Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Jurgen Klinsmann has made his first roster selections as U.S. men's national team head coach, and there are surprises aplenty.
DaMarcus Beasley, Ricardo Clark, Heath Pearce and Jose Torres were just some of the surprising inclusions named by Klinsmann for the U.S. team's friendly against Mexico on Aug. 10 in Philadelphia. Some of the more regular faces on the roster include Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.
Here is the full 22-man U.S. roster:
GOALKEEPERS – Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton).
DEFENDERS – Carlos Bocanegra (St. Etienne), Edgar Castillo (America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nuremberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls).
MIDFIELDERS – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca).
FORWARDS – Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt 04), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy).
Some of the more notable omissions are Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Brad Guzan and Jonathan Spector, though Klinsmann said previously that certain club circumstances would prevent some players from being called in.
Klinsmann did summon a pair of defenders who have not represented the United States in a couple of years in Edgar Castillo and Michael Orozco Fiscal. Brek Shea and Kyle Beckerman were the only two MLS-based midfielders called in.
In total, seven players called in are from MLS, four ply their trade in Mexico and the rest play in Europe.
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What do you think of the roster? Whose inclusion are you most surprised by? Who would you have like to seen on the team?
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