Twelve players from eight different MLS teams are among the 23 players named to the U.S. men's national team's 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster by head coach Bob Bradley on Thursday. The remaining 12 slots will be filled by European-based players as the U.S. side will look to defend its 2005 Gold Cup title in this year's edition that runs from June 6-24 in six cities across the country.
"As I have said, winning the Gold Cup is our most important priority this year, and I believe we have assembled a team capable of doing that," said Bradley. "We have a very good blend of talent, youth and experience. This is a great opportunity to continue to secure our place as one of the top teams in the region, as well as obtain valuable experience as we progress towards World Cup qualifying in 2008."
The New England Revolution, who sit atop the Eastern Conference with 17 points from eight games, lead the way as far as MLS clubs go, contributing three players to the team. Steve Ralston is the most senior of that trio, having been a part of the team that captured the title in 2005 by defeating Panama in penalty kicks at Giants Stadium. Ralston will be joined by Revolution teammates Taylor Twellman and Michael Parkhurst.
Two other MLS teams - defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA - will each send a pair to the tournament. World Cup roster member Brian Ching will be accompanied by Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark. For Chivas, goalkeeper Brad Guzan and the versatile Jonathan Bornstein, who each played under Bradley when he was the Chivas USA head coach, won't have far to travel to the camp when the MLS players join the European-based contingent on June 3 at The Home Depot Center, which Chivas USA call home.
Landon Donovan of the Galaxy completes the L.A. contingent on the roster. The veteran attacker, who already has five goals and one assist this year for the U.S. team, is tied for second on the all-time U.S. Gold Cup scorers list with Brian McBride at eight goals.
Pablo Mastroeni and Frankie Hejduk will contribute experience at the back, and they are the sole representatives from the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew, respectively. Rounding out the domestic group is Chicago Fire winger Justin Mapp, who has carried his 2006 MLS Best XI form into the new campaign, and Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson, who has returned to form this year with three goals and three assists in seven games.
The players based in Europe will not be strangers to MLS fans either, as five of the 12 previously called MLS their home league. Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley (son of head coach Bob Bradley) and Clint Dempsey all spent time in the USA's top flight before heading overseas.
The U.S. team will open the 2007 Gold Cup on June 7 at 9 p.m. ET against Guatemala at The Home Depot Center. They will follow that match two days later when they take on Trinidad & Tobago at 5 p.m. ET. The group stage will end for Bradley's team on June 12 (7 p.m. ET) vs. El Salvador at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. All three U.S. group matches will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and TeleFutura.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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)
