U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, who has been suffering with a thigh injury, was
missing from Bruce Arena's 23-man squad named Friday for this month's World Cup
qualifiers against El Salvador and Panama.
"The injury that Claudio suffered in training with (English Premier League
club) Manchester City is not coming along as we would have hoped," said a
disappointed Arena. "So, we'll be without his services for a little while."
The U.S. go into the October 9 clash in San Salvador and the match with
Panama in Washington DC four days later a point clear of Jamaica and Panama at
the top of Group One after three games. The top two go through to a six-nation
CONCACAF final next year.
"These next two matches will go a long way in determining our chances of
advancing to the next round," said Arena, whose team is enjoying a record
10-match unbeaten run.
"We're looking forward to a good week of preparation, and will approach these
games with the goal of getting six points and advancing to the final round," he
added.
Eight of the players called up are under 25, including Landon Donovan and
recent exports to European football DaMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey. Donovan
is expected to fill the midfield role left vacant by the injured Reyna.
Midfielder Cobi Jones, whose goal earned a 1-1 draw against Panama last
month, will add to his record 163 caps while striker Brian McBride, having
struck six times in matches against El Salvador, will look to add to his 25
international goals.
McBride is their second highest scorer of all-time.
Arena has kept faith with goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who is in the squad
despite not playing a single Premier League game for his English club Tottenham
Hotspur so far this season.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Tottenham
Hotspur), Jonny Walker (MetroStars)
Defenders: Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham),
Bobby Convey (Reading), Cory Gibbs (Dallas Burn), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus
Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Eddie Pope (MetroStars), Tony Sanneh
(Columbus Crew)
Midfielders DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Landon Donovan, (San Jose
Earthquakes), Eddie Gaven (MetroStars), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie
Lewis (Preston North End), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Clint Mathis
(Hannover 96), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
Forwards: Conor Casey (FSV Mainz), Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn), Brian McBride
(Fulham), Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards).
