Klinsmann goes with largely European-based team
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Feb 27, 2014
Klinsmann called in just about every European-based player who is available, though many have little or no chance of going to Brazil.
European-based players who have been sidelined include right backs Timmy Chandler and Steve Cherundolo and midfielders Stuart Holden and Josh Gatt.
Just back from injury are Eric Lichaj and Jonathan Spector from the English League Championship, but neither was called in for the Ukraine game. Lichaj was called in for the November 2013 friendlies; Spector was supposed to be called into the March 2013 qualifiers but was a last-minute scratch because of an ankle injury. Klinsmann also did not call up Bobby Wood of 1860 Munich.
Packwood, Spector's Birmingham City teammate, would have started for the USA at the Under-20 World Cup but suffered a broken leg. He has since returned to action for the Blues and is considered one of the top young prospects in the back.
Edgar Castillo was the only player based in Mexico called in for the game. He plays for Tijuana along with Joe Corona and Herculez Gomez, both of whom have seen their World Cup prospects fade in the last six months.
Xolos play Saturday, allowing Castillo to catch a flight to Europe on Sunday. The only other Mexican-based players likely still on Klinsmann's radar for 2014 are DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco. Both play for Puebla whose game Sunday against Queretaro would make it very difficult to get to Europe.
Klinsmann can still see them on April 2 when the USA plays Mexico in Glendale, Ariz. Castillo won't be available if Tijuana beats the LA Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League. The semifinals will be held the week of the USA-Mexico game.
Bradley did not play in the Feb. 1 friendly against South Korea. Facilitating his call-up is the fact Toronto FC doesn't play on the opening weekend of MLS play March 8-9. The only teams that are off are San Jose and Colorado. The Earthquakes play in the Concacaf Champions League the following week.
The Ukraine-USA match was previously set to be played in Kharkiv, Ukraine, but the location was changed due to current conditions in Ukraine. Kickoff at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca is set for 2 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local), and the match will be broadcast on ESPN2, WatchESPN and UniMas.
The USA will assemble in Frankfurt on Monday for two days of training before heading to Cyprus.
U.S. Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Southampton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (7): John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Oguchi Onyewu (Sheffield Wednesday), Will Packwood (Birmingham City), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (Barnsley), Danny Williams (Reading)
FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (Utrecht), Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar)
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JK should keep in mind Timmy Chandler and Stuart Holden. They are still recovering from injury, but should be healthy for Friendly in April vs. Mexico. I am sure their teams could release them. They are much more talented than Gooch Ounewu, or a Sacha Kljestan. I don't even know why Gooch was called up. He's washed up! And Juan Augedelo? He never scores. Altidore is also inconsistant, and should be replaced as starter by Aaron Johansson.
Actually, Josie scores quite regularly for the US, so until that stops, I think it's still his job. Actually, I'd kinda like to see a true 4-4-2 with Josie and Johansson up top together, just to see how it went. As for Agudelo, he's still a kid and Jurgen wants to get a look. This IS a friendly, after all, and one where we don't have all of our regulars. As for Gooch, though, I have to sadly agree. His best days are most definitely behind him.
I would be shocked if Bolton released Stuart Holden for any national team duty anytime in the next 12-18 months after the injuries he's had. They are undoubtedly regretting saying he could play last summer. If I was part of Bolton's ownership, I would be telling both Holden and Klinsmann something along the lines of "don't even think about it."
I agree with Eric Shinn. I would like to see Josie and Johansson up top together. Josie needs service, which he receives with the USMNT, something he is not receiving with Sunderland.
I agree with Eric shinn about Jodie, Aron and Juan. I don't care they Jermaine plays USMNT, and I' m not sure about Sacha,
Klinns has only showed flashes of a 4-4-2 based on the opponent's inability to keep possession like alot of last summers GC games......I would be astonished if he didn't continue his 4-2-3-1 alignment in an effort to protect our least of WC experienced backline players he is going with......