In the first friendly of 2009 for both the United States and Sweden, the US Men's National team will take a side light on European based players in to the match against Sweden at the Home Depot Center.
The vast majority of the 22 man camp that Coach Bob Bradley is looking at is made up of all MLS players save four.
The final roster will be cut down to 18 men, but Coach Bradley will have his pick from the following:
GOALKEEPERS: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids)
DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Ugo Ihemelu (Colorado Rapids), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjælland), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)
FORWARDS: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)
It's a very similar story for the Swedish side that is traveling half way around the world to tune up against the USA on the 24th and then against Mexico in Oakland on the 28th. Most of their European based superstars were not released by their club teams, many in the height of their respective races to the top of the table.
Nonetheless, both sides have players that are desperately trying to earn some staying power for their national team sides, so while the match may not be replete with brilliance, it will surely be full of heart.
4 comments:
Let's get this USA in 2010 party started now!
Nice touch on the Swedish alphabet - now Go USA!
This match is on FSC and Galavision only.
Mere formality before the US/Mexico match.
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