Jürgen Klinsmann Talks U.S. Men’s Soccer, Preliminary Roster for 2014 FIFA World Cup

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U.S. men’s soccer head coach Jürgen Klinsmann announced his 30-man World Cup roster today and spoke to the media in a teleconference. The 30-man roster that will head to the USA’s World Cup preparation camp at Stanford University on May 14.

The 30-man list must be trimmed down to 23 and submitted to FIFA by June 2, which is a day after the USA takes on Turkey.

The naming of the roster brings excitement in the soccer world, meaning it’s just that we are that much closer to the biggest spectacle on the planet.

“It’s just exciting because we can get to work and we can see the players day-in and day-out,” said Klinsmann.

Only nine out of the 30 players on the list represented the USA in South Africa four years ago.

The obvious names on the list include Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman, Clint Demspey, and despite lack of form, Landon Donovan.

Something that wasn’t much of a surprise, but definitely worth noting was the inclusion of 18-year-old midfielder, Julian Green. Green is under contract at Bayern Munich and is one of the upcoming stars in U.S. soccer.

Going with a bit some more youth, Klinsmann also included 20-year-old Seattle Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin. Yedlin has represented the U-20 U.S. squad four times and represented the senior team two times.

“With Julian and DeAndre, we have two huge talents being part of that 30-man roster,” Klinsmann said. “I think it will be interesting to see how they take that challenge because they obviously don’t have the experience the other players have.”

“We’ll see clearly over the next three weeks if they are ready for the World Cup or not.”

Defender Timothy Chandler, who hasn’t had a cap for the U.S. since Feb. 6, 2013, found himself on the 30-man list.

Chandler has refused multiple call-ups in the past due to injuries and was not called up by Klinsmann for the Gold Cup in 2013.

“I think he (Chandler) is a player that can make a difference,” Klinsmann said. “He has the experience to play against very good and strong players throughout Europe and that’s why he earned his way back into the group.”

With every list, you have your snubs. Eddie Johnson and Brek Shea come to mind almost immediately. Johnson scored a key goal in World Cup qualifying and Shea scored the winner in the Gold Cup final, but they will take no part of the festivities in Brazil this summer.

“Every call you make is a tough one. It’s a very personal one and it has a big influence obviously on their well-being in that moment, but career wise because you are missing out on the biggest tournament that you can play in your careers.”

“This is my perspective, this is my opinion,” Klinsmann said. “I know that every coach would probably name a different 30-man roster. We have to feel good about the decision that we took for our 30-man roster.”

USA topped Group C in the 2010 World Cup and will have to perform extremely well to do the same in Brazil.

The USA are grouped with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana, who knocked the U.S. out in the Round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup.

Klinsmann and the U.S. start their World Cup campaign against Ghana on June 16.

USMNT 30-man roster:

GK (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders (11): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin),Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

Midfielders (10): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis, Hoston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphis Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards (6): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

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