U.S. - Costa Rica

U.S. National team coach Jurgen Klinsman released the roster for the two upcoming matches.  The first match will be in sunny Southern California at the Home Depot Center against Costa Rica. 

There were a few surprises on, and off, the second roster Klinsman released.  I think Fabian Johnson was a big surprise for many people.  I had never heard of him.  He plays for Hoffenhiem in Germany.  He was on the U-21 European championship final team for Germany.  He recently switched allegiances to the U.S.  Some of you might ask why he is also a U.S. citizen.  Well, he is in the same group of Jermaine Jones and Timothy Chandler.  These half German half American soccer players have began to emerge in recent years first beginning with Jermaine Jones.  We can also go back to the early 90's with Thomas Dooley.  If Timmy Chandler and Fabian Johnson work out (hopefully Johnson's not like the previous 'Johnson' on the U.S. roster), Germany could turn out to be a great source for the U.S. soccer pool.  Maybe we can tap into other countries that have U.S. military bases.  Here is a list of military bases in Europe and Asia:

Germany- We've seen what mark GI's can leave there with regards to producing quality soccer players

Italy- We could find the next Giuseppe Rossi except this time Mr. Gulati won't let him get away

Bulgaria- There could be the first Bulgarian-American soccer player.  Who knows he might be the next Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United

South Korea- Just think, a 6'1 Park Ji-Sung 

The question is: Would Bob Bradley have been able to persuade Johnson to relinquish his chance of playing for a national team program that has one three World Cups and switch to a program that is still in its infancy compared to the rest of the soccer world?

Back to the roster. 

The two that were left off were Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.  Don't worry MB haters, Klinsman publically address the reason why these two, including Ricardo Clark, were left off.  He said that they had things to work out with their current club situations.  Unfortunately for those center midfielders, which is what the U.S. almost has too much of in the pool, it will be difficult to win a spot. 

Who I want to impress:
Zach Loyd- fast speedy defender that loves to make runs and brings a lot of energy to a game. 
Jeff Larentowicz- The Colorado man has been that solid center midfielder for a few years now in the MLS and can also hit wicked free kicks. 
Kyle Beckerman-  He has had more chances than Zach and Jeff with the national team but it was not until the last game when he really showed his MLS play could transfer to the national team. 
Juan Agudelo- He has had a pretty good MLS season and his time with the national team has been all what we've wanted. 
Teal Bunbury- He appeared on the national team scene the same time as Agudelo but has not had as much success.  Fortunately he is now playing better with Sporting KC.

Of course it will be good seeing, in person, much of the first team in Dempsey, Donavan and Howard.  I see the national team once a year and it is usually for the January friendly when Bob Bradley would field a "C" team. 
The game is at 8 p.m PST on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision.