With the U.S. National Team opening its World Cup training camp Wednesday at Stanford, coach Jurgen Klinsmann revealed his 30-man preliminary roster Monday. There were the usual suspects — Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and the New Jersey trio of Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore — but also some snubs.
The biggest omission was Eddie Johnson, a 2006 World Cup veteran who had five goals last year — including the winner in their victory over rival Mexico that clinched their tickets to Brazil. Theirs, but not his. The struggling striker is scoreless this season with D.C. United, and was openly critical of his MLS teammates.
“Eddie’s comments had nothing to do with the decision,’’ Klinsmann said. “It has to do a little bit with the fact that we only take six forwards into this 30-man roster, and in those forwards I see Landon Donovan competing for one of those spots.’’
Klinsmann said the final roster will be named after the June 1 friendly against Turkey at Red Bull Arena. The final 23-man World Cup roster must be submitted to FIFA by June 2.
Klinsmann did call in Bayern Munich teenager Julian Green, and Nurnberg’s Timmy Chandler for the first time since February 2013.
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“He’s a player that can make a difference if he’s on his highest level. He has experience playing against very good players from throughout Europe, and that’s why he earned his way back into the group,’’ Klinsmann said of Chandler.
Klinsmann also said he wasn’t concerned about L.A. Galaxy centerback Omar Gonzalez’s knee injury.
“By the end of the week, he should be at 100 percent,’’ Klinsmann said.
The U.S. will play friendlies against Azerbaijan May 27 in San Francisco, Turkey June 1 and Nigeria on June 7 in Jacksonville.
In World Cup Group play, they U.S. faces Ghana on June 16, Portugal on June 22 and Germany on June 26.