COLUMBUS, Ohio — Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo will be back in the defense when the US national team take on Jamaica in their massive World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (8 pm ET, ESPN2, live chat on MLSsoccer.com), manager Jurgen Klinsmann confirmed on Monday.
Bocanegra, who has spent several weeks clearing up his club situation, was on the bench for last Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Reggae Boyz due to a coach’s decision. Speaking at his usual prematch press conference, Klinsmann said he will replace the suspended Clarence Goodson in central defense, most likely alongside Geoff Cameron.
“Carlos will be back tomorrow, and he will be our captain,” Klinsmann stated. “He totally understood our decisions, which had to do with his last couple of weeks, as well as the Mexico game where we tried out new things and we were very pleased with what we’ve seen. But he’s back in the team. Stevie is back in the team, fortunately.
Cherundolo, who sat out Friday’s match with a hamstring injury. He went through a full training on Sunday and is fit to start on Tuesday.
“They are ready and very, very hungry for that game,” Klinsmann added.
