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The projected U.S. 23
by Paul Kennedy, February 3rd, 2013 9:42PM
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TAGS:  americans abroad, men's national team, mls, world cup 2014


[USA-HONDURAS] Last but not least, Jurgen Klinsmann will release the USA's travel roster for Wednesday's World Cup 2014 qualifier against Honduras (TV: beIN Sport, beIN Sport en Espanol, 4 p.m. ET) on Monday morning. All signs pointed to seven players, maybe eight, who played in last Tuesday's 0-0 tie with Canada being on the plane to San Pedro Sula, meaning several foreign-based stars won't be making the trip.

UPDATE: Klinsmann calls up 24 players

-- Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson, who started in the last two matches of the semifinal round of qualifying, were considered cinches.

-- Matt Besler (who tweeted a photo of him on the plane to Miami with Kim Kardashian) and Omar Gonzalez were expected to be brought to help at center back, the position at which the USA has the least depth.

-- All signs pointed toward MLS veterans Brad Davis and Brad Evans getting their first call-ups of the current World Cup qualifying cycle.

-- FIFA rules allow 23 players on the game-day match list, but it must include three goalies, so Sean Johnson would be the obvious choice to back up Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.

The situation regarding the contingent of foreign-based players Klinsmann will call in got a little clearer on Saturday when Fabian Johnson (who had been nursing a knee injury) returned to action in a winning effort for Hoffenheim.

These 15 foreign-based players would be considered pretty much locks to be headed to Honduras:

Goalies -- Howard, Guzan;

Defenders -- Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo, Michael Parkhurst and Fabian Johnson;

Midfielders -- Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Maurice Edu;

Forwards -- Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez.

That would leave one spot up for grabs.

Kyle Beckerman, the only other player besides Zusi and Eddie Johnson who played in the semifinal round of qualifying and attended the January training camp, has returned to Real Salt Lake following the Canada game.

Joe Corona tweeted Sunday that he was headed to Tijuana after the Xolos' 2-2 tie with Tigres, while Sacha Kljestan was still in Brussels Sunday night when he posted a photo of him sans mustache.

Davis' likely callup would mean that Klinsmann did not bring in Jose Torres, who played against Castillo and Corona in Saturday's top-of-the-standings clash in Monterrey.

The lucky 23rd player could be Juan Agudelo.



5 comments
  1. Rene Guerra
    commented on: February 4, 2013 at 12:48 a.m.
    How in hell this poor Klingsmann ended up embroiled in this nightmare: the USA men team? Those fellows of the USAMT play horribly. Why no one makes them watch Barcelona games to learn how to play the game?

  1. Matt Cardillo
    commented on: February 4, 2013 at 8:07 a.m.
    Rene: i too can complain about the US's poor play, but watching Barca does not equate to being able to play like Barca.

  1. David Mozeshtam
    commented on: February 4, 2013 at 12:27 p.m.
    And why, Rene, did you decide to share this piece of your brilliant insight here?

  1. John Soares
    commented on: February 4, 2013 at 1:07 p.m.
    I watch, Barca, Real, MU and other top clubs all the time!!! Still waiting for my "call up"!?!?!?:)

  1. Robert Kiernan
    commented on: February 5, 2013 at 7:04 a.m.
    Let's see if Klinsmann has the stones to play with a pair of dedicated Strikers rather than a lone ranger on Wednesday. Got to figure that based on the players brought in - yes Torres WAS included, no Agudelo was NOT - that we are going to be a bit light on flank players, so I'm guessing that Kljestan, Torres and Zusi, maybe even Williams, are the most likely "Wide" players to be used... but Brad Davis is just too slow to be used out wide on the Left at the International level, I would havve much preferred to see either Agudelo or Gatt brought in to play as a speedy winger. The lack of wide players makes me expect the formation to be rather defensive and that likely means a rather clogged midfield, so many of these guys really are central players, Jones, Bradley, Edu, Williams... and even though Fabian Johnson and Bocanegra are both listed in the 23 man roster, I'm far from assured that they are truly ready to go a full 90 minutes, yet we are only allowed three subs so playing either of them will be a real risky decision. I'm guessing it'll be something on the order of a 4-2-1-2-1... little real flank play and generally a rather defensive shape... hoping for a point from this match. ... (ICE)


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