Twenty-one players have been called up by Jurgen Klinsmann for Friday’s match between the United States and Ecuador.
The Connecticut-based match is being called a tribute match for USMNT legend Landon Donovan. On Oct. 14, the States will face Honduras in Florida, but the roster is expected to be different.
Of the six Major League Soccer players called up, only two represent a team that has not clinched a playoff spot, and it would take a nearly impossible finish for Luis Gil and Nick Rimando’s club, Real Salt Lake, to miss the postseason. MLS has come under fire for scheduling games during the international break.
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Notable names missing from the first game’s roster are Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) and Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders). Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, Matt Besler and Graham Zusi were also left off the roster, but their teams have yet to clinch MLS playoff spots. Not to mention Bradley has two matches this week.
The roster is missing several names from September’s call-ups, as Tab Ramos will be using Emerson Hyndman, Jordan Morris, Rubio Rubin and Cody Cropper for this week’s camp and next Monday’s U-23 match against Brazil.
Full roster
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Julian Green (Hamburg), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Joe Gyau (Borussia Dortmund), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich)