Injuries have forced Steve Cherundolo, Stuart Holden and Zak Whitbread to withdraw from the U.S. Men’s National Team training camp that begins today in Cary, N.C. U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has added defender Eric Lichaj to the roster, bringing the number of players to 22 total that will prepare for the Argentina and Paraguay friendlies.
Both Cherundolo (groin) and Whitbread (back) have been nursing injuries and will use the international break to recuperate. Holden received a gash near his left knee that required 26 stitches after a horrific challenge by Jonny Evans in Bolton’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United yesterday. An X-ray revealed no broken bones, and Holden will be evaluated further today.
The U.S. is training in Cary, N.C., for four days before traveling to East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday, March 24 to prepare for their match against two-time FIFA World Cup Champion Argentina on Saturday, March 26 at New Meadowlands Stadium. Kickoff against the No. 4-ranked Argentines is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision.
When the U.S. plays Argentina, the team will be wearing a new national team kit inspired by the supporters who have grown in numbers throughout the last three decades. U.S. Soccer and Nike launched a campaign providing fans with the opportunity to write a new motto for the U.S. Men’s National Team that will be featured on the team’s new uniform.
Fans can submit their motto on Twitter from now until March 23 using #redallover. The most inspirational motto will debut on the team’s jersey against Argentina.
Three days later, the U.S. will face 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinalists Paraguay at LP Field in Nashville, with Fox Soccer Channel and Telefutura broadcasting that game live at 7 p.m. CT. Fans can follow both matches at ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer.
More than 55,000 tickets have been sold for the match against Argentina, and more than 16,000 have been sold for the Paraguay match. Ticket information is available at ussoccer.com.
U.S. Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Eric Lichaj (Leeds), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)