USMNT Roster Named; Sean Johnson Again Makes Squad

The new USMNT roster has just been announced only minutes ago. Sean Johnson has again been called up, which is great news for Fire and USMNT fans. He has earned his spot on the team with his hard works and goal play, and Jurgen is rewarding him for it. This squad will be facing Jamaica, not once, but twice back to back for World Cup Qualifying. The first match takes place on Friday, September 7th at 7 PM CST. You can see the action live on beIN Sport, the new soccer channel. The action takes place at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

Four days later, on September 11th, the two tams again do battle at Crew stadium in Columbus. Action again kicks off at 7 PM CST, and you can watch the game on ESPN2, ESPN3, and Univision. The Jamaican team is certainly a step up from a team like Antigua & Barbuda The Americans will need to be on their games to get those all important 3 points to continue the march towards Brazil in 2014.

The full roster is after the break. Well done yet again Sean Johnson! It's certainly nice to see him at the top of the pecking order for up-and-coming young US goalkeepers.

GOALKEEPERS (4) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (9) : Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (8) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4 ): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos)

This roster is a bit closer to our full "A" team than the past few friendlies have been. There is still a good mix of youth sprinkled in with some MLS representation. Young Josh Gatt, the exciting winger form Molde FK, is someone I haven't really gotten to see play yet but have heard lots of good things about. I am intrigued to see what he can do. I also enjoy watching Terrence Boyd every time he takes the pitch so he shouldn't disappoint either.

Our forward corps should have a bit more firepower with Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey returning to the lineup. Dempsey should see time as he is trying to get into match fitness after his saga with Fulham finally ended in his transfer to Tottenham. I don't agree with how Dempsey handled the situation (which was very, very poor). I think he definitely damaged his reputation by what he did, and deservedly so. Hopefully he learns a lesson or two for the future.

It's time for the USMNT to take their game up another notch as 2014 inches nearer. Coming off a historic win vs. Mexcio, I expect the Americans to take care of business in both games vs. Jamaica.