Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas, teammates of American goalkeeper Tim Howard on Everton, were among the players picked by Belgium for its roster for a May 29 against the United States in Cleveland.
Preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Brussels on June 7, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots selected a star-filled roster that includes forward Christian Benteke, teammate of backup U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan at Aston Villa. Also chosen Thursday were Jan Vertonghen and Moussa Dembele, who play with American midfielder Clint Dempsey on Tottenham.
Wilmots' defensive options include Manchester City's Vincent Kompany, Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen and Bayern Munich's Daniel Van Buyten.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim, Germany), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Jean-Francois Gillet (Torino, Italy), Simon Mignolet (Sunderland, England)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Ajax, Netherlands), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City, England), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St. Petersburg, Russia), Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover, Germany),
Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich, Germany), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal, England), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham, England)
Midfielders: Nacer Chadli (Twente, Netherlands), Steven Defour (Porto, Portugal), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham, England)
Marouane Fellaini (Everton, England), Thorgan Hazard (Zulte-Waregem), Timmy Simons (Nueremberg, Germany), Axel Witsel (Zenit St-Petersburg, Russia)
Forwards: Christian Benteke (Aston Villa, England), Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen, Germany), Eden Hazard (Chelsea, England), Maxime Lestienne (Club Brugge), Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich Albion, England), Dries Mertens (PSV Eindhoven, England), Kevin Mirallas (Everton, England), Jelle Vossen (Genk)
