Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - U.S. coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 22 players that will train in advance of Saturday's game against fellow 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Slovakia.
Bradley will consider making changes to the squad following Saturday's match, when the team will make their first-ever visit to Denmark for the USA's 24th and final match of the year.
The 24 matches represent the third most games ever in a calendar for the U.S. The team set a record for the most games in official competitions in a year with 21 total, including the 10 final round matches the U.S. played to earn first place in CONCACAF qualifying for the World Cup and the five games that culminated in the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
"These matches present a terrific opportunity to continue building on the nucleus of our team, and at the same time evaluate more of the player pool against very good opponents," Bradley said. "We are very pleased with what we have accomplished in a long and challenging year, and we move forward with the goal of getting ourselves ready to be a competitive team in the World Cup."
Many of the USA's standout performers from 2009 will be in Slovakia, including team captain Carlos Bocanegra and midfielder Clint Dempsey. The Fulham-based attacker earned the Bronze Ball at the Confederations Cup, and has tallied three goals in as many games for his club.
While 16 different clubs are represented on the roster, FC Dallas contributes the most with three players coming to Slovakia. In addition to Heath Pearce, MLS Golden Boot winner and MVP finalist Jeff Cunningham returns to the fold for the first time since 2005, while Dax McCarty earns his first call up to the full team. Additionally, both Marcus Hahnemann and Eddie Johnson will have a chance at their first appearance this year.
This is the first international meeting between the U.S. and Slovakia. The United States faced the former Czechoslovakia in its opening group match of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, falling 5-1. Slovakia has reached the World Cup for the first time since beginning competitive international football as an independent nation in 1993.
Following is the complete roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Troy Perkins (Valerenga).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham).
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Monchengladbach), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Eddie Johnson (Fulham).