Roster Released for Swede Test

A few days ago in the midst of my winter slumber, US Soccer released the roster for their first friendly of the New Year against Sweden at the Home Depot Center on Jan. 19.

Landon Donovan finds himself one of the headliners of a mostly domestic based roster that will take on the Swedes after missing out on the last friendly with an injury.

Enough lead-up, let’s take a look at the thing…

GOALKEEPERS – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Matt Pickens (Chicago Fire), Zach Wells (D.C. United)
DEFENDERS – Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Todd Dunivant (Toronto FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS – Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS – Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus)

There are some good young selections here. Maurice Edu and Sacha Kljestan continue to impress in their midfield roles and give Bob Bradley a bit of a different look in the very crowded US midfield. The more the merrier.

The backline is a little on the interesting side with hopeful MLS-bound Ramiro Corrales and Eddie Robinson of the Dynamo getting the honor of the call-up. Good to see the young folks of Wynn and Parkhurst on the roster again though, while Jimmy Conrad and Danny Califf add the experience.

One thing that does not take a hit on a domestic based roster is the front line. Everyone here is in the running for the start or at least playing time, (sadly) even Taylor Twellman and his x-small kit. Even in the wake of a U-23 camp taking place almost simultaneously, Jozy Altidore has earned another call-up, further proving that Bob Bradley sees Altidore as one to make an immediate impact in the striker role and not just a prospect for the future.

Possible lineup…

———–Guzan———–

-Califf-Conrad-Parkhurst-Dunivant-

——–Clark—-Edu———-

-Kljestan—————Mapp-

——-Donovan————–

—————-Altidore——

Thoughts on the roster? Possible lineup you would like to see Bob use?