ASN: These 23 Will Rep U.S. in Copa America Centenario

Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, and Jermaine Jones headline Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster for Copa America Centenario, a high-profile match kicking off June 3 in Santa Clara, Calif.

BY

John Godfrey

Posted
Might 21, 2016
4:45 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

PERHAPS YOU’VE HEARD a factor or two in regards to the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Here is a bit extra in regards to the greatest soccer match to be performed on American soil because the 1994 World Cup: the USA roster.

GOALKEEPERS

Brad Guzan, Ethan Horvath, Tim Howard

DEFENDERS

Matt Besler, Steve Birnbaum, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timothy Chandler, Fabian Johnson, Michael Orozco, DeAndre Yedlin

MIDFIELDERS

Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Perry Kitchen, Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic, Graham Zusi

FORWARDS

Clint Dempsey, Chris Wondolowski, Bobby Wooden, Gyasi Zardes

It is a very protected, very acquainted, and really outdated squad. (The staff options eight gamers 30 or older, and three extra who’re 29.)

Slightly than giving the surging—and speedy—Jordan Morris a shot, U.S. males’s nationwide staff coach Jurgen Klinsmann chosen 33-year-old Chris Wondolowski. As an alternative of using Eric Lichaj or Tim Ream alongside the backline, the coach selected recurring underperformers Michael Orozco and Timothy Chandler. 

“This roster actually was put collectively based mostly on what we noticed over the past 12 months, and it’s one which makes us the strongest staff attainable to compete in Copa America and to hopefully shock lots of people,” Klinsmann stated through press launch. “We really feel that these 23 going into the very particular Copa America, they actually deserved to be there.

“Obviously when you get down and you decide on the final 23-man roster, there are very close, tight decisions to make. The moment when you decide, it’s about definitely who you feel the strongest about.” 

The coach added that Brad Guzan would be the default starter forward of Tim Howard. “As of today, the No. 1 is Brad Guzan,” he stated through FOX TV. 

The timing is a bit bizarre for this announcement, because it comes the day earlier than a warm-up match in opposition to Puerto Rico (midday ET, FS1, UniMas, UDN) and the day after federations have been required to finalize their groups. In an ideal world, Klinsmann would have had an opportunity to evaluate gamers beneath recreation situations earlier than submitting his roster. As an alternative, U.S. Soccer saved all people ready an additional day and introduced the 23-man record throughout halftime of Saturday’s New York Pink Bulls – New York Metropolis FC match massacre.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and many of the 16 collaborating nations launched their last rosters earlier than the People. The match will probably be a star-studded affair, as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Willian, Hulk, Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Javier Hernandez, and Luis Suarez all made the ultimate lower. The largest identify lacking from the match? Brazil’s Neymar, who opted to characterize his nation within the Rio Olympics somewhat than in Copa America Centenario.

As for the most important names left off Klinsmann’s roster, Jozy Altidore will miss the match because of a recurring hamstring harm; Omar Gonzalez was left off regardless of a robust season in Mexico; Lee Nyguen apparently misplaced out to Christian Pulisic; and Combine Diskerud didn’t make the grade. 

The US will face Colombia on June 3 in Santa Clara, Calif., earlier than heading to Chicago to play Costa Rica on June 7. The host nation will end group play in Philadelphia on June 11, squaring off in opposition to Paraguay. The entire schedule is on the market right here. 

The Yanks have introduced two extra warm-up matches in preparation for Copa America Centenario. The staff will play Ecuador Wednesday evening in Frisco, Texas, earlier than touring to Kansas Metropolis, Kan., to face Bolivia on Might 28. 

What do you consider the squad? Do you agree with Klinsmann’s decisions? Share your take within the Feedback part under, and create a U.S. v. Colombia Beginning XI with our patented drag-and-drop software.