SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski and defender Steven Beitashour were among 22 players named to the US Men’s National Team roster by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Sunday. The duo will suit up for the United States in a friendly against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Wednesday, Aug. 15 (5 p.m. PT / ESPN2, Univision).
Beitashour is slated to make his first appearance for the United States while Wondolowski has eight caps since his initial call up in January of 2011. They will both still be available for selection in the club’s match against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Saputo Stadium.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring this group together and challenge Mexico for a win,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “For every game, we always look at who is in the best form, who is fit and who is ready to go. We have a lot of veteran players and also some new, hungry guys who deserve a chance. Every player in the pool looks forward to an amazing opportunity like this, the chance to take on Mexico in such an historic stadium like Estadio Azteca. With the World Cup qualifiers coming up next month, we can start preparing these players mentally and physically for Jamaica.”
Wondolowski leads MLS with 17 goals. The Danville native also paces MLS in game-winning goals with eight and has notched five assists. His torrent scoring pace helped him become the fastest player to reach 10 goals in league history, achieving that mark in San Jose’s ninth game of the season. For his efforts, Wondolowski received MLS Player of the Month awards in April and June. He also played in the AT&T All-Star Game, scoring a goal in a 3-2 MLS win against European champion Chelsea FC on July 25 at PPL Park.
Beitashour has been a key piece for an Earthquakes defense that has helped the squad to its best 24-game start in club history at 14-5-5. A second-round selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of San Diego State, the third-year right back has become one of the premier crossers in MLS. He is tied for No. 5 among all players in the league with six assists and tops the charts for defenders. Beitashour has also been on the field for each of San Jose’s five shutouts in 2012.
The Earthquakes will return to action on Saturday, Aug. 18 against the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium. The match kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Plus, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
U.S. TRAVEL ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6):Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
