Guzan selected for USMNT roster in World Cup Qualifying

In a move that is sure to surprise no one, United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann has selected Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan as part of his 20-man squad for the final round of World Cup qualifying coming up this week. With the USMNT having already secured their trip to Brazil, it actually wouldn't be surprising to see Guzan get a chance to play in at least one of the two matches the Americans have. On Friday the team will face the all-but-eliminated Jamaica in Kansas City, and then they will travel to take on Panama on Tuesday. The Panamanians are currently in fourth in the CONCACF qualifying group, ahead of Mexico thanks to goals scored. They will be trying to assure themselves of at least a playoff against New Zealand for one of the final spots to Brazil, but they could be playing for CONCACAF's final automatic qualification spot.

Guzan is the second-choice keeper for the United States, behind Everton's Tim Howard. Howard has performed well in the finals stages of qualifying, only allowing six goals in six matches. But Brad Guzan hasn't performed too poorly either, having started against Costa Rica in the US and Mexico at Estadio Azteca, and keeping a clean sheet each time. He's certainly done well enough to merit more time in goal, and it'd be great to see him get it.

Also of note for the US roster will be the absence of Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley. Both will be resting injuries that they've already gotten which sounds like a wonderful idea, doesn't it Belgium?

USMNT Full Roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)