U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley has named a 17-man initial roster that will travel to face 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa on Nov. 17 in Johannesburg in the 2007 Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup. The complete roster will be finalized following this weekend's MLS Western Conference Championship.
Six Major League Soccer players were among Bradley's 17 call-ups, including New York Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore, who will be seeking his first-ever cap with the full team. MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Brad Guzan was also summoned to the national team, as was MLS Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu, who will be seeking his second cap.
Also making the trip to South Africa will be Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who leads the roster with 96 career caps. Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Sacha Kljestan will also join teammate Guzan in the squad.
In the only prior meeting between the two sides, the U.S. beat South Africa, 4-0, on June 3, 2000 in Washington, D.C. Recently retired Galaxy forward Cobi Jones tallied twice that day, with Earnie Stewart and Claudio Reyna rounding out the scoring as Kasey Keller earned the shutout.
The Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup, an annual one-off event typically hosted in South Africa, began in 1994 and has seen South Africa face opponents like Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Nigeria and a host of others.
U.S. national team roster vs. South Africa (Nov. 17)
Goalkeepers (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
Defenders (5): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege)
Midfielders (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)
Forwards (3): Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy
