SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Alan Gordon was among 24 players selected for U.S. Men’s National Team duty by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday ahead of 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against Antigua & Barbuda and Guatemala.
The U.S. first faces the Benna Boyz on Oct. 12 in North Sound, Antigua. Kickoff for the USA’s first visit to the island is set for 4 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORT. Four days later, the U.S. will close out the Semifinal Round in front of sold-out LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. That match will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. on ESPN2, WatchESPN and the Univision family. Fans can follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and via Twitter @ussoccer.
Gordon has been a key piece for a resurgent Earthquakes squad in 2012, notching career-bests with 13 goals and eight assists in 23 games played. He was previously called to camp on Aug. 12 ahead of a USMNT friendly with Mexico at Estadio Azteca and will be looking for his first cap when the Americans take the field against Antigua & Barbuda on Oct. 12.
“The mentality we are bringing into these two games is to get six points," said Klinsmann. "It's important that the players arriving into Miami prepare themselves for two 'finals.' We must have an urgency within the group and a clear understanding that we need to deliver, which means each player has to bring a 100 percent effort. Our all focus and energy for the next few days will be on getting the right preparation for the team so we can win the next two games."
The U.S. is currently even with Guatemala at the top of Group A with seven points and matching totals in both goal differential and goals scored. Jamaica also has seven points but sits in third place due to a lower goal differential. With the three nations tied on points and jockeying for the top two spots, no team will be able to secure a place in the Final Round until the last group matches are played on Oct. 16.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)
