Jurgen Klinsmann called in 10 MLS players as part of his 26-man roster ahead of the opening two World Cup qualifying matches in the CONCACAF Hexagonal against Mexico (Nov. 11) and Costa Rica (Nov. 15).
Colorado Rapids stars Tim Howard and Jermaine Jones, who helped their team advance to the Western Conference Championship on Sunday, were among the call-ups. Toronto FC's Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley (team-high 124 caps) along with Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris are the other players who are also involved in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.
As part of the roster unveil on FOX Soccer's Facebook page, Klinsmann announced that Howard will be the starting goalkeeper for both qualifiers.
The USA host eternal rivals Mexico at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus on Friday night (7:45 pm ET on FS1 and Univision), when they hope to continue their "Dos-a-Cero" streak of 2-0 victories. Mexico's squad will include LA Galaxy star Giovani dos Santos, who was recalled to El Tri after a tremendous 2016 campaign, during which he scored 14 goals and posted 12 assists.
Four days after the Mexico clash, the USMNT will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica, to take on the Ticos.
The camp marks the first senior call-up for 18-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and it also represents the first call-up for Werder Bremen forward Aron Johannsson since he came off the bench for the USA in a defeat to Brazil on Sept. 8, 2015.
USA 26-MAN ROSTER (vs. Mexico, Costa Rica)
Goalkeepers (4): Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough/ENG), Ethan Horvath (Molde/NOR), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), William Yarbrough (Club Leon/MEX)
Defenders (9):Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/MEX), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG)
Midfielders (9): Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG), Julian Green (Bayern Munich/GER), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Caleb Stanko (FC Vaduz/LIE), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen/GER), Alan Gordon* (LA Galaxy), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER)
* NOTE: Gordon replaced the injured Jordan Morris, who was originally called in.