CHICAGO (Feb. 23, 2012) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named a squad of 21 players to prepare for the match against four-time World Cup champion Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa. Kickoff for the teams’ first meeting on Italian soil since 2002 is set for 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision. The match takes place on the first FIFA international fixture date of 2012, which allowed Klinsmann to select all available players. U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION - DETAILED ROSTER GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) DEFENDERS (7) : Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim) FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy It's not much of a snub, though - Klinsmann's clearly looking at foreign-based players, considering he's only called up four MLSers. I don't think Benny needs to read anything into this one (though I'm sure he'd have liked to play Italy).
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy I don't know if Feilhaber was necessarily snubbed. He played well, but not necessarily well enough to force his way into a packed midfield. Kljestan on the other hand, was DEFINITELY snubbed.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Kljestan isn't good enough. That has been proven time and time again.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Bingo! Kljestan should never wear the US jersey again,,,,same with Bornstien
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy His bad performances for the MNT were like 2 years ago. He's killing it at Anderlecht. Klinsmann said he wants to call up player in form. Kljestan is the definition of "in form" right now. He's one of the best players on a first place team in the Belgian league and he's likely to transfer to a Bundesliga or EPL team this summer. There are a total of 8 teams in those leagues combined that are interested.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy and when he goes to those leagues he will rot on the bench because he isn't good
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Klinsey has already said it... that Benny is not in the plans for this but is for later fixtures.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Maybe 3-4 Europa games and 1-2 in Jupiler. I didn't say he wasn't good for Anderlecht. He has been pretty good there. We just know what he is and what he isn't for the international level. His touch and speed are not up to that level.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy If Kljestan keeps playing the way he has been in Europe, he will force his way back into the picture. Looks like this roster is set for a 4-4-2 with a bucket midfield. So Kljestan could be out of the mix for tactical reasons at the moment. Gooch is another notable absentee. Meanwhile, I think it's fair to say Geoff Cameron just took a big step forward in the USMNT picture. Perhaps Parkhurst has as well. I'd be mildly thrilled if those two started as the CD pairing.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy I think this roster screams a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. There's no wide midfielders on the roster. Gooch is out for the next two months after injuring his right knee.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Well, there is that Donovan guy. He may be listed as a forward, but he's played the wing for the USMNT for years. I suppose Dempsey could play under the striker in a 4-2-3-1, though I'm not sure the deep midfielders can move the ball with the fluidity to pull off the 4-2-3-1. They could try 4-3-3. Didn't realize Gooch was injured. Too bad. I was hoping he was being left off because Klinsmann has decide he doesn't want CDs with glacial speed.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy I know it didn't happen for a while, but not sure if it's happened yet ... so, is this the first game that Donovan and Dempsey would play together under Klinsmann?
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Apparently "Belgium isn't a top league" Jesus, Klinsmann sounds outright delusional at times. Belgium isn't a top league, but MLS and Scotland are? Yikes. As far as Feilhaber, I'm confident he'll get other opportunities before qualifiers. IMO, he's as good as Torres.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy I think Feilhaber's future with the Revs and possibly the USMNT lies in a deeper holding/distributing/and defensive position than we have seen him play so far.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Last night's match didn't give any indication of that. Given the fact that it seems like the goal is to get both Shalrie and Simms on the field at the same time, Rowe and Feilhaber will probably be floating around between the wings and the middle supporting whoever our target man up top ends up being.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Bornstien never will be called by Klinsmann. I also dont think Kliestan brings enough to the table I think Benny has not had enough chances. He has shown well in the last WC and continues to do well in MLS. He can create but for some reason, Jurgen doesn't seem to like him. I really hope he isn't holding his complaining during the last friendly he played against him but he was being tackled and dragged to the ground on every set piece. Jergen should have been doing the complaining. We need more creative people on this team
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Let's hope this "snub" is serious motivation for Benny to kick ass for the Revs and get back on the radar for the USMNT.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy That's pretty harsh IMO. Kljestan isn't without talent - his problem is consistency. Bornstein, OTOH, ... I'm guessing he never actually said that - that you're inferring it from some of his statements and his picks? I have no doubt that strength of league may be an important factor for him, but I doubt it's the only one.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Benny is very much a bubble player for the USNT. I hope he makes it because it will take an outstanding season for the Revo.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy It's frustrating also because he was basically an automatic pick under Bradley, and always played well, and Klinsmann has replaced him with a plethora of guys who honestly aren't that great (or at least more one-dimensional), IMO. Equally frustrating is that for a coach who basically implied he'd be bring a more attractive attacking style to the USMNT, he's overstocked all of his rosters so far with DMs and the team is playing (again IMO) uglier soccer than the Bradley Nats.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy I believe Benny has a role with the USNT as a late game offensive sub. Much as Bob used him. JK has too many of the same type midfielders. As previously stated he needs to have a great season with the Revo.
Re: Feilhaber Snubbed for Italy Benny may have a chance to get called up. Jones, Torres and Chandler will all miss the Italy match. I figure one of Benny, Sacha or Beckerman may get called.