U.S. Men’s National Team set to open 2014 World Cup qualifying vs. Antigua & Barbuda

The U.S. Men’s National Team opens the Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Group A when it takes on Antigua & Barbuda at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 8, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN3 and Galavision.

This qualifying match represents the fourth game of the USA’s five-game, 18-day stretch that U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is treating like a five-game tournament. The USA has never faced Antigua & Barbuda in any competition at the senior international level.

U.S. MNT 2012 Schedule

*2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – DETAILED ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

USA’S FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING LEADERS
The following are the top five leaders among the current U.S. Men’s National Team roster in career FIFA World Cup qualifying matches:

• Games: 1. Landon Donovan (35); 2. Carlos Bocanegra (26); 3. Steve Cherundolo (21), 4. (tie) Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu (20)
• Goals: 1. Landon Donovan (12); 2. Jozy Altidore (6); 3. (tie) Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey (5); 5. Carlos Bocanegra (3)

The following are the top five leaders among the current U.S. Men’s National Team roster who participated in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, when the team posted a 13-3-2 record:

• Games: 1. (tie) Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan (15); 4. (tie) Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Oguchi Onyewu (13)
• Goals: 1. Jozy Altidore (6); 2. (tie) Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (5); 5. Carlos Bocanegra (2)
• Assists: 1. Landon Donovan (11); 2. (tie) Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu (2)
• Wins: 1. Tim Howard (10); 2. Brad Guzan (3)
• Shutouts: 1. Tim Howard (6); 2. Brad Guzan (3)

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING – CONCACAF SEMIFINAL ROUND
The Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying for CONCACAF consists of three groups of four teams each, comprised of the top six seeds (USA, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba) being split into three groups and joined by six previous group winners from the second round (Panama, Canada, El Salvador, Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Guatemala). The top two teams from each group advance to the Final Round, with that stage to be played from February through October 2013. The top three teams automatically qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while the fourth-place team would then play a two-game playoff against the champion of the Oceania region to determine the other World Cup-bound team.

GROUP A STANDINGS

Group A Schedule
June 8
Antigua & Barbuda at USA
Guatemala at Jamaica
June 12
USA at Guatemala
Jamaica at Antigua & Barbuda
Sept. 7
USA at Jamaica
Antigua & Barbuda at Guatemala
Sept. 11
Jamaica at USA
Guatemala at Antigua & Barbuda
Oct. 12
USA at Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica at Guatemala
Oct. 16
Guatemala at USA
Antigua & Barbuda at Jamaica

GROUP B STANDINGS

Group B Schedule
June 8
Guyana at Mexico
El Salvador at Costa Rica
June 12
Costa Rica at Guyana
Mexico at El Salvador
Sept. 7
Mexico at Costa Rica
Guyana at El Salvador
Sept. 11
El Salvador at Guyana
Costa Rica at Mexico
Oct. 12
Costa Rica at El Salvador
Mexico at Guyana
Oct. 16
Guyana at Costa Rica
El Salvador at Mexico

GROUP C STANDINGS

Group C Schedule
June 8
Canada at Cuba
Panama at Honduras
June 12
Honduras at Canada
Cuba at Panama
Sept. 7
Honduras at Cuba
Panama at Canada
Sept. 11
Canada at Panama
Cuba at Honduras
Oct. 12
Cuba at Canada
Honduras at Panama
Oct. 16
Panama at Cuba
Canada at Honduras

USA-CANADA REWIND

• The U.S. increased its unbeaten streak against Canada to 15 games with a scoreless draw on Sunday, June 3, at BMO Field in Toronto. The USA is 8-0-7 during a stretch that dates back to April 4, 1985.
• U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard made three saves and the team posted its fourth clean sheet of the year.
• The U.S. saw an end to its three-game winning streak outside of the country as the team was looking to become the first to post four straight victories away from home.
• Clint Dempsey started for the first time since the team’s 1-0 victory at Italy on Feb. 29.
• Jurgen Klinsmann needed to make a late lineup adjustment following pre-game training as Edgar Castillo got the call to play left back for Fabian Johnson, who strained his right calf.

ROSTER NOTES

• Clint Dempsey is coming off a record-setting season for a U.S. international in England, recording his 50th Premier League goal and setting a single-season mark for league goals scored (17) and goals in all competitions (23). Dempsey scored the lone goal for the USA during its 1-0 win against Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa.
• Jermaine Jones leads the U.S. this year in games (5), minutes played (439) and assists (3). He scored his second international goal against Scotland in the 5-1 victory on May 26, heading home the USA’s fifth on the night. Jones helped Schalke 04 to a third-place finish in the German Bundesliga and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
• Michael Bradley played in a career-high 34 league games in his first season at Chievo Verona in Italy’s Serie A. Chievo finished in 10th place in the league table – the team’s best finish since it rejoined the top flight in 2008-09.
• Landon Donovan made his return to the National Team for the first time since September of 2011 when he scored three goals and assisted another during the USA’s win against Scotland on May 26. Donovan has 49 goals and 141 caps following the Canada match.
• Jozy Altidore finished his first season at AZ Alkmaar with 19 goals in all competitions, 15 in league play and four in the UEFA Europa League.
• Herculez Gomez became the first U.S. player to win both an MLS Cup title and Mexican League title as Santos defeated Monterrey in the Liguilla final. Gomez had 19 goals in all competitions for Santos this past season.
• Five players on the U.S. roster serve as captain of their club team: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Donovan (LA Galaxy) and Clarence Goodson (Brondby).
• Cherundolo led Hannover to a second-consecutive qualification for the Europa League, the side reaching the quarterfinals in this year’s tournament.
• Despite his time away from MLS play, U.S. forward Chris Wondolowski is still tied for the league’s goalscoring lead with the New York Red Bulls’ Kenny Cooper with 11 goals each.
• Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjaelland clinched the team’s first Danish Superliga crown last month with a 3-0 victory against Horsens. Parkhurst started and played the full 90 minutes at right back.

USA VS. ANTIGUA & BARBUDA SERIES

• The U.S. Men have never faced Antigua & Barbuda.

IN THE RECORD BOOKS

• Landon Donovan surpassed Jeff Agoos for the most starts in U.S. history with his 125th start during the USA’s 5-1 victory against Scotland on May 26. Agoos had held the previous record of 124 starts. Donovan currently holds U.S. records in career starts (127), goals (49), assists (48) and points (146). He is second in career appearances (141), trailing only 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Cobi Jones (164).
• U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra took sole possession of eighth all-time with his 103rd cap against Brazil, moving past former U.S. MNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller (103). In that match, Bocanegra also moved into sole possession of sixth all-time in career starts with 98, passing 2012 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Tony Meola (97).
• Defender Steve Cherundolo tied for 20th all-time in career appearances (82) with Brad Friedel, Eddie Lewis and Eddie Pope following the USA’s 1-1 draw against Canada on June 3. Cherundolo also took sole possession of 15th all-time in career starts with 78, surpassing Earnie Stewart (77).

BY THE NUMBERS:
3 Career hat tricks for Landon Donovan
6 Goals by Jozy Altidore in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying to lead all U.S. players
9 Five-goal games in U.S. history following the 5-1 win against Scotland on May 26
11 Assists by Donovan in 2010 World Cup qualifying to lead the U.S.
19 Goals by Altidore and Herculez Gomez with their club teams in all competitions this past season
29 USA’s current FIFA ranking
35 World Cup qualifying appearances for Landon Donovan

JURGEN KLINSMANN FACT FILE: Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is in the midst of his second year and first full calendar year in charge of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Below are some of his past accomplishments as a player and coach.

• Klinsmann was named the U.S. Men’s National Team head coach on July 29, 2011, making him the 35th coach in the history of the program.
• Klinsmann’s record as head coach of the Men’s National Team is 6-5-2, and he led the team on a five-game winning streak that started with a 3-2 victory on Nov. 15, 2001, against Slovenia and was capped off by a 5-1 win against Scotland on May 26, 2012.
• Klinsmann’s U.S. coaching debut was a 1-1 draw against Mexico on Aug. 10, 2011, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. During Klinsmann’s abbreviated 2011 tenure, opponents outscored the USA by a 7-5 margin. The U.S.’s two victories during the Klinsmann era in 2011 include a 1-0 win against Honduras (Oct. 8) and a 3-2 victory against Slovenia (Nov. 15).
• Klinsmann was named the Germany National Team manager in 2004 and guided Germany to a 20-6-8 record and a third-place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He earned Coach of the Year honors in Germany, and two years later, he took over the head coaching position at Bayern Munich.
• As a player, Klinsmann played 17 club seasons from 1981 to 1998 with the following teams: Stuttgarter Kickers (1981-84), VfB Stuttgart (1984-89), Internazionale (1989-92), Monaco (1992-94), Tottenham Hotspur (1994-95, 97-98), Bayern Munich (1995-97) and Sampdoria (1997-98). During that time, he scored 226 goals in 506 appearances. He was named German Player of the Year in 1988 and 1994 and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1995.
• Klinsmann earned 108 caps with the German National Team, scoring 47 goals. He participated in three World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998) and won the 1990 World Cup.
• Klinsmann was born on July 30, 1964, in Goppingen, Germany.

IN FOCUS: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

Antigua & Barbuda Football Association
Founded: 1928 (Joined FIFA in 1970)
Head Coach: Tom Curtis
FIFA Ranking: 100
Highest FIFA Ranking: 83 (2011)
Best World Cup Finish: Never qualified

HOW ANTIGUA & BARBUDA GOT HERE: Antigua & Barbuda, ranked 13th among CONCACAF teams, started the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying process in the second round. Antigua won Group F with a 5-1-0 record and 15 points, two ahead of Haiti. The team outscored its opponents 28-5 during the round and posted the most lopsided victory among the second-round teams with a 10-0 win against the U.S. Virgin Islands on Oct. 11, 2011. This is the first time they have reached the semifinal stage.

Antigua & Barbuda’s Group F Results in Second Round
Sept. 2, 2011: Antigua & Barbuda 5, Curaçao 2
Sept. 6, 2011: Antigua & Barbuda 8, U.S. Virgin Islands 1
Oct. 7, 2011: Antigua & Barbuda 3, Curaçao 0
Oct. 11, 2011: Antigua & Barbuda 10, U.S. Virgin Islands 0
Nov. 11, 2011: Antigua & Barbuda 1, Haiti 0
Nov. 15, 2011: Haiti 2, Antigua & Barbuda 1

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA UPDATE

• Seventeen players on the Antigua & Barbuda roster play for the USL PRO’s Antigua Barracuda FC, including two of the three goalkeepers: Keita De Castro and Molvin James
• Forward Peter Byers leads Antigua in career international goals (23) and career World Cup qualifying goals (8), and he is second on the current roster in career caps (36), trailing only defender George Dublin (42).
• Midfielder Quinton Griffith is the youngest player on Antigua’s roster at age 20. He has 10 career caps and two goals.

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Olson Forde, 18-Molvin James, 21-Keita Decastro
DEFENDERS (6): 2-Marvin McCoy, 4-Karanja Mack, 5-Marc Joseph, 6-Ranja Christian, 17-George Dublin, 19-Troy Dublin
MIDFIELDERS (9): 3-Joshua Parker, 7-Kimoi Alexander, 8-Mikele Leigertwood, 10-Keiran Murtagh, 11-Quinton Griffith, 13-Tamarley Thomas, 15-Lawson Robinson, 20-Akeem Thomas, 22-Justin Cochrane
FORWARDS (5): 9-Stefan Smith, 12-Kerry Skepple, 14-Randolph Burton, 16-Peter Byers, 23-Dexter Blackstock

LAST TIME
On the field for USA:
June 3, 2012 – BMO Field – Toronto, Canada – International Friendly
USA 0
Canada 0

USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo (2-Michael Parkhurst, 80), 21-Clarence Goodson, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) (5-Oguchi Onyewu, 62), 15-Edgar Castillo; 4-Michael Bradley, 13-Jermaine Jones, 10-Landon Donovan (7-Maurice Edu, 73), 16-Jose Torres (17-Jozy Altidore, 62); 8-Clint Dempsey, 9-Herculez Gomez (19-Chris Wondolowski, 80)
Subs not used: 20-Geoff Cameron, 22-Nick Rimando
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

CAN: 1-Lars Hirschfeld; 15-David Edgar, 4-Kevin McKenna (capt.), 5-Andre Hainault, 21-Ante Jazic (3-Mike Klukowski, 88); 9-Tosaint Ricketts (7-Iain Hume, 86), 2-Nik Ledgerwood (16-Pedro Pacheco, 73), 6-Julian de Guzman (20-Samuel Piette, 86), 8-Will Johnson, 14-Dwayne De Rosario; 17-Olivier Occean (10-Simeon Jackson, 65)
Subs not used: 12-Dejan Jakovic, 13-Atiba Hutchinson, 18-Milan Borjan, 19-Ashtone Morgan, 22-Kenny Stamatopoulos, 23-Issey Nakajima-Farran
Head coach: Steven Hart

On the field for ATG:
April 1, 2012 – Arnos Vale Stadium – Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – International Friendly
VIN 1
ATG 2

VIN: Kenyan-Desmond Lynch, Roy Richards (Geroni Peters, 87), Reginal Richardson, Keith James, Jolanshoy McDowall (Chad Balcombe, 22), Shemol Trimmingham, Damal Francis, Dorren Hamlet (Nical Stephens, 80), Shandel Samuel, Myron Samuel (Thaddeus Velox, 70), Cornelius Stewart
Head Coach: Cornelius Huggins

ATG: Keita DeCastro, George Dublin, Karanja Mack, Akeem Thomas, Luke Blakely, Kemoy Alexander, Quentin Griffith, Lawson Robinson (Kerry Skepple, 84), Randolph Burton (Eugene Kirwan, 49), Stephan Smith, Peter Byers (Ranja Christian, 76)
Head Coach: Tom Curtis