Klinsmann makes roster changes for USMNT match against Brazil
CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has made three changes to the roster that defeated Peru on Sept. 4 in Washington, D.C., adding Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley, Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and Stanford University forward Jordan Morris.
The three additions bring the U.S. roster to 25 players leading up to the team’s friendly against five-time World Cup champion Brazil, presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance, on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Along with the three additions, defender Matt Besler and goalkeeper William Yarbrough have rejoined their clubs.
“We were impressed with Matt Besler this past week,” said Klinsmann. “We definitely saw what we needed to see from him as we prepare for the Mexico clash and Sporting KC badly wanted him back for Wednesday, so we agreed to send him home.”
Though forward Clint Dempsey was originally scheduled to join the team ahead of the Brazil friendly, the decision was made to have Dempsey remain with his club team Seattle Sounders FC as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
“I had a good conversation with Clint,” Klinsmann said. “He’s still not 100 percent and we agreed it’s best to let him stay with Seattle to allow him to continue making progress ahead of next month’s match against Mexico.”
Kickoff for Tuesday’s friendly against Brazil is set for 8 p.m. ET and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, UniMas and Univision Deportes Network. Fans can also follow the match live on Twitter @ussoccer.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
