USMNT 2 Azerbaijan 0

One down, two to go in the USA's preparation for the World Cup, as the USMNT beat Azerbaijan by the score of 2-0. Boy, this was an ugly game. It honestly looked like a team that had done a bunch of fitness training and little soccer playing, as for most of the game the USA looked like a discombobulated mess. The subs completely changed the game, as Brad Davis' left foot on set pieces helped two more subs, Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson, score to win the game. On the whole however, Team USA needs to play MUCH better to have any chance in the Group of Death in June. Also, with Clint Dempsey a late scratch with a sore groin, we await word breathlessly hoping his injury is not severe. The USMNT next play Turkey on Sunday, June 1st on ESPN2 with a 2 pm kickoff, EST. 

USA vs. Azerbaijan

It's a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield again for the USA, with no huge surprises besides Johnson at RB instead of LB. Instead Beasley gets the call there again. And with Donovan left off the roster, it's Bedoya at leff-Mid.  Should be a fun game, let's go USA! As for subs, I'm guessing Johannsson and Diskerud are guaranteed to see game action, and I hope to see Brooks and Green as well. Kickoff in an hour on ESPN2. 

The 23 going to Brazil!

B

First things first: Landon Donovan didn't make it. Easily the largest surprise. The others to be cut: Michael Parkhurst, Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, and Terrence Boyd. Besides Donovan, Goodson is a surprise. A lot of people, myself included, thought Brooks was out and Goodson would be in, but apparently not.  The most surprising inclusion? 20 year-old right back DeAndre Yedlin. Does Klinsmann believe Yedlin can produce now? Or is he here for the experience with the expectation that he'll be starting 4 years from now? I'm betting on the latter, but you never know with Jurgen.  

By position: 

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando. 

Defense: DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, John Anthony Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Fabian Johnson, DeAndre Yedlin

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Alejandro Bedoya, Brad Davis, Mix Diskerud, Julian Green, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Chris Wondolowski

30-Man Roster Impressions

www.ussoccer.com

The Preliminary Roster for the 2014 Fifa World Cup was announced today for the USMNT, getting us that much closer to the tournament. There were a few surprises as well, the biggest being Eddie Johnson's exclusion. His poor form for DC United and his mishap a few weeks ago where he criticized his new teammates appear to have done him in. Tim Ream, player of the year at Bolton, was also somewhat surprisingly left off the roster. Their presumed roster spots are instead taken by Joe Corona and, most shockingly of all, Timmy Chandler, who hadn't played for the USMNT since the first hexagonal match against Honduras. Lastly, Landon Donovan is officially listed at forward. With Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore the presumed starters at forward, it does indeed appear that the greatest player in USMNT history will take part in this years World Cup as a substitute. Full Roster below, courtesy of www.ussoccer.com. There is no timetable for when the final 23-man roster will be announced, but it is due by June 2nd to FIFA. 

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (11) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (10) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (6) : Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)