Klinsmann omits Donovan and looks to MLS for first USMNT squad of 2013
With the start of the World Cup hexagonal qualifying group less than a month away, and the prospect of a Gold Cup in the summer, Jurgen Klinsmann started a vital year with the announcement of a squad for this month's training camp — with a lineup that for once leaned heavily on MLS players.
Lest that be seen as an about face for a coach who has been wary of too much experimenting with players from the league — preferring to look at players who have had some European or Mexican league experience — this squad was always likely to have this emphasis. Coming during the MLS off-season and the peaking of the European leagues (and concurrent player commitments), this is a chance for the coach to run the rule over some fringe players and new international trialists from the domestic league, and perhaps unearth a couple of future gems, such as the ones he turned up in Graham Zusi and Geoff Cameron last year.
Of the 25 players selected, 21 play in MLS, and 12 of the 19 teams are represented. Some are players who've been around the edge of the squad before - Kyle Beckerman has been in and out of the scrum of defensive midfielders Klinsmann has tended to favor, and players like Brad Davis and last year's MLS MVP and goalscoring machine Chris Wondolowski each have national team records, though neither club talisman has broken double figures for international games played. Juan Agudelo, too, is in the squad, trying to find his way back after his passage from teenage phenomenon lost its way somewhere en route to a dreadful Chivas USA side last year.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/07/jurgen-klinsmann-landon-donovan-usmnt-2013
US Squad
Goalkeepers (3): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
Defenders (9): Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), A.J. DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Connor Lade (New York Red Bulls), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Jeff Parke (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (out of contract), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg/Norway), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Joshua Gatt (Molde/Norway), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards (5): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Edson Buddle (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)