photo by Chris Brunskill/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Tim Howard headline a 21-man roster called in by U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for a friendly against Italy.
A heavily European-based roster was called in for the match on Feb. 29 in Genoa, with only five players plying their trade elsewhere. The match and preceeding camp will mark the first time in 2012 that Klinsmann will have his top players together, even if some are currently training with the U.S. Under-23 team.
"We're looking forward to having all the European-based players back in the roster and picking up where we left off with them from the Slovenia game," Klinsmann told USsoccer.com. "I'm excited about getting everybody together and challenging a world-class team like former World Cup winner Italy on their home soil. I think we have put a very competitive roster together. This roster was co-developed with the U-23 team because we wanted them to have a great preparation game before they go into Olympic Qualifying in March. Our roster is highly competitive and ready to give Italy a real fight."
Here is the roster:
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
This camp marks the first time that Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will represent the U.S. team under Klinsmann and their first time together since last summer's Gold Cup. Both players had missed previous camps for various reasons, including Donovan wanting to focus on MLS Cup back in November.
Donovan, Edson Buddle, Geoff Cameron and Nick Rimando are the four MLS players who made this roster. Jose Torres, who has missed the last few camps with an injury, is the only player on this squad who is plying his trade in Mexico.
Arguably the biggest surprise on this roster is Terrance Boyd. The 21-year-old striker was scheduled to join the U.S. U-23 team for its current camp in Texas, but those plans changed at the last minute.
Sources confirmed to SBI that Boyd packed his bags on Wednesday evening and was set to fly to Texas on Thursday morning before Klinsmann called to inform him that he would be flying to Genoa on Sunday instead.
Donovan, Dempsey, Buddle and Jozy Altidore are the other forwards on this roster.
"I'm curious to see Jozy Altidore and Edson Buddle," said Klinsmann. "Obviously seeing Jozy lose his starting spot worries us, and Edson is now back in MLS after leaving the Second Bundesliga, so there are a lot of interesting things to observe as we go into camp for these few days."
Regulars of Klinsmann's team who were not called in are Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Brek Shea and Oguchi Onyewu. The former three are currently in their first U-23 camp and the latter just suffered a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for two months, though Klinsmann is optimistic Onyewu will return for the start of World Cup qualifying in June.
"Obviously losing Gooch was a bummer, but we expect that he’ll be back and ready to go this summer," said Klinsmann.
Some of the more notable players missing from this camp are Sacha Kljestan, Benny Feilhaber and DaMarcus Beasley. Kljestan has been on a run of fine form with Anderlecht, starting in league matches and Europa League games. Beasley, too, has been playing well as of late for his club, Puebla.
Italy's roster is expected to be announced on Sunday.
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What do you think of the roster? Who are you surprised to see/not see on this team? Do you think this team can beat Italy?
Share your thoughts below.
based on what we have in the pool right now (Chandler Williams Lichaj Cherundolo) I’d say we’re more loikely to see a generation of wingback type players before we see true traditionla wingers of the DmB and LD ilk.
if JK is looking for players that can keep their cool with the ball at their feet while passing up from the back then Parkurst has earned a voice in the conversation. He and Ream can fight it our for Boca’s position.
People stop putting Jozy up top by himself. It will never work and never worked. He plays better with someone up top with him please people learn that. SMH.
what about Whitbread???
Yes, it was the tweet that Sacha made…
SK is a very good fit if JK wants to play a possession game. Great tech ability, offensive minded mid, etc.
i like the fact that jk decided to give tboyd a shot, the lad is young and physical and agressive. I definitely think Klejstan shoulve received a call up but o well. As a fan but unable to watch most bundesliga games, does Fabian johnson play defense or mid for TSG HOFF? Heres who id like to see start against Italy:
Goalie: Howard
Defense: Cherundolo-Goodson-Bocanegra-Chandler (would like to see johnson move back if he does play LB@TSG)
Midfield: Bradley-Jones-Johnson
Forward: Donovan-Altidore-Dempsey
1st sub in TBoyd
2nd sub in JCameron
SK pissed JK off by posted on twitter “are you watching” refering jk not seeing his outstanding play at his club.
Believe it or not, Torres with all his tallent is still considered a defensive mid. yes, way too many def mids.
It would be a better looking squad had Klinsman included Bornstein, What was he thinking when he left him out of the lineup.
I just wish he brought along a winger or two like Beasley or Feilhaber as Franco pointed those guys are 2 of the 3 somewhat surprises not to be included, but to me those are more surprising with the lack of wingers on the squad.
I would have liked to see Either Benny on the left wing, with Fabian Johnson behind him at Left Back, I know some people say he would be wasted but with him and Chandler on the outside backs it takes some pressure off of Boca and most likely Cameron….
Plus it gives them great speed natural feet on the full back spots (Fabian is a lefty no?) and more dynamic attack to support Donovan on the right and Benny Feilhaber on the left, could of done it with Beasley is just that he brings me memories of 09 Confeds vs Italy for some reason even tho I think it was Brazil that Beasley really messed up.
But overall best squad so far, we are missing Gooch tho, that sucks, Hope Ike Opara comes into the equation and maybe someone like Gale at the end of the year when the team has secured qualification to the Hexagonal. Still waiting on George John to link with a Euro team or re-sign with Dallas and keep it at Best XI MLS levels
Boyd makes the bench and your point is ? Obviously he is competing with Players on the team and reserves so if he is making the bench obviously he has some form. If you are trying to make me look stupid you failed.
You do not know if he is going to play for the A team at the next world cup you are not physic. He is playing with the A team now get over it. We have injuries. You did not give any real reasons why he should be dropped, just that it is a waist. Good job, backing up your point. -____-
well, there’s Landon, who just played wonderfully on the wing for Everton and Neville called the best right winger he’d played with, or one of the best…with this group, that’s where I think we will see Landon, on the wing
I like this
we disagree, and your post includes zero to change my mind. Paco has never played there, and it’s not his thing…he’d a deep lying central midfielder
totally agree, and would add that I think paco is an excellent sub when we have a lead. his compoausre and ball skills/distribution can be maximized and by playing 30 minutes or so he won’t tire and physically rish be over powered later in games
Messi’s balance is simply incredible…incredible
agree with all of this post Amy. well said.
Hamid would benefit from the experience, that’s why he’s with the U-23s where he will actually play and get that experience, instead of sitting the bench as the second or third string GK watching Tim Howard. I still don’t see the point of a third goalkeeper though, Rimando should be with RSL. Call in two goalkeepers and use the other roster spot on a non-defensive midfielder, like Kljestan or even Beasley or Feilhaber.
Whitbread is injured yet again.
I’d like to see:
————-Altidore——–
——-Dempsey————–
Donovan—-Torres—-Bradley
————Jones———–
Johnson–Boca–Cameron–Chandler
Fabian Johnson is a winger. Either that or a left back. He is not a d-mid. But of course four (Bradley, Jones, Williams, Edu) is still way too many d-mids.
Well, it’s just my opinion, but if JK is set on having a dedicated defensive midfielder that roams in front of the back four then I think that Torres is best suited for the position out of the folks he’s called up. I’d rather see Jones and Bradley roaming more box to box and we already know what Edu can do, so take the first half as an opportunity to see what Torres can do there, I say. If Beckerman got a shot when I think he lacks technical passiing ability and speed of Torres then I think it’s fair to try him out there.
Second half go to 4-4-2.
yes. switch to a 4-4-2
What is the point of bringing in Rimando. He is great but wouldn’t Hamid benefit more from the experience?
Also, why no Zak Whitbread?
Man, I wish Gooch didn’t get hurt. The man is a physical presence we really need in the spine of our defense. Goodson’s ok, especially with his height, but he’s way soft. Regardless, I would start this lineup next Wednesday in Genoa.
Timmy
Dolo Goodson Bocanegra TimmyC.
Jones
Landon Bradley Johnson
Deuce
Jozy
Solid observations and points. Sounds like this really boils down to philosophy, or even an aspirational POV. I agree that he has been something of a work in progress when we don’t have the ball (though prior to the injury, he appeared to be improving). I do think we need to have somebody in there that has the vision, presence, and touch to effectively transition to a more offensive posture. Too many times I see rushed or outright dumb passes from that position that just put the recipient in a bad position, leading to loss of possession. Torres in that slot full-time is probably an ambitious thought, but I’d like to see how it works.
I don’t know why Klinsi hates Sacha so much, he defiantly should be on it. Besides that it’s a good roster, but DMB deserved to be here too
BoardSnob
should be an interesting game.
are they getting new uniforms this year?
Who cares about being short. Torres isn’t good enough bc he doesn’t provide as much possession as people think, he is slow, he is a terrible defender, and he is not strong under pressure. His best game was against Panama which we lost. Bottom line I that we don’t win with Torres.
Johnson for Williams and you are on to something.
No. Just no. Torres is not good against quality opponents. His skill does not outweigh his lack of physical ability.
I can +1 that
Johnson is a bigger waste at LB than Chandler. Fab makes plays and leads his team in assists. Both are definite locks for 2014
He does have good ball skills and can work out of tight situations with his technical ability. No doubt about that. But I feel often times his passing is too simple to justify his presence. He’s a link man, he likes to collect the ball deep from the defense or defensive mid and play it to his attacking midfielders.
My comment about needing to play in situations where there isn’t much pressure in the midfield isn’t due to his ability to work out of that pressure, but the defensive responsibilities and work rate required to effectively handle a high pressure tactic. Even though he still needs a true defensive mid sitting next to him, because of where he likes to play in midfield, it still infers defensive responsibilities. In other words, you can’t play that deep in the midfield and not have to play D, which on this level he isn’t very good at. Finally, because Klinsmann likes to play a high line, it requires the center mids to pressure the other side when they have possession so they cannot play balls over the top. Your center mids need to have a good work rate as well as strong ball-winning skills to protect your backline (especially a slow one like ours), Torres’ subpar work rate doesn’t compliment our high line.
In my opinion, he’s a luxury player.
I’m pleased that Parkhurst was selected. He’s seriously underrated. Of course, there’s a good chance he won’t see the field, but still, it’s a step in the right direction.
Williams is a central player. Dolo and Chandler are locks for the outside positions until Lichaj or someone starts to play well on the left. Then and only then could I see Dolo getting phased out.
Why would this dissuade Germany? Look at Edgar Castillo. He did his one time switch, got called up for a few friendlies and hasn’t been heard from since. You don’t think “sticking it” to Mexico had anything to do with this? Jones and Williams, not sure of Johnson were all players we “stole” from Germany. You don’t think the Germans might not want to “stick it” back to us by luring Chandler, Boyd or Morales away. If anyone of those players files for his switch, he can never represent the USA.
Great line up! I think D Williams will come in for Jones or Boca. Not saying he is better than either or that Boca is in any trouble of losing his spot but it would be interesting to see how he fairs out there. DWill has been playing really well at CB for Hoffenhiem with another CB that I rate way lower than Boca or Cameron.
+1
Oh sorry I didn’t clarify. I’m talking about Klejestan. Torres wasn’t at the Gold Cup.
I really like Torres, and I was saying that people need to stop clamoring for SK to get a call up when he has never really done well with the nats.
truth. our midfield looks way too defensive here. Torres is really the only attacking midfielder. if we field another 3 DM midfield while quality attacking players are sitting at their clubs on a FIFA date i will be enraged. Klinsmann shouldn’t have to sacrifice attacking flair just to get as many Bundesliga guys out there as possible
They didn’t improve. They have always been that good but have been played out of position. Johnson is the best player in the midfield that we have. Watch early season Hoffenhiem matches. He is awesome.
i miss the good old soccer by ives days when all commenters knew what they were talking about…
Glad to hear it:)
Klejstan definitely deserves it over Williams. Klinsmann is way too in love with Bundesliga players.
Huh? Klejstan a creative player? Since when? He does not play the position for Anderlecht and there is nothing creative about him except his mustache.
Please tell me which Premier League and La Liga clubs are sniffing around for him? Come on stop it. He is an average player.
So a nice form of making the bench means he should be invited? Shows the US has no forwards.
D-mid is our deepest position. It also happens to be a place where we have many versatile players.
I don’t see why there would be any surprise to see so many called in.