D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid and defender Steven Birnbaum were not among the names of 23 players called in by U.S. Men's National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann this afternoon to compete in friendlies in Denmark on March 25th and in Switzerland on March 31st. While the U.S. friendlies are taking place in Europe during a FIFA international fixture window, Klinsmann has included several players from Liga MX and MLS on the 23-man roster. However, there was no room for Hamid and Birnbaum in the U.S. camp. This means that both players will be available for United's upcoming matches against the New York Red Bulls today and next Saturday at RFK Stadium against the LA Galaxy.
What are your thoughts on the 23-man roster announced by Klinsmann? Should Hamid and Birnabaum have made the team? Or are you more happy to see them in Black-and-Red this week for two important matches? Sound off in the comments below.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Southampton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Julian Green (Hamburg), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht)