Photo by Jay LaPrete, AP
US Soccer announced the squad who will play against Honduras and Panama in a crucial string of World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday via Twitter.
Clint Dempsey returns to the US squad after suffering from an irregular heartbeat that sidelined him the rest of the 2016 MLS season. Dempsey makes his first start since last June’s Copa America Centenario.
Along with Dempsey, goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Geoff Cameron make their return to the US team after injuries of their own.
The addition of these key veterans complements the inclusion of youth talent represented by the in-form Christian Pulisic, Walker Zimmerman and Jordan Morris.
The US plays home to Honduras on Friday March 24 at 9:50pm CT and then away to Panama on Tuesday March 28 at 9:05 CT.
The two qualifiers will be the first for Bruce Arena’s second reign as manager and come as near-must wins.
The squad contains the following players:
U.S. MNT Roster by Position (Club; WCQ Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough/ENG; 13/0), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids; 33/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo; 33/6), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER; 2/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG; 19/2), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX; 12/0), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/MEX; 6/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 2/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas; 1/0), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union; 6/0, Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 31/5), Jermaine Jones (LA Galaxy; 16/0), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 15/1), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 0/0), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers; 3/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 5/2)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 33/16), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC; 36/13), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 3/0), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER; 8/3)