Columbus Crew fullback Frankie Hejduk was a late addition to the United States training camp roster for Saturday's critical World Cup qualifier against Honduras in San Pedro Sula and next Wednesday's match against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium. The veteran of four qualifying campaigns is expected to join Bob Bradley's squad Tuesday night in Miami.
Hejduk is one of nine Major League Soccer players on the U.S. roster. He joins Columbus Crew teammate Robbie Rogers, as well as Stuart Holden, Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark from the Houston Dynamo, Colorado Rapids forward Conor Casey, Los Angeles Galaxy standout Landon Donovan, Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein
The U.S., which sits atop the final hexagonal stage with 16 points from eight matches, can wrap up a sixth consecutive World Cup bid with a win in San Pedro Sula. Led by Toronto FC midfielder Amado Guevara, Los Catrachos are attempting to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982. Winners of three of the last four, Honduras is in third with 13 points, two points behind second-place Mexico, but just one in front of Costa Rica.
The Ticos will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak at home Saturday when they take on Trinidad and Tobago. Former Soca Warriors and Jamaica coach Rene Simoes is in charge, replacing Rodrigo Kenton, who was sacked on Sept. 14.
Earning a call-up to Simoes' first squad is Seattle Sounders FC defender Leo Gonzalez. After facing the already eliminated Soca Warriors, who will feature D.C. United defender Julius James, at home Saturday, Costa Rica head to Washington, D.C. to take on the USA in its final qualifier next Wednesday.
After a scare early in the final hexagonal stage, Mexico has turned things around and has won four consecutive games, one point behind the USA. Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will be on the field for El Tri, which hosts El Salvador Saturday at Estadio Azteca. San Jose Earthquakes teammates Ramon Sanchez and Arturo Alvarez have been called into the La Selecta Cuscatleca squad. El Salvador, which has eight points from eight matches, is home for Honduras in the final round of qualification next Wednesday.
Ten months after winning the Oceania qualifying zone, New Zealand will meet Bahrain in a two-game series, beginning Saturday in Manama, with the winner booking their ticket for South Africa 2010. The second leg will be played in New Zealand on Nov. 14. New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens and San Jose's Simon Elliott have been called into squad as the All Whites attempt to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will play for England, which has already punched its ticket to the World Cup, meets Ukraine in Dnepropetrovsk Saturday and then plays host to Belarus on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.
Columbus Crew forward Alejandro Moreno joins Venezuela, which is just one point behind fifth-place Argentina. La Vinotinto host Paraguay in Puerto Ordaz Saturday before heading to Campo Grande to face Brazil, which already booked its ticket.
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul has been called up to the Senegalese squad that will play a friendly against South Korea next Wednesday in Seoul.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
