San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski and defender Clarence Goodson have a shot to play their way onto the U.S. World Cup roster. (Godofredo Vasquez/SFBay)
There might soon be an Earthquake in Brazil. Maybe even two.
San Jose Earthquakes’ striker Chris Wondolowski and defender Clarence Goodson will join 28 of their fellow countrymen at the United States 2014 World Cup camp, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced Monday.
23 players will be chosen from the pool of 30 by June 2, making up the final squad that will travel to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.
The call up is good if not unexpected news for the Earthquake standouts. Neither Goodson nor Wondo are considered locks to make the final 23, but the same could be said for the majority of the roster.
Klinsmann said Monday difficult decisions were made to arrive at the 30-man pool:
“There is competition in every position, and these next couple of weeks will allow us to make the final determinations on the best 23-man unit to represent the United States in the World Cup.”
Goodson and Wondo will have an opportunity to earn a spot in the next few weeks. The United States opens camp on Wednesday in Palo Alto and will train in the Bay Area through May 26.
Two friendlies before the June 2 deadline against Azerbaijan (May 27 at Candlestick Park) and Turkey should have a significant impact on who makes the final.
Wondolowski has been capped 19 times for the US while Goodson has featured 46 times.
Making the World Cup squad would be a first for Wondolowski, 31, who is in the midst of an incredible run of international form.
In addition to scoring in the recent tie against Mexico, Wondo has 9 goals in his last 10 games and took home a share of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot last summer after tying USA teammate Landon Donovan and Panama’s Gabriel Torres with five goals during the month-long tournament.
Wondolowski’s 84 club goals over the last four years are the most by any American in that span of time. He led the MLS in scoring from 2010-12 and was named league MVP in 2012 after setting the league record for goals in a season with 27.
A call up for Goodson, 31, would mark the 6-foot-4 center-back‘s second consecutive World Cup after being part of the 2010 squad in South Africa.
Goodson has featured in two of the three USMT matches this year and played 90 minutes in this summer’s 1-0 Gold Cup Championship win against Panama.
Goodson has made 16 appearances for the Quakes, seven of which have resulted in clean sheets.
The United States was drawn into Group G along with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. They’ll open with Ghana on Monday, June 16 in Natal, followed by Portugal on Sunday, June 22 in Manaus and Germany on Thursday, June 26 in Recife.
Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders (11): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy),Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders (10): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards (6): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Last modified July 27, 2014 1:30 am
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