Looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium last Wednesday, U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley announced a 24-man roster for the June 4 friendly against Spain at the Estadio El Sardinero in Santander.
All 17 European-based players from the England squad traveled to Spain with the team, though defender Jonathan Spector has since withdrawn due to injury, while the MLS contingent arrived after this weekend's games. Ricardo Clark was not retained by U.S. coach Bob Bradley for Wednesday's friendly.
Landon Donovan was expected to reach a milestone 100th cap in London last week, but was held out with a groin strain. he will also miss the game Wednesday, Also being recalled for the match against Spain, ranked No. 4 in the world by FIFA, are midfielders Maurice Edu from Toronto FC, Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, who last played for the U.S. in a friendly against Sweden in August, 2007.
For Spain, the match will serve as its final tuneup for Euro 2008, where it has been drawn in to Group D with Russia, Sweden and Greece, the defending European champions.
Four days after facing Spain, which will be led by Fernando Torres, whose 24 goals for Liverpool this year was the most among a first-year foreigner in the English Premier League, the U.S. returns home to meet No. 1-ranked Argentina at Giants Stadium. More than 53,000 tickets have already been sold for that match.
The United States begins its World Cup qualifying in a second-round home-and-away series against Barbados, beginning at The Home Depot Center on June 15.
U.S. ROSTER (vs. Spain)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC/ENG)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland/NOR), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/GER), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC/ENG), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege/BEL), Michael Orozco (San Luis/ESP), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock/GER)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica/POR), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers/SCO), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen/NED), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Lewis (Derby County/ENG), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC/ENG), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (out of contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC/ENG), Josh Wolff (out of contract)
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
