111112_isi_usavscanada03242012036 John Dorton/isiphotos.com
USMNT Roster

Klinsmann Calls in 20 Players for Russia Match

The U.S. national team coach named a roster filled with veterans for Wednesday's match against Russia. Youngsters Juan Agudelo, Joe Gyau, and Joshua Gatt also made the list.
BY John Godfrey Posted
November 12, 2012
6:06 AM
Klinsmann has picked his roster for Wednesday's match against Russia in Krasnodar. Here it is.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna)

And here's the most revealing thing the coach had to say about the picks.

“Calling in players like Mix Diskerud, Joe Gyau and Joshua Gatt is a clear signal to this generation of players that we are watching you, follow you, and want to help you get to the next level. This is a first taste for them and what it means to be with the senior National Team. They can train alongside guys like Timmy Howard, Jermaine Jones and Carlos Bocanegra and say ‘I want to get to this level.’ It’s also really an opportunity for them to come in, get accepted right away and show what they can do."

"Maybe they will even get some minutes in the game against Russia. It also means for them that they go back to their clubs with bigger expectations. We will tell them that now we expect you to become starters in your club team, break through there and get even hungrier. So it’s important that we give these guys the opportunity to join us.”

American Soccer Now Deputy Editor Noah Davis is on the ground in Krasnodar right now, and he will be providing exclusives throughout the week. Watch this space for more insights into the team, the training, and the match.

So...what do you think? Do you like the selections? Share your comments below, and be sure to create a Starting XI for the match.

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