USA Men’s national team head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann announced his 21 man roster for the upcoming friendly in Italy. Jurgen is returning 13 players from the side that defeated Slovenia in Ljubljana (full roster provided at the bottom). Klinsmann picked a fairly diverse squad with a mixture of MLS and European talent. A good mixture of international experience with some young talent make this team fairly attractive as they take on the five time world champs in Genoa.
Fresh off his loan spell at Everton, Landon Donovan joins the national team alongside fellow LA strike partner Edson Buddle. Donovan recently played 7 games for the toffees recording 6 assists and raised them up to 10th in the table. Former Everton teammate, goalie Tim Howard returns as net minder between the sticks for the stars and stripes. Also joining the national team from the EPL is Clinton Dempsey. Clint is currently having what could possibly be the best season for any American in the EPL with netting 10 goals and 4 assists.
Jurgen brings back the German contingent of: Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler, and Terrence Boyd. Terrence Boyd is the most recent of the Germans to switch over to the US national team. Boyd is 21 years old and looks to gain his first cap for the red, white, and blue against Italy. Boyd currently plays for the reserve team of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund. Netting 11 goals in 17 appearances this season for Borussia Dortmund reserves, Boyd could just be another young talented striker to contribute to USAMNT for years to come.
Jose Francisco Torres also returns for the US national team after suffering a foot injury last September. Jose “El Gringo” Torres just got back to the starting lineup for Mexican club Pachuca. Questions of endurance and fitness surrounded the Mexican American. Will El Gringo be able to make the cuts, crosses and passes we have been accustomed too? Is he fully recovered from the injury? Or is Jurgen calling him up to boost his morale and has no plans of using him?
This squad that was called in has talent, and a creative flair that could give the Azzurri a run for their money. Although the Yanks have not historically fared well in Europe, one has to feel that Klinsmann’s style is starting to wear off on the team. Win, Lose, or Draw this game offers up a bevy of learning experiences for the team as they prepare for World Cup qualifying.
Be sure to tune in on Wednesday, February 29th at 2pm on ESPN as the USMNT take on Italy in a friendly in Genoa.
GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7) : Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
DEFENDERS (7) : Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
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