U.S. roster vs. England announced

                                                                        Photo by ISI Photos

Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard highlight the 22-man roster chosen by U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley for the United States' upcoming friendly against England on May 28 at Wembley Stadium (3pm, ESPN Classic).

Beasley also earned the call after making his first appearance for Rangers last weekend since knee surgery six months ago.

One player not on the list is Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore, who has been in inconsistent form early in the MLS season. His absence is still surprising considering the lack of established forward options in the national team pool. It shouldn't come as a complete surprise considering the combination of club and Olympic obligations Altidore will have this summer.

Donovan was one of only three MLS players called in for the match (Brad Guzan and Ricardo Clark being the others).

Here is the rest of the U.S. roster:

GOALKEEPERS - Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS - Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS - Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract)

Here is the England roster for the match:

ENGLAND

GOALKEEPERS - David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

DEFENDERS - Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham)

MIDFIELDERS - Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

FORWARDS - Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

What do you think of the roster Bradley chose to face England? Surprised to see Altidore left home? Surprised to see three players (including two strikers) who don't have teams right now make the roster? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Stevie]

No JOZY???!!!

[Kevin]

And furthermore, why Eddie Johnson? What has he done for Fulham? Or even KC for the second half of last year?

[Rob]

How has Jozy struggled with his form? He gets zero service.

[Nicole]

Crap. There are NO right-sided midfielders listed... which means Donovan will play RM. I was so hoping Bob would move him back to forward.

[Mark]

Sort of glad Jozy isn't on there as a RB fan, but as a USMNT fan, it's a damn shame that he's not playing in all 3 of these games.

Happy that Jaqua, Orozco and Cervi are on the roster so they get more time to train with the senior team.

Should be fun to see how Bradley, Clark and Felihabre play against the central midfield of England.

[Homey Boehme]

Not happy about forward pool.

I know Landy and Deuce can handle it. Not sure about EJ, and haven't seen the other two to know what to say. Perhaps "out of contract" showing after their names says it all?

[Tim F.]

I'm interested to see how the USMNT midfield does in this game.

[Spencer]

Yeah our forwards are pretty slim picking. Cervi gets a pity call? I mean he was absolutely awful during the olympic qualifiers. But I guess he is out of contract, but they should have brought up Seitz. Would have liked to have seen Edu and Jozy in there and even Robbie Rogers not sure about this line up. Hopefully we see those 3 in the Argentina game.

[NateinSF]

beasley's not going to be able to play the full 90 minutes. So we are actually sort on both flanks. You could put Dempsey out the left side, which is where he was playing for Fulham at the end of the season, use LD on the right flank and play Adu as an off striker. kind of a piece meal roster here...lots of holes other than on D

[4now]

I think the most surprising omission is Cooper, to be honest.

I can imagine why you'd want to give Jozy a break here, and if he didn't play well (and there is no great likelihood we're going to have many chances in this match!) it could damage his MLS price tag.

But Cooper was reared at Man U, and we probably will need sides on set pieces.

Strange exclusion.

Starting lineup?

_____Dempsey___Johnson_____
Beasley____Bradley__Donovan
___________Clark___________
Pearce__Boca___Gooch___Dolo
___________Howard__________

(Not my choice, just what I think BB is thinking)

[onionsack]

i am happy thereisno Jozy for this one,he has been traveling everywhere lately for the US, U-20's, and U-23's.

I am sure he will play in the Argentina match here.

[Dominghosa]

Besides naming Donovan, who is critical for the USMNT, I believe Bradley only took those who weren't as crucial to his MLS team without sacrificing too much talent.
FCD will need Cooper, especially with the firing of Morrow.
Jozy hasn't been on top from and NYRB needs him as well.
Edu is crucial for TFC. As is Hejduk and Rogers for the Crew. And Sacha for Chivas USA. And Ching for Houston. And Pablo for Colorado. And so on.
The inclusion I wonder about is Cervi over Seitz (really? Seitz is a backup and is much, much better than Cervi. Though Seitz will probably be named to the rosters of the next two matches after England.)
I like the addition of Orozco (who replaces Hejduk on the roster).

[kco]

Eddie Johnson... Eddie Johnson? OKAY Coach. Guess Bradley decided to "rest" Jozy and save him for the Argie match up on his home turf (and I do mean turf).

[Jamie Z.]

On paper, there's quite a disparity in roster strength between the two teams. I don't imagine Spain and Argentina will be any different. Rooney and Nando are not Jared Borgetti. I think we, collectively, as American soccer fans, are going to have to try real hard this summer not to lose sight of the fact that these friendly matches are opportunities for growth and learning for our team. Even if we get blown out a couple times or drop all three matches, there's still plenty to gain from playing teams like this. A surprise result or two would be great, though.

[NateinSF]

they are bringing in grass i believe

[nicholas s.]

Woodgate comes from Spurs these days, not Boro

[Dominghosa]

If the MLS season was off for this friendly. Cooper would be in for Johnson. Hejduk for Califf. Sacha (or possibly Rogers) for Wolff.
For those who haven't seen Wolff play, you must be a pretty new fan of the USMNT/American soccer.

[Dominghosa]

If the MLS season was off for this friendly. Cooper would be in for Johnson. Hejduk for Califf. Sacha (or possibly Rogers) for Wolff.
For those who haven't seen Wolff play, you must be a pretty new fan of the USMNT/American soccer.

[ldq]

Only 3 out of the MLS and unlikely that Guzan will play. I guess its that time of the year when they are busy and European players are not, but would love to see more MLS'ers get some international playtime

[Utd fan]

Howard

Dolo Gooch Boca Pearce

Dempsey Bradley Feilhaber Beasley

Donovan Johnson

VS.

James

Brown Rio Terry Cole

Becks/Bentley Gerrard Barry Young

Agbonlahor Rooney

[Zungazan]

I wonder if Landy's gonna hitch a ride with Danleigh Beckstein's on his private jet.

[NateinSF]

Adu should really start looking at the options we've got here.

[Hans Hoffmann]

Danny Califf is still playing for Aalborg - is he transferring at the end of the season?

[FulhamUSA]

Why is Benny Feilhaber on this roster? Feilhaber has been horrible at every level the last 6 mounts. Why does Bradley continue to reward Feilhaber with call ups? Bradley continues to give this average midfielder chances . One thing is certain, coach Bradley has always been loyal to his guys. I continie to think that no matter what Feilhaber does he will always have a red white and blue jersey. And it dose to help that Feilhaber adituie is horrible.

[Amit]

Unfortunately, Jozy needs rest. Sometimes I think that the USSF will make up a U-19 squad so that Jozy can play another 5 games per yer.

[Ted]

What I want to see:

Howard
Dulo Gooch Boca Pearce
Donovan Bradley Clark Beasley
Adu Dempsey

What we will see:

Howard
Dulo Gooch Boca Lewis
Wolff Bradley Clark Donovan
Dempsey Johnson

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Go get Yanks! Are there any USMNT fans that think Jozy doesn't have the goods? The B-U23's play tommorrow a.m. at 9:30. Who's tuning in?

[Mike]

@FulhamUSA

I disagree about Feilhaber. Granted, I don't get to see Derby games so I can't account for his EPL play. But he looked good against Mexico a few months back. He was the only sub that did anything.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Hans, Califf's contract was up and he left Aalborg on a free. As for the rest of you, just chill. Ives has written on more than one occasion that the rosters will change during the course of these 3 friendlies.

[Ralph]

Well I would expect to see Jaqua and EJ up top. Let us use our real strikers and yes I know Donovan been scoring but he is no true striker. I am not suprise with the personels picked for these two big games in Europe. I am psyched for this game, and also I would like to see what EJ can do after not playing for Fulham first team for quite sometime. He needs a big boost of confidence. I could see Beasley come off the bench in this game also. I would like to see the 3-5-2 implemented but I doubt it will happen. I think that it could either be 4-4-2 Bucket or diamond. Should be a great hard fought game.

[Freddy]

Ives,

When did 1860 can Wolff?

[Utd fan]

Honestly, as long as the midfield pairing is NOT Bradley/Clark, I'll be satisfied.

[holdon]

for those of you who hate on felihaber, just stop commenting on soccer. you obviously have no clue what you are talking about. easily our most creative midfielder period. bad move to derby, but he is still one of our most talented players.

Bob still has not put one roster together that would give us a chance at success in 2010! WTF

[Garrett]

Beasley played RW for PSV and he could be placed there to get Eddie Lewis in the game.

[NateinSF]

the idea of eddie lewis starting is pretty disturbing.

[Nickel]

In my opinion, Eddie Johnson does not deserve to be called up. Instead, Cooper or Rogers should be playing in there in the forward position. Oh yeah, now Jozy can rest from all his various commitments.

In the back, Edu probably should have been summoned. Orozco and Spector both are playing well.

In the midfield it looks crowded. I wonder who will start.

Goalies Tim Howard will start.

[Ilya]

Headline on May 29: "Derby Reserve Stuns Three Lions at Wembley"

[Ilya]

Headline on May 29: "Derby Reserve Stuns Three Lions at Wembley"

[Murphy]

Does Jaqua really deserve to be on this squad? And our midfield definitely doesn't match up well with England's.

I think Feilhaber is a good player and creative but that earlier post did have a point--he hasn't been playing first team games for Derby, does he really deserve to be starting for the US national team?

[beckster]

Feilhaber? Pleeeeeeeeeeeze. You'd like to think that performance is rewarded by a call up to the national team. He does not deserve to be there. Let him show what he can do and redeem himself on the Olympic team. I'm sorry but Bradley needs an excellent holding midfielder with experience in this game. Where is Pablo? England is going to go through this midfield like a hot knife through butter.

[DemonJuice]

I wish Kenny Cooper were on the roster, but I'll bet FCD fans are glad he's not. He's in really good form right now and I'd bring him over EJ. I'm curious, is the friendly on a FIFA date where clubs are compelled to release players if asked, or did Bob Bradley come to a gentleman's agreement with FCD by leaving him out?

[Rando]

It ticks me off the fact that we bring players who are out of contract or not even dressing for their club teams what is is this the US nats Pre WC 94. WTF Bob if you aint seeing time wiht your club team then you should be in the National strip. Club coaches know theire better than anybody. If they arent make the gmae day roster then they must not be cutting on the field this should an indication to Bob. Also whats up with calling in Cervi he is trash. Again WTF Bob? at least he shouldve called Hanamenn. this begs the Question who's our true No. 2 it looks kinda bleek after Howard. hope u stay healthy Timmy cuz itddoesnt look good with out you.

[DemonJuice]

Rando:

Kasey Keller is our true #2 yes? Both he and Marcus just finished very tiring relegation battles and I'm not surprised either is left to rest.

[Dave]

Unless Beasely gets some playing time with Rangers in the two games (Thurs and Sat) I don't see how he can play next week. This is not the right game to play someone coming back from a long injury.

I am disappointed with the lack of depth in the forwards. Cooper instead of Johnson w/be ok.

I'm ok with Feilhaber being included as he is someone for the future who has probably had a raw deal at Derby. I'd love to see him play well and have people question why he could not get a game for Jewell: too much skill!

[Aquaman]

Imagine if both EJ and Feilhaber score in this game...two players who aren't getting playing time in the english league...that would be classic.

[Eugene]

We're in for a schooling, but at least we'll get to see how capable Bradley the tactician is in making do with the players he has.

Basically looks like we're taking a bunch of relegation survivors, U-20s, 2nd tier league players and Tim Howard, a legit goalkeeper, against a team built from ManU, Chelsea and Liverpool.

HAHAHAHAHA

Well, at least it'll be a real match to watch, not the nonsense of playing against CONCACAF opposition.

Could this be England's starting 11?

---------Owen------Rooney--------
-------------Gerrard-------------
--Downing----------------Cole----
-------------Lampard-------------
--Cole-----------------Woodgate?-
---------Rio------Terry----------
------------James----------------

Or perhaps England will just push up and be aggressive at home and pull:

---------Owen------Rooney--------
-------------Gerrard-------------
--Downing----------------Cole----
-------------Lampard-------------
------------Hargreaves-----------
-----Cole------Rio------Terry----
------------James----------------

[DemonJuice]

Don't discount the English's "ability" to play down to their competition.

[Eugene]

Oh wait a minute... not all of our guys survived relegation, some of them took that bullet

[Michael F.]

I know I'm stating the obvious but we need forwards, fast. Donovan adn Dempsy, OK. The rest are absolute jokes.

[Rocco]

Why are there people hating on Josh Wolff simply because he is listed as "out of contract"? He pretty much played in all his club games all year, but his season has just finished and it appears that his club didn't offer him another contract. This doesn't mean he's a has-been...instead, he's been starting on a Bundesliga club for a couple years now, and the B-liga is no slouch in Europe. Give him a break, he's not like Cervi who hasn't actually shown enough to get a team to even sign him in the first place. Y'all are reading too much into "out of contract".