USA’s first match of 2017 face Serbia
The U.S. Men’s National Team has announced that head coach Bruce Arena has selected the final 23-player roster that will face Serbia on Jan. 29 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff for the USA’s first match of 2017 is set for 1 p.m. PT, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and UniMas.
Five days after USA-Serbia, the MNT will make its first visit to Chattanooga, Tenn., on Feb. 3 to host regional rival Jamaica. Kickoff at Finley Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1 and UniMas (simulcast on UDN). Follow both matches on U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@ussoccer) and Instagram (@ussoccer) accounts.
A total of 31 players gathered in Carson beginning on Jan. 10 for the annual January Camp at the National Training Center. The delegation travels this afternoon to San Diego to begin final preparations.
“I have been extremely pleased with the effort and progress we have seen throughout the January Camp,” Arena said. “The entire pool of players has performed well and has made our roster decisions very difficult. We are excited to take the next step and look forward to the game against Serbia in San Diego.”
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION:
GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached),Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (LA Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union).
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Five players were released back to their clubs: Taylor Kemp, Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Rowe, Wil Trapp, and Chris Wondolowski. In addition, LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes has a minor contusion in his right knee and will not travel.
Meantime, Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore is poised to enter the record books on Sunday. Should he play against Serbia, Altidore will become only the 17th player in MNT history to earn 100 capsand the second youngest to achieve the feat after Landon Donovan.
With the draw, the U.S. moves to 0-2-1 all-time against Serbia.With the start, Jozy Altidore became the 17th player in MNT history to earn 100 caps. At 27 years, 84 days, Altidore is the second youngest player to reach the century mark, trailing only Landon Donovan (26 years, 96 days)MNT captain Michael Bradley made his 127th international appearance, tying him with Marcelo Balboa for fifth on the MNT’s all-time caps list.Sebastian Lletget, Chris Pontius and Jorge Villafaña made their international debuts. Lletget entered for Jermaine Jones at halftime, Pontius came on for Philadelphia Union teammate Alejandro Bedoya in the 65th minute and Villafaña replaced Greg Garza in the 69th minute.Nick Rimando returned between the sticks for the first time since April 15, 2015 vs.
Mexico and made two saves to keep his fifth career clean sheet.Center back Chad Marshall made his first MNT appearance since Jan. 23, 2010 vs. Honduras.After undergoing hip surgery and a near year-long rehabilitation period, left back Greg Garza earned his first cap since July 10, 2015 against Haiti.Arena deployed a four-man backline that featured a center back partnership of Chad Marshall and Steve Birnbaum with Graham Zusi inserted on the right and Greg Garza on the left.In midfield, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones paired as central holding midfielders, while Alejandro Bedoya and Darlington Nagbe started on the right and left wings respectively.Sacha Kljestan played in the attacking midfield role, supporting lone forward Jozy Altidore.
