Roster announced for USMNT’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers

Bruce Arena named his roster for the United States’ upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, and there were no real surprises in the names that he brought in. With four points from their first four qualifying games, the US is currently in 4th place in the Hexagonal, which would put them in a playoff game against an Asian team for a spot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The US kicks off preparation for the two World Cup Qualifiers by hosting Venezuela on Saturday in Salt Lake City. Then, it’s off to Denver, Colorado, to face off against Trinidad and Tobago on June 8, before heading to Mexico City to take on their fiercest rivals on June 11. Last time out against Mexico, the US lost 2-1 at home in Columbus, Ohio, which, coupled with the loss in Costa Rica, led to Jurgen Klinsmann’s firing from the head coach position.

Arena named 27 players to the roster, most of whom were part of the squad in the last set of qualifiers, against Honduras and Panama. The group is highlighted by youngster Christian Pulisic, who had a good season in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, and has quickly become an integral part of Arena’s set up.

Tim Howard will be expected to man the goal for Arena, who welcomes back DeAndre Yedlin to the roster, who missed the March qualifiers due to an injury picked up with Newcastle United.

GOALKEEPERS (4): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 13/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 0/0), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids; 35/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (11): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo; 33/6), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City; 11/1), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER; 3/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG; 20/2), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; 3/0), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 14/0), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas; 0/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 4/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 2/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 6/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City; 17/3)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 2/0), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX; 2/1), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 8/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 33/6), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 15/1), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers; 5/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 38/18)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 36/16), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC; 38/18), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 3/0), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER; 8/4)