost enthusiasm for them recently.

    Unless our CM pairing is crapping the bed, Zardes should be first off the bench. Either up top or on one of the wings.

    Reply
    • It seems to have become popular here to bash Zardes, but he does a lot of little things to make the team better that a lot of people don’t notice and I think JK really appreciates that. As a result, he will probably start, IMO.

      Reply
      • I was doing the opposite of bashing Zardes, if that is what you meant to imply. If not, I’m not sure why you made it such a strong point in your comment. Also, you make it sound like JK is going to start Zardes because a lot of people don’t notice all the good things Zardes does and JK wants to prove them wrong. “…he does a lot of little things to make the team better that a lot of people don’t notice and I think JK really appreciates that.” This sounds like JK appreciates the fact that Zardes doesn’t get praised enough, and will therefore start him to prove a petty point.

        To be clear now, I don’t think you mean either of those things, but it was very confusing for me initially.

        Finally, Zardes is good but not better than FJ, Bedoya, Wood, Jozy, or Dempsey. I can see Zardes starting if FJ is actually injured, but I’m sadly skeptical about that injury and its timing.

  9. Disappointed not to see Villafana or Shea called in to compete for the LB spot. Hope Lletget gets a shot this year. What’s up with the Alvarado call?

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  10. Slowleftarm are you ok, we haven’t heard from you yet? I am concerned you had some sort of physical problem when you saw Alvarado, Wondo, and Beckerman on the roster.

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  11. Same tired arguments based on myth, its not like there is a significant difference maker out there that JK is not calling in, Neymar doesn’t secretly have American citizenship and everyone played in their quote unquote best position in the qualifiers last fall.

    Finally, I am guessing you are under the age of 25 because the US was one hundred times worse before 1994 and you clearly didn’t see the 1998 WC.

    Reply
    • 98′ team losing all 3 without scoring a single goal. And worst of all losing to Iran. ??
      With that being said, this is the strongest CONCACAF has been overall in my memory (30 years old). Harder competition breeds better players. If they can’t cut it, that’s just how the cookie crumbles. Institute futsal in youth leagues to breed those technical skills we’re missing and get the best athletes to play soccer instead of baseball, basketball, and football.

      Reply
      • At least in ’98 we qualified look back at the teams in the 60s, 70s, and 80s yes it was harder to qualify back then with usually one CONCACAF team making it, but we could never even make it to the final round of qualifying, usually losing out to Canada or Haiti.

      • They DID score a goal against Iran. Brian McBride scored in injury time to cut the deficit to 2-1.

  12. I hate to say this, but its going to be very hard for the US to win during the Hex. Klissman definetly continue to put together bad rosters and on top of that , he doesnt play them on the best positions. Hart to see a Costa Rica Team with players in some of the best leagues right now. We wont beat them or Mexico, so our battle would be aginst Panama, Jamaica and T&T. I am going for the US, but i think these have to be the worts US team ever.

    Reply
      • so are you seriously discounting the results and the product that was put on the field this past year, one of the worst years from a performance standpoint in US Soccer history?? It’s probably a good thing we’re playing Guatemala and not the likes of a Jamaica or Costa Rica because this roster is business as usual, the same roster that failed this past year for the most part and it reeks of stagnation. And I know i’ll hear alot of people talking about, “oh, this roster is just to get us to the hex”, but are people really that confident that this roster and any thereafter won’t continue to have its fair share of struggles even with lowly Guatemala?!?!

  13. I think villafana would have gotten the call up if he had stayed with Portland and been in the January camp but since he doesn’t have the familiarity and a player like Castillo has been around and in previous camps makes sense. I think a good time to call him up should be in the 2 friendlies before the copa America.

    Reply
    • Preface: i think his move to Santos Laguna was excellent and if he could go back in time taken that deal 10 times out of 10

      ..but yes I agree if he stayed in Portland he would have been the starting LB in Carson and Guatemala.

      Back to reality now is not the time to debut a new player. I still would have liked to see him on the roster..

      Reply
  14. I am disappointed that JK has never given Lichaj more of an opportunity, especially when he consistently brings in players that see more of the bench for their clubs. But then the only think JK has been consistent in is failure to apply his own stated criteria for selection to his actual selections. Goddam, I hate that we are stuck with this clown.

    Reply
    • Yes this clown with the best winning percentage of any US manager and 2nd most wins, woe is us. If Eric Lichaj the 27 year old journeyman left back for a mid table Championship team is the reason the US isn’t a top 10 club we are a lot closer to greatness than I thought.

      Reply
      • Using US Soccer’s formula for winning % (Wins + .5 points for draws divided by # of games coached), Klinsmann is actually 2nd to Bruce Arena in winning percentage (65.8% v 64.8%).

        Regardless, I do agree that Lichaj is probably not going to take the USMNT to another level.

        Klinsmann is obviously looking for a quality level of skills in a fullback that he doesn’t believe that Lichaj possesses but others do.

      • If you think I’m saying we would magically be world beaters if Livhaj played for us, you are just a hypebolic dumbsh!t. The case of Lichaj is just one example of in-form starters getting ignored or overlooked, while benchwarmers and players in mediocre form continue getting call-ups. There have been many more over the years Are you just pretending to be ignorant, or shall we start listing them?

      • I was in too much of a hurry to do the math myself, just took Wikipedia’s percentage, so no El Commandante not false just different formula, you know number of wins divided by number of games.

      • Grunt: I don’t think you can consider JK for best ever until this next cycle is over, since Bruce whom most would consider the best had two WC runs and 3 GCs. My guess is Bruce probably ends up slightly ahead, but his 2006 WC puts him in reach.

        Second you could name guys mysteriously left out by every manager on every team in the world, even the great Bob Bradley had mysterious call ins and leave offs. If JK is a clown so is every manager the US has ever had. El Commandante I am sure will love to agree with that last statement.

  15. Kinda pissed about Danny Williams not in the squad. Maybe late inclusion for the second match. I see the logic of having the Liga MX players there, more knowledgeable to the playing style of the Guatemalans. Also see the Wondolowski logic. Puts himself in good positions and has a nose for the ball against sh*tty CONCACAF opponents. Although I really hope it’s his last hurrah.

    Wood, Dempsey

    Nguyen

    FJ, Bradley, Ale

    Castillo, Brooks, Cameron, yedlin

    GK??????!!!!

    Nguyen for FJ if he can’t play, slide deuce to CAM. Jozy for deuce if FJ can’t play.

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  16. Sometimes you need to take into account the opponent when analyzing the selections. Guatemala is one of the few teams Beckerman can still be a key player against. Same with Wondo, who if you haven’t noticed is still scoring goals in MLS.

    Castillo’s been playing well in Mexico, and we’re short on LBs. We’re playing a CONCACAF team not UEFA or CONMEBOL. That often dictates certain choices.

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    • That said…Alvarado? That’s along the lines of three years ago when Brek Shea kept getting “confidence” call-ups.

      Heck, I’d rather they called up Shea for these games….lol.

      Reply
      • Castillo is the starter for the first place team and his team gives up fewer goals than Santos, so you could easily argue Castillo has been better. Its not like he called in Bornstein who has played consistently with Queretaro.

      • Villafana has never played in a USMNT game, not even a friendly. He has played with the U-20’s. You don’t usually take someone with no adult international experience and play them in a qualifier.

  17. A bit surprised with some of the players called in…Beckerman, Castillo, Alvarado, Orozco, & Wondo…. Biggest snubs IMO Villafana & Williams.

    Reply
    • Hard to bring in Villafana when he’s never been in before with the seniors for a qualifier, Williams has cooled off of late with Reading so maybe that or his poor play against Costa Rica in October.

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      • disagree on Villafana…certainly the home game against Guat is not going to be the most intimidating game he’s played in.

      • After the poor performance in last years Gold Cup many of us were expecting things to be shaken up a bit concerning who would be called into camps. Yet in the January camp and again here in March we are seeing many of the same call-ups that failed to compete. Players like Beckerman, Evans, Orozco, and Wondolowski have served their purpose and need to retire from the national team. They are not going to move us forward.
        I guess the only hope those of us who want an infusion of new players can hope for is that if/when we get 4 points out of these March games that the next set of qualifiers will see the New faces (Villafana, Lleget, Pulisic, etc…) and the end of the wastes of space mentioned above.

      • You never, ever, ever, ever write guys out of the competition. Never. It’s ignorant to suggest something like that.

        It’s obvious that Lost In Space is lost in coaching.

      • then you bring him in, let him gel with the team, and maybe give him a few minutes in the second game. but he needs to be a part of the group ASAP.

    • I agree, you don’t write guys out because of age. That said, age can cause a player to take longer to recover from injury and as a player begins to miss more and more games due to injury, it is probably time to rethink that player’s value. Few teams can afford to keep players who cannot be counted on week in and week out. It often marks the beginning of the end of a player’s career.

      The players Lost in Space calls out are not in this category (you can argue that Dempsey is or even that Jozy is, the others, not so much). I don’t think Dempsey is yet past the time he will be a positive for the US national team, but the injuries are troubling. Truth be told, he is still one of the best players in the pool and until that is no longer true, he will be included if he is healthy.

      Reply
  18. As long as we don’t actually end up seeing Yedlin or Zardes in the midfield I’m alright with this roster. I don’t even care that Alvarado is there.

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    • That’s probably one of the combos JK is thinking, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he slides Castillo in for Orozco. JK loves the offensive wingbacks, and Castillo fills that role better than Orozco.

      TBH, I kind of wish he’d left Brooks to the U-23’s. Not that Brooks isn’t good enough, I just think he could be starting next to Miazga for the next decade, and they should start the chemistry development now with some tough matches against Colombia. We don’t need Brooks to beat Guatemala.

      Reply
    • Nope JK is sober. Castillo is the best left-back available right now in the USMNT pool (with FJ playing in midfield).

      Reply
      • you might have to excuse people for not thinking too much of Castillo considering he’s been given more than ample opportunity with the senior team after playing well with his club team only to look inept on the MNT. He seems to be having a fine season thus far for club but too many of us remember his failures, which by the way shouldnt preclude him from further call ups but the same thinking should be applied to other players too. Lichaj comes to mind, he has has been playing 90min every week in the championship and im also suprised Ream wasnt called up for this round of games.

    • the starting LB for the best team in Mexico. what more needs to be said? especially when we want to push FJ up and JK passes on Shea and Villafana (and Lichaj).

      Reply
  19. So, JK you’d rather take injured players with you than give others the opportunity? Wow! I guess that’s the reason people have lost their enthusiasm and excitement.

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    • Either you’re willfully ignorant or out of touch but he’s an absurd amount of players chances (to the bemoaning of some for not being consistent enough). This is World Cup qualifiers, not charity work.

      Reply
      • “This is World Cup qualifiers, not charity work.” Precisely, the coach should take fit players not his injured cronies. This team, this coach , this federation are all appalling. I was just swinging by and bam, Klinsi continues to disappoint.

    • Remember Gladbach said FJ had a strain when he returned in October then played him 4 days later, so their definition of injury maybe different than yours.

      Reply

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