Bradley Announces Roster for Slovakia Friendly

Bob Bradley has named a 22 man roster for next Saturday's friendly against Slovakia. Because of the MLS playoffs, the US will be without Landon Donovan, Ricardo Clark, Brian Ching, and Stuart Holden. Other players left off the roster include Edgar Castillo and Jose Francisco Torres, who will be squaring off in league play next weekend. Tim Howard was also left off the roster, but it's pretty safe to say that the #1 goalkeeper spot is already locked up. Howard will get plenty of preparation in the EPL and doesn't need these November friendlies to stay sharp or prove himself.

Here is the team:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, Clarence Goodson, Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce

Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan, Dax McCarty

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson, Conor Casey, Jeff Cunningham


We'll likely get to see Cunningham and Johnson get some minutes, as Bob Bradley searches for someone to fill the void left by Charlie Davies' injury. Robbie Findley, who was unavailable due to Real Salt Lake advancing in the playoffs, might be called in for the Denmark friendly if his team is eliminated next Saturday, giving Bob Bradley another option to examine.

Sacha Kljestan returns to the USMNT after a disastrous Confederations Cup and drop in form at the club level during the summer. He has since regained his form with Chivas USA, earning himself the nod from Bob Bradley.

With Carlos Bocanegra's spot on the roster secure, there will be three other centerbacks trying to work themselves onto Bob Bradley's World Cup roster. Jimmy Conrad, Chad Marshall, and Clarence Goodson will likely all see some time over the course of the two friendlies, as Bob Bradley tries to add depth to a depleted centerback corps.

Here's our prediction for the starting XI:

-----------------Altidore-----Casey----------------

Dempsey------Feilhaber-----Bradley------Kljestan

Bornstein-----Bocanegra---Marshall----Cherundolo

----------------------Guzan------------------------


The game will be on Fox Soccer Channel at 10 AM ET this Saturday.