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.