Though set a week ago, there have been a few changes to those selected to represent the Red, White & Blue this month in FL & CT. The opponents like the last few are in the top 25 teams of the FIFA rankings and a few veteran players have been brought in, Michael Bradley & Brad Guzan. FIrst up is Colombia #14 on the 11th of Oct. in FL, on deck are Peru in CT on the 16th. The Colombia game has over 23,000 tickets sold and counting and will be broadcast by FS1, UniMas & UDN from 7:30p.m. ET. the Peru game which we are expecting to attend, has the US kicking off facing the #21 team on ESPN 2, UniMas & UDN also from 7:30 p.m. ET.
USMNT HC Dave Sarachan stated, " I'm excitied about the coming games. There is a consistent group of younger players that we've had over the past friendlies. We will have Pulisic back and there is also the addition of a couple veteran players in Michael Bradley & Brad Guzan." With New York Red Bull midfielder Tyler Adams now out, that is offset a bit by Bradley, Zack Steffan has been stellar in goal so Guzan is a switch. As the USMNT prep for the 2022 World Cup, there have been a total of 18 players getting their first caps since Nov, and 10 are age eligible for the U-23 team for the Olympics in 2020. Pulisic welcomed back after missing the Sept. camp due to injury is out again, as 12 year vets, Michael and Brad arrive following a years absence. Bradley #4 in all time USMNT games and #2 wih 22 assists and Guzan is top 5 in gk's with 58 caps, #4 in wins with 30 and #5 in blank sheets, now tending net for the top team in the MLS.
Topping the roster for Colombia is of course, James, with Falcao, Ospina among the dozen World Cup players as Peru brings in 16 including 3 MLS based players. Local USMNT players include, Aaron Long, Matt Miazga, Ben Sweat, Tyler Adams, Michael Bradley & TIm Weah.
By the #'s:
-23years, 168 days, avg. age of US team, 15 are 23 & under
-9 age eligible for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
-18 caps avg., 17 players below 10
- 140 caps tops on roster, Michael Bradley
-16 return from the Sept. camp, 12 were active for the Mexico game on Sept. 11
-9 different countries for their home clubs
-5 different goal scorers on the year
-6 top # of appearances for team this year
-3 getting their first call up
-7 players have already faced Colombia
-4 played Colombia last time
-4 have seen action facing Peru
-12 have been on US rosters in a Youth World Cup
-16 are out of USSDA programs