SoccerAmerica - Klinsmann names roster for Mexico game 08/12/2012

[USA MEN] U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has called in 23 players for Wednesday's friendly against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (TV: ESPN2, ESPN3, Univision, live, 8 pm).

The squad consists of 13 foreign-based players -- seven from Europe and six from Mexico -- and 10 MLS players.

Three uncapped players are in the squad: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beitasour and Alan Gordon (both San Jose Earthquakes).

Brek Shea, who has endured a difficult 2012 season at FC Dallas, is back in the squad, as are two other members of the U.S. under-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics: Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) and Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna).

Five players who started the most recent U.S. game against Guatemala were not called in: Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, all European-based players.

U.S. ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beitasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), lan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).

16 comments

R2 Dad

commented on: August 12, 2012 at 5:52 p.m.

New rule: matches against Mexico (especially at Azteca) can no longer be referred to as a "friendly". Alternatives: semi-annual give-your neighbor-a-beatdown, death-match, un-friendly, or the Mexican coin & battery gauntlet.

cisco martinez

commented on: August 12, 2012 at 9:59 p.m.

Call me crazy, but what is Klinnsmann thinking on that back line?

Karl Schreiber

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 12:36 a.m.

I agree with your comments [R2, cisco]. These games should NOT be called national team games and the media should not be allowed to 'market' them as such, national anthems should not be played; they are scrimmages or practice games and should be labeled as such.

Bruce Moorhead

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 7:15 a.m.

Agree R2. Could not disagree more strongly with you, Karl. These games are always fiercely contested un-friendlys, much tougher than the average practice game. Have you seen a US-Mexico game? Cisco, our usual back line is getting old, and sooner or later you have to blood new players. Might as well do it in a tough non-qualifier. The 6 Mexican leaguers will bring much experience against the Mexico squad.

Walt Pericciuoli

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 10:19 a.m.

I agree with Bruce. Sooner or later we have to look at our young players under tough conditions.A non-qualifier v. Mexico at Azteca is perfect.I'll bet Mexico will not have their full "A" team either. I agree, Bradley,Dempsey,Cherundolo and Bocanegra don't have to prove anything, but Goodson should be there. Why Howard, Jones and Donovan?

cisco martinez

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 11:31 a.m.

I don't disagree we need new blood for the future, but if the players on that back line are the future of American soccer we are in deep trouble. Johnson is the only one that is impressive. Todd Dunivant is a prime example defender that hasn't been given a chance under Bradley or Klinsmann. Bruce Arena, almost put him on his 2006 squad and played extremely well. Clarence Goodson, another solid defender not on that roster. Castillo and Fiscal are just terrible tactically. Having personally played against Dunivant, he is clearly one of the most underrated left backs in the US.

Albert Harris

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 12:23 p.m.

Like most, the back line worries me, but, as noted, we have to blood replacements or Boca, Goose, And Steve C. eventually and this is as good a time as any to see how they perform under pressure. I imagine Goodson isn't there because JK knows how he will perform and his club probably is grateful. I imagine Howard is there because with that back line, an experienced hand was desired. Likewise, Donovan is the old hand on the offensive side and doesn't upset Clint's search for a new contract. My only guess with Jones is that he's the only guy in our squad who is as nasty as some of the Mexican defenders. One man's opinion only of course.

John Hooper

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 12:39 p.m.

De la Torre didn't name the "A" squad for Mexico, but it's a pretty strong "B" team featuring Hernandez, Guardado, Barrera, Rodriguez, Moreno, and other starters and rotation players. I don't see the USA doing well in this one, unfrotunately. Especially not at the Azteca. Still, as others have pointed out, it will be good learning experience for some of these young players.

Geren Nichols

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.

Tim Howard and Landon are the names that sell seats and boost TV viewers. They do not need additional game time to develop, indeed they might be worse off for extra work but in addition to winning today and developing to win tomarrow there is a business side of the game. If they did not bring Donovan there would be some seriously upset Mexican TV execs and billionaires .

Ric Fonseca

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 2:05 p.m.

Senores, have some of you ever been to a game at Azteca Stadium? Wow, it is an unbelievable experience! We saw US/Mex in a qualifying game several years ago, one of the most memorable experiences, and if you remember the Gold Cup game at the Rose Bowl, well, plgrims, Azteca was five more times raucous and the joint was a-jumpin' The point? The US faces a daunting game, whether it is the A or B Mexican team, still it is a very valuable experience as we - the US will have to travel back there in the coming months for the next round of qualifying games. And I'd like to say to Coach Klinsi: SI SE PUEDE!!!

Karl Schreiber

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 5:19 p.m.

Note to Bruce M: I can see my original comment could be misleading and am sorry for not expressing myself clearly. Yes, I have seen most of the US – Mexico games in recent history (~30+ yrs), games that counted and games that did not. The ones that ‘count’ (CONCACAF, WC qualification, Gold Cup etc) are exciting to watch and bring out the best in our squads. The exception to this statement was the US – Mex U-23 match in the qualification for the Olympics, an incredibly weak performance by our team with questions about our coaching staff’s decisions. – There have been matches under different ‘labels’, which IMHO were just practice games since the results did not ‘count’. While I agree those are of value to the coaching staff and to some players, I disagree with the marketing hype exhibited by the (TV) media and perhaps supported by USSF. I believe I can differentiate and realize the true objective in those games (such as rejuvenating our defensee (as you pointed out), and I plan to watch the match at Azteca. Even a scrimmage at this historic site is of value. But let’s call a spade a spade.

Mike Gaire

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.

Cisco and Karl, I am not sure I understand why you don't like the defenders listed apart from the fact that Jurgen continues to ignore the 29 year old who is the best left back in America by a country mile, I am, of course, referring to Todd Dunivant!!!!

Mike Gaire

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 6:23 p.m.

I think Castillo is a good future prospect who should ride the bench and watch Todd Dunivant show him how its done!!

Karl Schreiber

commented on: August 13, 2012 at 11:30 p.m.

Mike Gaire: I am all for experimenting and I do not dislike Dunivant. In fact he has impressed me in some of the matches I saw. We need to identify potential successors to some of the current regulars. And this is the true value of informal MNT games such as the one on Wednesday.

Walt Pericciuoli

commented on: August 14, 2012 at 10:05 a.m.

Fabian Johnson will be the USA LB for many years to come. We need to find a back up for him. At age 29, it won't ever be Dunivant.I think Klnsi has identified our most immediate needs are on the back line and is looking to fix it.

cisco martinez

commented on: August 15, 2012 at 1:06 a.m.

Castillo has little tactical or defensive awareness. Beitashour is not ready defensively, although his attacking capabilities are promising, fiscal just not a strong center back, besler who? Cameron well see, just getting into stoke, well see how he performs. Johnson played well against brazil and is one of the best left backs in germany.

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