Following last night’s two zero win for the USMNT over Jamaica, the squad announced several roster changes this afternoon ahead of the team traveling to Panama for Tuesdays match.
Landon Donovan and Jermaine Jones have been released due to injury concerns. Matt Besler and Tim Howard have also left the team as part of a planned rotation of players.
Donovan yesterday was very adamant last night to reporters that his ankle was fine and that he expected to travel with the team to Panama. But Jurgen Klinsmann has other plans and is looking to preserve his team from injury that could affect the squad in Brazil.
“Landon is still struggling with the ankle injury from a couple weeks ago, so he will go back to Los Angeles and try to get back to 100 percent,” said Klinsmann in a US Soccer press release.
“Jermaine’s case is more of a concern. His knee was bothering him all night but he battled through. It’s clear that the issue with his knee is something that should be taken care of right away so he can be 100 percent for Schalke and the National Team as soon as possible.”
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson is getting the call up for Howard departing and will be the backup in Panama.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3):Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Orozco (Puebla)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)