Jurgen Klinsmann will be testing the strength and spirit of USA when he leads his men against Scotland in the first of a series of important games.
The former Germany coach named his final 23-man squad ahead of his three friendlies against Scotland, Brazil and USA, and also his two World Cup qualifying matches against Antigua & Bermuda and Guatemala.
Klinsmann initially called up 27 players at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando; but having now made his selection, the entire team is now heading to Jacksonville prior to their Scotland encounter on May 26 at EverBank Field.
For the USA manager, who won his last four international games, the Stars and Stripes can accept nothing other than good results in the Five-Game Tournament, which is supposed to mimic the pressure and consequences of a true tournament.
On May 15, USSoccer.com quoted Klinsmann saying: “We’re treating this period of time like it would be a small tournament because this camp is a lot about how the players build chemistry and deal with a longer period of time being together.”
Indeed, considering the significance of their 5-game test, which ends on June 12 in Guatemala City, there can be no margin for error. Klinsmann recently declared: “We have said from the beginning that these [five international] games are all about results, and we have chosen the 23 players who are in the best form right now and ready to get the job done.”
Brad Guzan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are the only Premier League players who were called up to the Team USA 23-man squad. Nick Rimando, Geoff Cameron, Kyle Beckerman, Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski are additionally expected to use their MLS experience to add stability to Klinsmann’s side during their period of friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.
Klinsmann initially called up 27 players at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando; but having now made his selection, the entire team is now heading to Jacksonville prior to their Scotland encounter on May 26 at EverBank Field.
For the USA manager, who won his last four international games, the Stars and Stripes can accept nothing other than good results in the Five-Game Tournament, which is supposed to mimic the pressure and consequences of a true tournament.
On May 15, USSoccer.com quoted Klinsmann saying: “We’re treating this period of time like it would be a small tournament because this camp is a lot about how the players build chemistry and deal with a longer period of time being together.”
Indeed, considering the significance of their 5-game test, which ends on June 12 in Guatemala City, there can be no margin for error. Klinsmann recently declared: “We have said from the beginning that these [five international] games are all about results, and we have chosen the 23 players who are in the best form right now and ready to get the job done.”
Brad Guzan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are the only Premier League players who were called up to the Team USA 23-man squad. Nick Rimando, Geoff Cameron, Kyle Beckerman, Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski are additionally expected to use their MLS experience to add stability to Klinsmann’s side during their period of friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.
