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Seven MLS players to represent USA in WC qualifiers

Thu 28th, August 2008

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 20 players that will train in advance of the pair of FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Cuba on Sept. 6 in Havana and Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 10 in Bridgeview, Ill.

Of the 20 players Bradley has named for the upcoming fixtures, 16 were part of the squad that claimed a 1-0 victory against Guatemala at the Estadio Mateo Flores on Aug. 20 in Guatemala City. The win, the United States' first World Cup qualifying victory in Guatemala, gave Bradley's side an important three points to open the semifinal round.

"These next two games are very important to help us position ourselves to advance to the final stage," Bradley said. "With the win against Guatemala, we have put ourselves in a good situation at the start of the semifinal round. I was very pleased with the way our team stuck together in a difficult environment. We need to have that same type of effort in the matches against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago."

Seven MLS players - defenders Frankie Hejduk and Marvell Wynne, midfielders Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan and Eddie Lewis, and forwards Brian Ching and Landon Donovan - have been named to the roster.

One curious absence is FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper, who is second in Major League Soccer with 13 goals.

The team will begin gathering in Miami on Aug. 31 and assemble throughout the week before departing on Sept. 4 for Cuba. From Havana, the team will travel to Chicago on Sept. 7, where preparations will continue ahead of the Sept. 10 game against Trinidad and Tobago.

Below is the U.S. men's national team roster by position:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC).

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).

MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy).

FORWARDS: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff City).