Bob Bradley, recently confirmed as the permanent head coach of the U.S. National Team, announced today his 23-man roster. They will seek to defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup title in the 2007 edition of the tournament that takes place from June 6-24 in six cities across the United States. Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson has been selected to the squad. He is one of 12 MLS players on the 23-man roster.
Johnson has made 24 career appearances for the national team, scoring nine career goals. He ranks 8th on the 23-man roster in appearances and 3rd in goals. Only Landon Donovan (30) and Demarcus Beasley (12) have more goals than Johnson. So far in 2007, Johnson has appeared in each of the United States' four matches. The Red White and Blue are 3-0-1 thus far in 2007.
Johnson has been one of the best players in MLS thus far in 2007. His three goals and three assists lead the Wizards and have him near the top of the MLS leader board in each category. All three of Johnson's goals have been game-winners. He is currently tied with New England Revolution and U.S. National Team forward Taylor Twellman for the MLS lead in that category.
The USA kicks off action on June 7 vs. Guatemala at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 8 p.m. CT, and will also play their second group match there on Saturday, June 9, vs. Trinidad & Tobago at 4 p.m. CT. The group stage will end for the U.S. on June 12 vs. El Salvador at 6 p.m. CT after a cross-country trip to Foxborough, Mass. All three U.S. group matches will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Telefutura.
Bradley and his squad have a busy schedule ahead in 2007, competing in both the Gold Cup and the upcoming South American championship: Copa America. The United States has not participated in Copa America since 1995.
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3) - Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Defenders (8) -Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (8) - DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
Forwards (4) - Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards),Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
