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Five MLS Players Called Up to USMNT For Friendly Against New Zealand

By Jerry Stephens

Jun 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann reacts against Paraguay during the second half of the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario. at Lincoln Financial Field. The United States won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann reacts against Paraguay during the second half of the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario. at Lincoln Financial Field. The United States won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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USMNT manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, has added five MLS players to the roster for their friendly match against New Zealand and sent home two other MLSers.

Jurgen Klinsmann has made some changes to the United States Men’s National Team roster ahead of their friendly against New Zealand. After the team’s 2-0 win over Cuba on October 7th, they will return stateside to take on New Zealand in a tune up for their World Cup Qualifiers later this year. The USMNT manager called up five MLS players while dropping two others.

This is common practice and was expected from Klinsmann. He sent home the bigger names so that they could return to their clubs. Many of the European players like John Brooks, Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood, Ethan Horvath, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler and Geoff Cameron all returned to their domestic teams.

Kellyn Acosta of FC Dallas, Juan Agudelo of the New England Revolution, Matt Besler of Sporting KC, Bill Hamid of D.C. United, and Tim Parker of the Vancouver Whitecaps all got the call up from Jurgen. These players will get the chance to prove themselves on the international stage. Chris Wondolowski and Jordan Morris were the two MLS players dropped.

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Both Wondo and Morris have games coming up on their club’s schedule during the international break. Both the San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders will have matches in the coming days in Major League Soccer competition. Klinsmann likely sent them home so that they could help their clubs in those important matches ahead of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Outside of Major League Soccer, both Michael Orozco and Terrance Boyd were both called up along with the five MLSers. After Ethan Horvath’s impressive performance and clean sheet against Cuba, he may now be the leading goalkeeper behind Tim Howard and Brad Guzan. Bill Hamid will likely get his chance between the sticks as he looks to impress Jurgen.

Wondolowski proved important in the USA’s recent victory as he recorded one goal and one assist. Young prospects in Acosta (21), Agudelo (23), and Parker (23) will get their opportunity with the national team alongside veteran Matt Besler (29).

The match against New Zealand will take place on October 11th in Washington D.C. at RFK Stadium. I would expect to see a number of MLS players feature in the Starting XI and as subs in the game for the USMNT.

Klinsmann will be giving young players a chance in this friendly as he wants to give them one last look before World Cup Qualifiers. While the U.S. are the favorites in this match, there is more to the game than just winning. These friendlies allow guys who don’t regularly get a chance on the national level during competitive competitions to get their chance to prove themselves.

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