Mon Sep 3 22:53:37 2007

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Bradley names U.S. roster for Brazil friendly

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - U.S. Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley named the 19-man roster that will face FIFA's No. 1 ranked Brazil on Sept. 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago for a friendly.

"The schedule this year has included some great challenges, and playing against Brazil is another outstanding opportunity for this group," Bradley said. "We have a good mix of players in camp, and are excited about the chance to play against one of the best teams in the world. Its great to be back in Chicago for a match of this caliber. It should be an exciting afternoon."

The last time Bradley and the U.S. team played at the venue, it beat Mexico in the 2007 Gold Cup Final. The U.S. roster includes 13 players from that squad, including Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who led the U.S. with four goals in the tournament. The 25-year-old has currently amassed nine goals in 11 international matches this year and is one goal away from becoming the USAs all-time leader in scoring.

Fourteen of the 19 players on the roster ply their trade in five different countries in Europe while the English Premier League's Fulham FC sends the duo of Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who minded the nets in the Gold Cup final, has already posted ten shutouts in 23 career games for the U.S. Glasgow Rangers midfielder DaMarcus Beasley has three goals and three assists in 2007 and was the USAs second leading scorer in the Gold Cup.

Striker Josh Wolff of Germany's 1860 Munich makes his first trip with the U.S. since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, joining Beasley and Bocanegra as alumni who played professionally for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. The trio was part of the team, coached by Bradley, that captured the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Two other players on the roster hold ties to the Chicago area. West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector hails from Arlington Heights, Ill., while Watford defender Jay DeMerit played his college ball for the Flames at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

After the Brazil clash, the U.S. takes advantage of a double FIFA date in October, first facing Catalonia on the 14th at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain, before traveling to face Switzerland on the 17th in Basel.

The following is the U.S. roster by position:

Goalkeepers (2): Tim Howard (Everton FC), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United).

Midfielders (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids).

Forwards (4): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich).