U.S. Men’s National Team head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann today announced his initial 23-man roster ahead of the United States' first two qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Surprisingly not on that list is Seattle Sounders FC Forward Clint Dempsey as he will get to take a break from international play. This is something that Sounders fan’s will be rejoicing about if Seattle manages to get out of Dallas and move on to the Western Conference Finals.
Ten players will make their debut for the red, white, and blue including Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe who received his U.S. Citizenship this September and became eligible at that time.
The U.S. Roster by position:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton).
Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham FC), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC).
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Club Leon), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy).
Overall, not too many surprises in the team selection besides the break for Dempsey. The USMNT will take on St. Vincent & the Grenadines in St. Louis on Friday November 13th before traveling to Port of Spain to take on the away leg against Trinidad & Tobago on November 17th.
For the most part, with the exception of Hamid, Nagbe and Miazga the teams still participating in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs as of the first leg of the semifinals were all spared the risk of player injuries if they are to advance come Sunday and make it to the Conference Finals which MLS is holding off until after the international break.