SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes stars Clarence Goodson and Chris Wondolowski were called to United States Men’s National Team camp by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Thursday. The duo will be with the Americans for World Cup Qualifiers against Jamaica on Friday, Oct. 11 and Panama on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The United States has already qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but has two remaining games in group play. Their first test comes against the Reggae Boyz at Sporting Park on Friday (3:30 p.m. PT / ESPN, UniMas). The squad then travels to Panama City for a match at Rommel Fernandez Stadium (6 p.m. PT / beIN Sport).
Currently ranked 13th in the world, the United States holds a one point lead over Costa Rica at the top of the group and has the chance to finish in first place in CONCACAF qualifying for the third consecutive cycle.
Goodson, 31, has 43 caps with the U.S. His most recent appearance came in a 2-0 win against Mexico at Crew Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 10, 2013. Goodson played 90 minutes at center back, helping the Americans secure their passage to Brazil. Since signing with the Earthquakes in June, Goodson has started eight games; four of those eight games were shutouts, including San Jose’s 1-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Wondolowski, 30, has 15 caps with the U.S. and six goals, each of which came during a month-long stretch in July. He took home the CONCACAF Gold Cup’s Golden Boot after tying Landon Donovan and Panama’s Gabriel Torres for the tournament lead in goals with five. The potent striker leads San Jose with 10 markers, seven of which have been game-winners. His goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Colorado made him the 11th player in MLS history to reach double-digits in four consecutive seasons.
Both Goodson and Wondolowski will return to San Jose in time for the club’s match against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the StubHub Center (6 p.m. PT / ESPN).
