Eddie Johnson Excluded from the USMNT Preliminary World Cup Roster
By Cody Maggard
Jurgen Klinsmann has once again surprised us, as US Soccer unveiled its preliminary World Cup roster today.
Lets get straight to the USMNT roster, and who is and isn’t on it.
Goalkeepers
Tim Howard (Everton); Brad Guzan (Aston Villa); Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders
Geoff Cameron (Stoke); Timothy Chandler (Nurnberg); Matt Besler (Sporting KC); Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy); DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla); John Brooks (Hertha Berlin); Brad Evans (Seattle); Michael Parkhurst (Columbus); Clarence Goodson (San Jose); Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim); DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle)
Midfielders
Kyle Beckerman (RSL); Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes); Michael Bradley (Toronto); Joe Corona (Tijuana); Brad Davis (Houston); Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg); Maurice Edu (Philadelphia); Julian Green (Bayern Munich); Jermaine Jones (Besiktas); Landon Donovan (LA); Clint Dempsey (Seattle)
Forwards
Jozy Altidore (Sunderland); Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose); Aron Johannsson (AZ)
No Eddie Johnson or Brek Shea included in the roster, and that is somewhat surprising, especially in the case of Eddie Johnson. He was key in the qualifying process over the past couple of years and in this summer’s Gold Cup for the national team, but shaky form since his DC United move has left him off the squad. Brek Shea was thought to be useful off the bench this summer, but his lack of club stability has also excluded him. (Shea’s loan to Barnsley was terminated early due to an off the pitch altercation with a fan)
I personally like the inclusion of German-American right back Timmy Chandler. He is coming off a knee injury suffered in a Bundesliga match, but has been regaining his form of late. This will be his first camp with the US since last February during WCQ. He could be a dark-horse for the RB spot if he shines in camp. Chris Wondolowski is now just 7 spots away from earning a World Cu p spot. He had to be placed on the 30 man roster, because he has been on a complete tear for the national team in his appearances since the Gold Cup last summer.
15 MLS players make up the 30 man roster, and that is very interesting. The fact that half of the preliminary roster are MLS players really speaks to the quality of our league, and how it has grown. Maurice Edu earned a spot in this 30 man squad because he came back to MLS with the Philadelphia Union, and his performances this season could see him to Brazil. Young players like Julian Green and DeAndre Yedlin could also make it to Brazil. The RB spot is one of uncertainty, and Yedlin could prove himself to be useful off the bench when the US need speed down the flanks. Julian Green could go from a German youth player to a US World Cup player in a matter of months, which would be amazing. He has every chance to make that final 23, and even earn playing time in the Group of Death.
The 23 man final roster has to be released by June 2, and training will begin this week for these 30 players. You can follow the story of the roster with ESPN’s Inside: US Soccer’s March to Brazil documentary series, which premieres tomorrow night.
So, what do you think about the preliminary roster? Who should be included, and who should be on the plane to Brazil?