Two years after the United States’ inspiring run at the FIFA World Cup, the national team is regrouping for 2014, and moving in a different direction.
U.S head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced the roster for two upcoming World Cup qualifying games, and that roster did not include a familiar name in American soccer, Jozy Altidore.
According to the Associated Press, Klinsmann was not impressed with Altidore’s overall national-team performance in practice or games over the last 14 months. Klinsmann, who is looking to lead the U.S. to its seventh-straight World Cup finals appearance, selected MLS stars Eddie Johnson and Alan Gordon ahead of Altidore.
“Obviously I’m disappointed in the decision,” Altidore said. “At the same time, I fully support the team in their efforts to get six points from the next two games so we can advance to the final round. My goal continues to be to do everything I can to help the team be successful.
Though Altidore has had some international success in the past, he is going through a dry spell at this level. His last goal for the national team came in an exhibition game against Slovenia, and he was not impressive in two games against Jamaica in September.
The decision to remove Altidore from the roster was the most significant change that Klinsmann made to the U.S. roster. The full roster can be seen below:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander, Spain), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City, England), Edgar Castillo (Tijuana, Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Maurice Edu (Stoke City, England), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim, Germany), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (AS Roma, Italy), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Jermaine Jones (Schalke, Germany), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim, Germany), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna, Mexico), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)
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