As you may remember a few weeks ago, at the conclusion of the Gold Cup competition, I had said that although that Final was an important game in terms of getting another trophy I was more interested in friendly to be played this week against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo (https://www.thesportscol.com/
Since that was written, of course there was the move of Dempsey from Tottenham to Seattle and questions were raised as to whether he should be allowed to bed in with his new team or be called up to the squad for the friendly. When the 23 man squad was named it was minus the Dempsey name and in fact only had two players currently plying their trade in the MLS, and both from Dempsey’s new club, although three others do play in Mexico.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
The others are all now European based including Goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, Michael Bradley from Roma and Jozy Altidore of Sunderland. Only seven players remain from the Gold Cup winning squad as Klinsmann continues to rotate through his options before the World Cup next year.
It is another tough test for the US team in a tradition of facing big European sides on their turf throughout the two years Klinsmann has been in charge. Bosnia will be no pushovers and are currently ranked 13th in the world. This is one place ahead of England and six in front of the USA.
Jurgen Klinsmanns 23 man squad in full is as follows.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, 23 caps), Tim Howard (Everton, 90 caps) and Cody Cropper (Southampton, 0 caps).
At twenty years old Cody may not actually play any minutes but will certainly benefit from the three day camp in the senior side and will certainly be in contention for a trip to Brazil.
Defenders: John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin,0 caps), Geoff Cameron (Stoke, 18 caps/1 goal), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana, 12 caps), Brad Evans (Seattle, 12 caps/1 goal), Michael Orozco Fiscal (Puebla, 9 caps/2 goals), Michael Parkhurst (Augsurg 21 caps) and Tim Ream (Bolton, 7 caps).
Brooks recently transferred to the German Bundesliga and made his debut scoring the winning goal. At twenty years old he could have a bright future ahead of him. Tim Ream returns to the squad after an almost two year absence. At 25 years of age he still could have something to give to the side.
Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes, 19 caps/1 goal), Michael Bradley (Roma, 79 caps/11 goals), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana, 10 caps/2goals), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg,10 caps/2goals), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim, 15 caps), Jermaine Jones (Shalke, 32 caps/2 goals), Sacha Kljestan (Anterlecht, 40 caps/4 goals ), and Danny Williams (Reading, 12 caps).
Jermaine Jones at aged 31 has already represented Germany at senior level has now been playing for the US since 2010. This World Cup will probably be his last but minus Dempsey and co is a good solid professional to have in the camp.
Strikers: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland, 60 caps/17 goals), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna, 9 caps), Eddie Johnson (Seattle, 56 caps/17 goals), Aron Johansson (AZ Alkmaar, 0 caps), and Bobby Wood (1860 Munich, 0).
Bobby Wood has represented the US at various youth levels and will only be the second native of Hawaii to represent the senior side, Brian Ching being the first.
So which players should be watched on the opposite side. The defenders need to watch out for Manchester City front-man, Edin Dzeko, who, despite having a forgettable season last term, has started preseason very well.
Klinsmann will be looking to extend his record setting 11 match winning streak, which actually began against Klinsmann’s native and another Euro giant Germany. Wednesday will be a chance for the boss to see how some youngsters handle an International game along with giving some of the fringe players a chance to re state their case for continual selection.
