7 USMNT Players to Trim from World Cup Squad to Get It Down to 23

Jerrad PetersMay 12, 2014

United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann named a 30-man provisional squad on Monday, but will have to refine his roster to 23 names ahead of the 2014 World Cup—which kicks off next month in Brazil.

That means trimming seven players from his current group by FIFA’s June 2 deadline.

As he has brought just three goalkeepers into the fold, Klinsmann would seem to be comfortable with each of Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), which means all seven cuts will be made among the defenders, midfielders and forwards.

Over the next few slides, we’ll suggest the players the former Germany international should leave behind. We’ll name names, and we’ll conclude with what we think the final 23-man squad will look like when it’s submitted.

John Brooks, Hertha Berlin

1 of 8

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

Just 21, John Brooks will have plenty of opportunities to go to a World Cup.

But this isn’t one of them.

The Hertha Berlin defender didn’t feature for the United States in qualifying and has just three caps to his name, the most recent of which came in March against Ukraine.

Brooks’ time will come, and being omitted from the 2014 squad would be no insult.

Timothy Chandler, Nurnberg

2 of 8

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Timothy Chandler’s FC Nurnberg side was officially relegated from the Bundesliga over the weekend, and the 24-year-old should brace himself for more bad news.

A capable right-back who can play further up the flank as a right-sided midfielder or winger, Chandler hasn’t featured for the United States in 15 months. His refusals to join up with numerous Klinsmann squads has him categorized as an outsider within the setup.

He is very much surplus to requirements.

DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders

3 of 8

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Like Brooks, DeAndre Yedlin wasn’t a part of 2014 World Cup qualifying, but like his international teammate he’s certainly one for the future.

Another right-back who can play in a more advanced role when necessary, the 20-year-old has played just a single, full season of professional football but is considered an up-and-comer in Major League Soccer, where he represents Seattle Sounders.

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports

Bleacher Report1w

Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports

Bleacher Report1w

Joe Corona, Tijuana

4 of 8

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Joe Corona was a teammate of DeAndre Yedlin’s with the USA U-23s back in 2012, and like the Seattle defender he’s part of a promising group that will no doubt be included in his country’s World Cup squad in four years’ time.

A right-sided midfielder who can drift dangerously into the middle, the soon-to-be 24-year-old has scored twice in 11 appearances for the United States, and he played his last international match in September 2013 against Mexico.

Corona was eligible to play for Mexico and El Salvador but opted for the United States.

Brad Davis, Houston Dynamo

5 of 8

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

In 2005 Brad Davis Scored the winning penalty for the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Panama.

That moment is nothing to scoff at and will likely be his proudest one at the international level.

At 32, and with Klinsmann’s side chock full of wide players, there simply isn’t justification for taking Davis to Brazil.

Maurice Edu, Philadelphia Union

6 of 8

J. Meric/Getty Images

It’s hard to believe, but Maurice Edu is closing in on 50 caps for the United States.

But the landmark won’t come at the 2014 World Cup—at least it shouldn’t.

The Philadelphia Union midfielder, who spent four seasons at Rangers, operates in a holding role and is behind the likes of Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman and Jermaine Jones in the position.

Terrence Boyd, Rapid Vienna

7 of 8

Christian Hofer/Getty Images

Terrence Boyd played with Brooks and Yedlin at the 2012 Olympic Games and bagged a brace against El Salvador.

He only turned 23 years old in February and will almost certainly be back in the conversation for the 2018 World Cup.

At this point, he simply doesn’t offer what Klinsmannn is more confident of getting from more veteran forwards such as Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski.

Boyd made his senior USA bow back in May 2012 against Scotland—a game the United States won 5-1.