Geoff Cameron (white jersey) will have a chance to earn his first cap of the year, when the USA hosts Peru on September 4 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mexsport)
CHICAGO – United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named an initial 23-player roster Sunday that will gather for training ahead of a September 4 meeting with Peru in Washington, D.C. Additional personnel changes will be made to the squad prior to another friendly against Brazil in Foxborough, Massachusetts, four days later.
The matches are being used as preparation for an October 10 playoff against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, for a berth in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
“The bigger picture is to get some answers for how we put things together for the Mexico game a month from now,” said Klinsmann. “Obviously we want to continue to have a good flow of guys from the Gold Cup, but also to bring back guys who are in position to compete for a spot on the roster for Oct. 10. Our message to these guys is simple: prove a point that you want to be at the Rose Bowl.”
A total of 15 players from the group were a part of the team that represented the United States this summer at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Three players have 50 or more appearances, while only five have 10 caps or less.
Matt Besler (defender) and Jermaine Jones (midfielder) could see action for the first time since February, while 2014 FIFA World Cup teammates Geoff Cameron (defender) and Tim Howard (goalkeeper) are back in the mix for the first time this year.
Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley and Seattle Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey will be added to the roster for the Brazil match, while goalkeeper William Yarbrough will return to Mexico’s Leon. He will be replaced by Chicago Fire custodian Sean Johnson.
The U.S. and Peru last met on February 16, 2000, in Miami. The five-time CONCACAF champion prevailed 1-0, improving their all-time record against the South American nation to 2W-1D-2L.
UNITED STATES ROSTER
(Training & international friendly: September 4, 2015, home v Peru)
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Tim Howard (Everton/England), William Yarbrough (Leon/ Mexico)
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club America/Mexico), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England), Greg Garza (Atlas/Mexico), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Tim Ream (Fulham/England)
MIDFIELDERS: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/France), Joe Corona (Veracruz/Mexico), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt/Germany), Danny Williams (Reading/England), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur/England)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/Canada), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen/Germany), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin/Germany), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen/Germany), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)