Perry Kitchen replaces Michael Orozco on USMNT roster to face Mexico
SAN ANTONIO
D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen has replaced Puebla defender Michael Orozco on the U.S. men’s national team roster to face Mexico on Wednesday, U.S. Soccer announced on Monday morning.
The alteration provides Kitchen with another chance to impress after he featured in the U.S. squad to face Chile and Panama earlier this year. The versatile United linchpin offers depth in central defense and in central midfield as U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann assembles his lineup for the date against El Tri (live, Wednesday, 8:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Go).
Klinsmann hoped to name Orozco in his side once again after the Mexican-based defender impressed during the recent trek through Denmark and Switzerland. Orozco partnered John Brooks from the start in both matches and provided a steady presence on the right side of that central defensive partnership.
Orozco featured in the 22-man squad revealed on Sunday, but he ultimately remained in Mexico after discussions with his club.
Puebla is currently in the midst of a relegation battle with Leones Negros to avoid the drop into Ascenso MX next season. The two sides played to a fraught 1-1 draw in Guadalajara on Saturday to leave the race finely poised with four weeks remaining. Leones Negros currently sits a fraction of a point ahead of Puebla in the percentages table used to calculate the lone team relegated after the Clausura.
The predicament prompted Puebla to reassess its willingness to allow Orozco to link up with the national team in midweek. The club is not compelled to release a player for this friendly because the match does not fall on a FIFA-approved match date. The decision does not impact the availability of the four other Liga MX-based players on Klinsmann's roster or the players available to Mexico boss Miguel Herrera for the friendly.
Orozco's absence leaves a berth available on the right side of central defense. Ventura Alvarado and Omar Gonzalez look likely to compete for that place, though Brad Evans also features there for Seattle Sounders.
Updated U.S. roster to face Mexico on Wednesday (Alamodome, San Antonio)
GOALKEEPERS: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club León)
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club América), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Julian Green (Hamburg), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
