Geoff Cameron (pictured) was named to the United States roster for its friendly on September 9, 2014, at the Czech Republic. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - With a new World Cup cycle commencing, United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann already is thinking about the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Klinsmann on Thursday called in six players who have no international experience at the senior level to the 23-man roster for a friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague on September 9.
Fifteen players are 24-years-old or younger and 11 players have 10 caps or fewer.
"We look at this as the start of our project towards Russia in 2018, and in this first step we get to look at many of our talented young players based in Europe," Klinsmann said. "We have some great youngsters coming through the ranks that are starting to break through with their clubs teams and are ready to challenge for spots on the Senior Team, and even most of our World Cup veterans from Brazil on this roster will be coming into the prime of their careers in the next four years, so this is an exciting opportunity."
The six uncapped players are goalkeeper Cody Cropper (Southampton), defender Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), midfielders Emerson Hyndman (Fulham) and Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt) and forwards Jordan Morris (Stanford University) and Rubio Rubin (Utrecht).
Hyndman, 18, the grandson of former FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman, is the youngest player on the roster.
Ten players from the Americans' run to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil were selected. Striker Jozy Altidore has the most international appearances (71).
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was the lone Major League Soccer player named.
UNITED STATES ROSTER
(International friendly: September 9, 2014, at Czech Republic)
GOALKEEPERS: Cody Cropper (Southampton/England), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS: John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Michael Orozco (Puebla/Mexico), Tim Ream (Bolton/England)
MIDFIELDERS: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/France), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg/Norway), Julian Green (Bayern Munich/Germany), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham/England), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt/Germany), Brek Shea (Stoke City/England)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland/England), Joe Gyau (Borussia Dortmund II/Germany), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht/Netherlands), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich/Germany)
