U.S. roster against Brazil named, fourteen players from 2010 FIFA World Cup squad highlight list

U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named 18 players to the roster that will face five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil on Tuesday, Aug. 10, for the USA’s first match since the 2010 FIFA World Cup. More than 55,000 tickets have already been sold for the first meeting between the two nations at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, Univision and ESPN Deportes Radio.

Fourteen players on the roster were part of the squad that led the U.S. to a first place finish in group play at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 80 years. The team’s dramatic performances garnered record television ratings for the ESPN and Univision Networks and captured the imagination of millions of Americans. 

"This game is a great opportunity to showcase many players from the World Cup team who earned the respect and appreciation of fans across the country," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "At the same time, our goal continues to be to compete and succeed against the best teams in the world. With an extremely talented group of players, Brazil will be another difficult test."

The U.S. team will begin gathering Sunday, Aug. 8, and will have the opportunity for only one training session prior to match.

Landon Donovan, who has now appeared in a U.S. record 12 World Cup matches, scored three times in South Africa, including the memorable goal in second-half stoppage time that elevated the United States to a 1-0 victory against Algeria and earned the team a place in the Round of 16. That epic moment sparked massive celebrations across the United States, and later won the award for ‘Best Moment’ at the 2010 ESPYs. In advance of the Brazil game, U.S. Soccer is asking fans to record and share their favorite memory of the 2010 World Cup.

Tim Howard earned a shutout in that match, the USA’s first in the World Cup since the team\'s historic 2-0 victory against Mexico in the Round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea Republic. The shutout was also just the second for the United States in 22 World Cup matches dating back to 1950.

Michael Bradley netted the game-tying goal in the 82nd minute of the 2-2 draw against Slovenia that salvaged the USA’s hopes for advancing in the tournament. Needing at least a point from the second group game to stave off elimination, his expert toe-poke finished off a fantastic passing sequence combining skill, coordination and hustle that completed the USA’s comeback from two goals down.

Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore has been added to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the match against five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil on Aug. 10 at the New Meadowlands Stadium, replacing Jermaine Jones.

Altidore appeared in all four matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A former New York Red Bull and a native of Livingston, N.J., he has nine goals in 29 career games for the full team.

Jones initially accepted the invite, but after further discussions will remain with FC Schalke to prepare for his first competitive matches in more than a year after recovering from a shin injury.

Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez will be part of the U.S. squad in place of Columbus Crew center back Chad Marshall, who has withdrawn from the roster. Gonzalez, the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, will have the chance to earn his first international cap after having participated in national team training camp in January.

Five players on the roster played every minute in South Africa, including team captain Carlos Bocanegra and defender Steve Cherundolo. Having recently been named captain at Hannover, Cherundolo contributed perhaps his finest collection of performances in his national team career during the tournament.

Alejandro Bedoya and Sacha Kljestan were named to the preliminary roster for the World Cup, Kljestan having recently moved to Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht where he has earned a starting role.

The United States and Brazil last met in the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, where the U.S. jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Clint Dempsey and Donovan before Brazil rallied for a 3-2 victory.

The U.S. played six times in the former Giants Stadium, collecting a 3-1-2 record. After defeating Panama in the final of the 2005 Gold Cup, the U.S. played then No. 1-ranked Argentina to a thrilling 0-0 draw on June 8, 2008, in front of more than 78,000 fans.

U.S. MNT Roster by Position Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Étienne), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal)