World Cup vets Beckerman, Gonzalez included in USMNT squad to face Mexico
SAN ANTONIO --
United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann included World Cup veterans Kyle Beckerman and Omar Gonzalez in his 22-man squad to face Mexico on Wednesday.
Beckerman and Gonzalez return to the fold for the first time this year after featuring prominently in Klinsmann’s plans in Brazil last summer.
Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler and New York City FC midfielder Mix Diskerud also feature prominently in the MLS-dominated squad after missing out on the trip to Denmark and Switzerland last month.
The inclusion of nine World Cup veterans provides a familiar infrastructure for this date against El Tri at the Alamodome (live, 8:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Go) despite the absences of Jozy Altidore (one-match suspension after his red card in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland) and Clint Dempsey (hamstring strain).
Altidore’s absence paves the way for a first call-up in a year for New England forward Juan Agudelo. Stanford forward Jordan Morris also retains his place in the senior squad after his late summons for the date with the Swiss.
Tottenham fullback DeAndre Yedlin is one of two European-based players in the squad after making his Spurs debut as a substitute on Saturday, while Ventura Alvarado and William Yarbrough keep their spots on the roster after their maiden call-ups last month.
Klinsmann included six Mexican and European-based players on his roster, but the bulk of his squad hails from MLS given the placement of this friendly outside a FIFA international fixture date. He will trust his players to preserve his unbeaten record against El Tri (2-0-3 since taking charge) and secure a result as the CONCACAF Gold Cup preparations continue.
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), Michael Orozco (Puebla), 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), 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)
