The USA will travel to South Africa with a very young roster on Wednesday night to play their first road game since the summer’s last 16 finish at the World Cup.
While it is an away game, there is no doubt the USA will be in familiar territory. Thanks to the World Cup and Confederations Cup among other fixtures, this will be the USA’s 12th game in South Africa in the last three years. USA holds a 5-4-2 record in the previous 11 games, the first being a 1-0 victory over South Africa, and the most recent a 2-1 overtime defeat to Ghana in the World Cup Second Round.
Since the World Cup the USA has played three home games, losing to Brazil before gaining back to back draws against Poland and Colombia. Bob Bradley will hope to gain a morale boosting win in this game, while also allowing him to explore his options on the long road to Brazil 2014.
The squad selected will allow American fans a glance into the future. Many young players are included, and the average of the squad is 24 years old. One exciting inclusion is 17 year old Juan Agudelo, the Colombian born player is a prodigy from the New York Red Bulls Youth Academy.
Tim Ream and Teal Bunbury are two more young stars who have shone in Major League Soccer and will receive their opportunity to show their ability on the international stage.
Jonathan Bornstein, Eddie Gaven and Robbie Findley are among the familiar faces on what is a very young USA roster. Stars such as Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are rested as Bradley will give youth a chance to shine.
South Africa will be fielding a more experienced lineup than the USA, Coach Pitso Mosimane has selected 11 of the Bafana Bafana World Cup roster. Siphiwe Tshabalala, scorer of the World Cup’s first goal will likely start, while Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar will captain the team in the absence of the rested Aaron Mokoena.
South Africa will also field some new faces that include forward Davide Somma, who has been in good form for English Championship club Leeds United. Siyanda Xulu and Matthew Pattison are also set to win their first caps.
Pienaar is excited to wear the Captain’s armband and spoke confidently of his team’s chances when talking to the South African Football Association website. “I think we should beat them as we have a lot of skillful players in Bafana Bafana. I am pumped up for this match and I want to score goals,” said Pienaar.
Since the World Cup the USA has played three home games, losing to Brazil before gaining back to back draws against Poland and Colombia. Bob Bradley will hope to gain a morale boosting win in this game, while also allowing him to explore his options on the long road to Brazil 2014.
The squad selected will allow American fans a glance into the future. Many young players are included, and the average of the squad is 24 years old. One exciting inclusion is 17 year old Juan Agudelo, the Colombian born player is a prodigy from the New York Red Bulls Youth Academy.
Tim Ream and Teal Bunbury are two more young stars who have shone in Major League Soccer and will receive their opportunity to show their ability on the international stage.
Jonathan Bornstein, Eddie Gaven and Robbie Findley are among the familiar faces on what is a very young USA roster. Stars such as Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are rested as Bradley will give youth a chance to shine.
South Africa will be fielding a more experienced lineup than the USA, Coach Pitso Mosimane has selected 11 of the Bafana Bafana World Cup roster. Siphiwe Tshabalala, scorer of the World Cup’s first goal will likely start, while Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar will captain the team in the absence of the rested Aaron Mokoena.
South Africa will also field some new faces that include forward Davide Somma, who has been in good form for English Championship club Leeds United. Siyanda Xulu and Matthew Pattison are also set to win their first caps.
Pienaar is excited to wear the Captain’s armband and spoke confidently of his team’s chances when talking to the South African Football Association website. “I think we should beat them as we have a lot of skillful players in Bafana Bafana. I am pumped up for this match and I want to score goals,” said Pienaar.
