USA Men's Soccer: Ranking the Top Young Additions to the USA Roster

Over Bob Bradley's five-year tenure with the USA Men's National Team, he made great strides in advancing the product to a higher standard.

The one flaw in helping a struggling team is you cannot take risks. 

The powers that be, believed Bradley had taken the USA team as far as he could. 

Enter Jurgen Klinsmann.

Klinsmann has shown Americans that he will take those risks. On the 2011 roster, nine of the 24 total players have three or less career appearances with the men's national team.

Ahead are the top five young additions to the U.S. roster. 

5. Jeff Larentowicz, M

Starting at No. 5 is the midfielder originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Jeff Larentowicz only has one career appearance for the men's national tea.  After overcoming a knee injury that forced him to drop out of the 2010 squad, has returned for his second stint with the Americans.

Larentowicz is coming off a 2010 MLS season in which he started a career-high 30 games for the Colorado Rapids, scoring four goals, which ties his career high for goals in a season.

Only at age 28, the fiery red head will attempt to make an immediate impact on the new youth-oriented national team.

4. Timothy Chandler, D

Timothy Chandler is a young defender who shares dual citizenship in Germany and the United States.

Chandler has made two career appearances for the men's national team, including the entire second half against Argentina in a 1-1 tie March 26.

The 21-year old currently plays for FC Nurnberg in Germany and will compete with veteran Steve Cherundolo for a starting position, most likely at right back. 

3. Fabian Johnson, M

Fabian Johnson (pictured as No. 16) was the surprise addition by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to the 24-man roster.

Johnson is another dual citizen, having citizenship in Germany and the U.S. He once played for the 2006 and 2007 U-21 German national team and was a member of the 2009 U-21 European Championship team.

The recent acquisition by the American national team gives the U.S. a young defender/midfielder, only 23, who has experience playing on the national level.

After starting all three games of the 2011 season for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from VFL Wolfsburg, Johnson could step in immediately at the left back position for the Americans, a spot they have consistently struggled with. 

2. Bill Hamid, GK

Bill Hamid is a player that will join the U.S. National Team with zero caps.

Hamid only played one season with D.C. United and became the youngest goalkeeper to win a match in MLS history last season. 

Hamid spent time with the U-18 and U-20 American teams before being called up for the Mexico match August 10, 2011. 

The 20-year old prodigy will gain valuable experience behind stand-out keeper Tim Howard, as he waits in the wings to start for the Americans.

1. Brek Shea, M

Coming in at No. 1 is the athletic midfielder from FC Dallas, Brek Shea.

Shea will provide a versatile style, combined with his lanky frame, that should mesh beautifully with Landon Donovan's reckless style.

The 21-year old is coming off a career year with FC Dallas and is the most established on this list, notching three caps for the men's national squad.

After Shea's impressive 30 minutes against Mexico, the American faithful should be excited to see what he can produce in his follow-up performance.

Conclusion

The USA Men's National Team will face off against Costa Rica in a friendly match September 2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

This will be the first match since they played to a 1-1 draw against Mexico August 10.

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