Defender Timmy Chandler is among 24 players selected for the United States’ World Cup qualifier at Honduras on Wednesday and is set to make his competitive debut for the Americans.
Chandler is eligible to play for the U.S. and Germany. He has made nine appearances for the Americans but all in exhibition games. He was not included in the CONCACAF Gold Cup roster by then-coach Bob Bradley, who said he wanted to give Chandler time off following his first season as a regular in the Bundesliga.
Chandler turned down U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s invitation for the U.S. training camp last May ahead of the opening qualifiers of the semifinal round, then returned for the Nov. 14 exhibition at Russia and said he was fully committed to the U.S. team.
He is likely to start at right back in place of Steve Cherundolo, who is sidelined by a knee injury.
Defenders Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler and Brad Evans are among seven players selected Monday from Major League Soccer who appeared in last week’s 0-0 exhibition draw against Canada.
Forwards Juan Agudelo and Terrence Boyd, and midfielder Kyle Beckerman were not picked.
“We want to have a sense of urgency right from the start of the final round,” said coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “We have a lot of respect for Honduras, but our message to the team is that we are going there to get three points. One thing we learned from the semifinal round is that you have to bring the right mentality to play in the tough games on the road, and I’m confident we are ready to do that.”
Klinsmann did not consider Landon Donovan, who said after last year’s MLS Cup final that he was uncertain he wanted to keep playing. Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said last month he expects Donovan to play at some point this year.
The United States has a 12-3-3 record against Honduras in a series that dates back to 1965. Honduras advanced to the 2010 FIFA World Cup after only losing once at home in nine qualifiers throughout the qualifying cycle. That lone loss came against the United States.
The six-team hexagonal qualifier includes the United States, Honduras, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama.
The 10-game, round-robin format will be played from Feb. 6-Oct.10. The top three teams will automatically advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-place team will compete in a two-leg playoff against the champion from the Oceania Confederation, either New Zealand or New Caledonia.
The roster:
Goalkeepeers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton) Sean Johnson (Chicago)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Kansas City), Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke), Edgar Castillo (Tijuana), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Brad Evans (Seattle), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Roma), Brad Davis (Houston), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jose Torres (Tigres), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna), Eddie Johnson (Seattle)
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