Dempsey, Davies on Confederation Roster

US Gears Up for South Africa Tournament

June 8, 2009

CHICAGO — Former Revolution forward Clint Dempsey and ex-BC star Charlie Davies were about the 23 players named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for this month’s Confederations Cup.

Clint Dempsey

Former Rev Clint Dempsey is back with the US team.(Chris ADUAMA/aduama.com

The team departs for South Africa today and begins training for June 14-28 event tomorrow. The U.S. kicks off action against defending World Cup champion Italy on June 15 at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane/Pretoria, and then faces Brazil on June 18 in the same venue. The United States finishes group play on June 21 against Egypt at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

“The FIFA Confederations Cup is a great opportunity to play against top level competition and gain further experience competing in tough games,” said Bradley, who holds a 25-9-4 record since being named head coach in 2007. “Equally important is the chance for our team to experience the environment in South Africa, everything from travel to food to weather. We believe the experience will be invaluable if we qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

Of the 23-man roster, 17 players are plying their trade in Europe, playing in nine different countries. Twenty-two players have at least one cap in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle.

The U.S. is playing in its fourth FIFA Confederations Cup tournament, having appeared most recently in the 2003 event in a group with Brazil, Turkey and Cameroon. The team reached the semifinals of the 1999 tournament, beating Germany and New Zealand in group play before losing to hosts Mexico in the semifinals.

The U.S. is in the midst of a grueling summer schedule. Following two World Cup qualifiers on June 3 and June 6 and their participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup, the U.S. returns to home soil to defend the Gold Cup title from July 3-26 in 13 venues across the United States. Now halfway through the final round of qualifying and sitting in second place with 10 points, the U.S. next travels to face Mexico on Aug. 12 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

U.S. Men's National Team Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland ), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Return from Dempsey, Davies on Confederation Roster to US National Teams

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