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USA announces roster for Netherlands friendly (Updated)

Tim Howard (ISIphotos.com)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley named the 20-man roster for Wednesday's friendly vs. the Netherlands in Amsterdam and, as expected, the roster is loaded with European-based players.

Just three of the 20 players called up for the match are MLS players, four counting Landon Donovan, who is currently with Everton on loan from the LA Galaxy. Veterans Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley will lead the squad.

Another veteran to get the call is DaMarcus Beasley, who has been out of the national team mix since the Confederations Cup. He is joined on the squad by Glasgow Rangers teammate Maurice Edu, who has been out of the national team mix for almost a year after knee surgery sidelined him for nine months.

Here is the squad that will face the Netherlands at Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday:

GOALKEEPERS– Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton) 

DEFENDERS–  Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United) 

MIDFIELDERS– DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS– Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Here are some thoughts on the roster:

Brian Ching's absence shouldn't be seen as a snub. Bob Bradley was careful to point out last night that just because a player isn't called in doesn't mean he's suddenly out of the mix. It could mean he wants to see other players in those roles. Eddie Johnson clearly needs to get a look and this is his best chance. No need to bring in Ching with Johnson needing a look and Altidore likely to start up top.

Robbie Findley getting the call would seem to suggest that he has beaten out Jeff Cunningham, at least early on, for the top speed striker role. Findley didn't have a good game vs. El Salvador, but he probably outplayed Cunningham over the course of the past six weeks in camp.

Heath Pearce getting the call shows that Bradley was impressed with him vs. El Salvador. The fact that Pearce got the call and Castillo didn't should probably put to bed the Castillo for the World Cup talk. Doesn't look good for the Tigres defender at this point.

Alejandro Bedoya getting the call is very promising. He's a talented young winger with some goal-scoring punch. Robbie Rogers' struggles certainly open the door for Bedoya to move up the depth chart.

Don't assume Freddy Adu was snubbed. He stated on Twitter today that he's carrying a hamstring injury. That probably ruled him out. Only Bradley knows for sure, but considering Adu is playing regularly now and Bedoya is still in pre-season, it probably isn't a stretch to say that Adu's injury opened the door for Bedoya.

Surprising absences? No real glaring ones come to mind. Kenny Cooper being left out isn't a surprise considering he's only seeing sub minutes for Plymouth.

What do you think of the squad? Which call-up surprised you the most? Who do you think should have been called up that wasn't?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Maybe the preliminary Dutch roster would help?

    Note: Van Persie still injured. Van Nistelrooij did not want to be selected (yet?).

    Ibrahim Afellay M(PSV), Ryan Babel F(Liverpool), Otman Bakkal M(PSV), Mark van Bommel M(Bayern München), Edson Braafheid D(Celtic Glasgow), Wout Brama M(FC Twente), Giovanni van Bronckhorst D(Feyenoord), Eljero Elia F(HSV Hamburg), Orlando Engelaar M(PSV), John Heitinga D (Everton), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar F (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong M(Manchester City), Dirk Kuyt F(Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen D(HSV Hamburg), André Ooijer D(PSV), Arjen Robben F(Bayern München), Stijn Schaars M (AZ), Wesley Sneijder M(Inter), Maarten Stekelenburg GK (Ajax), Rafaël van der Vaart M(Real Madrid), Piet Velthuizen GK(Vitesse), Ron Vlaar D (Feyenoord), Michel Vorm GK (FC Utrecht), Gregory van der Wiel D (Ajax) en Demy de Zeeuw D(Ajax).

    Reply
  2. Thing is, both of those friendlies will be after the final roster for South Africa will have to be submitted, I believe. Ives, can we get a confirmation on this? Is there a set date yet for final roster submission? I was trying to search for it on FIFA.com, but I came up with nada.

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  3. Simek played well in the 2007 Gold Cup but has been fighting injury for much of the time since then. I understand he’s been in good form of late for Sheffield Wednesday, and it’s probably good to bring him in, especially with the poor form Hejduk exhibited at the end of last year and the injury problems that Spector’s had over the years and that Cherundolo currently has.

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  4. Had me for a little while, then you didn’t go anywhere with it. What are you trying to say? What solution do you propose? In two sentences, what do you see is wrong?

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