USMNT takes on Costa Rica on September 2 at 10 p.m. CT at the Home Depot Center in California and will travel to Europe for a September 6 match against Belgium at 1:30 p.m. CT. The following is the 24 man roster along with my analysis, complete with calls for Houston Dynamo players to be called up.
GK: Hamid, Howard
No surprises. Howard is our keeper. I loved the Hamid call-up last time, and I'm still good with it. He did have a bit of a hamstring injury not too long ago, but apparently he's recovered enough. If he wasn't, Tally Hall has been lights out for Houston.
D: Bocanegra, Castillo, Chandler, Cherundolo, Goodson, Loyd, Orozco-Fiscal, Pearce, Ream
Here's one of my biggest problems. Edgar Castillo. I was surprised he went the full 90 against Mexico, especially with Heath Pearce waiting on the bench. His performance was shaky at best, not exactly what USMNT fans want to see at left back. If open to letting Pearce have a go at it, but I'd really like to see Eric Lichaj in this spot. The chances that he has had thus far at left back have been solid, even though he is a natural right back. Fans will be relieved to see Timmy Chandler finally back in the red, white and blue after the drama surrounding the latest call-ups. He should expect plenty of playing time after veteran Cherundolo at right back. Bocanegra, Loyd, Orozco-Fiscal and Ream all return from the Mexico call-up, and Clarence Goodson joins after starting the European season. Former FC Dallas defender George John could be another center back option, but is currently in the middle of a transfer to England's Blackburn Rovers. I'd also love to see Geoff Cameron get a look-see here, but that won't happen while he's playing attacking midfielder with the Dynamo.
MF: Beckerman, Dempsey, Edu, F. Johnson, Kljestan, Larentowicz, Rogers, Shea, Torres
No Jermaine Jones, no Michael Bradley, no Ricardo Clark. All three are trying to get their club situations settled, and that was the reason Klinnsman gave as to their exclusion. That gives Kljestan another shot, as well as Colorado Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and German-American Fabian Johnson. Larentowicz has been a key for the Rapids, but an injury forced him out of his last national team camp. I'll admit that I have no clue about Fabian Johnson. He plays for Hoffenheim in Bundesliga, and from the looks of it he's more of a defensive midfielder. Brek Shea is back, deservedly, as is Robbie Rogers. I'm not a fan of Rogers, but he did do OK with his playing time against Mexico. Add in that apparently he's buddies with Klinnsman, and you get a recipe for another call-up. Jose Torres will most likely be the creative force in the middle of pitch, although I'd still like to see Mixx Diskerud get some more call-ups. Edu looks to be a regular, and Beckerman is trying to be. Clint Dempsey returns after starting his season with Fulham, as expected. Freddy Adu is left out this time. Waiting on Stuart Holden to get back to health. Still no Brad Davis.
F: Agudelo, Altidore, Bunbury, Donovan
No real surprises, except that Donovan is still labelled as a forward. Altidore has been absolutely on fire of late, scoring two goals in the Gold Cup before injury, and now 5 goals in 5 games for his new club, AZ Akmaar. Agudelo is turning into a fixture with the senior squad, but the initial excitement over his first few performances is starting to wear off, and he'll need to continue to churn out productive performances to cement his spot for good. Teal Bunbury has had some struggles this season with Sporting KC, but he still has talent for a young player and will continue to get looks in the rotation of strikers. Much has been made recently about Joe Corona, an American born to a Mexican father and Salvadorian mother playing in Mexico. Bob Bradley was prepared to call him up to the match against Mexico before being fired, and then Mexico swooped in to call him up. Of course, he won't be tied to Mexico as these are only friendlies, but at the moment it looks like the US may have lost out on another promising young player. No Brian Ching. Ok, I don't really expect him to get called up, but if I'm going to mention Dynamo players at every other spot, might as well finish strong.
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