Europe-based players on U.S. roster for World Cup qualifiers

U.S. national team Coach Juergen Klinsmann on Sunday called up 25 players for training camp ahead of two World Cup qualifying matches against Jamaica. The teams meet Friday in Kingston and again Sept. 11 in Columbus, Ohio.

The U.S., with a win and a tie in two matches, leads Group A in the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying.

Fifteen of the players Klinsmann selected are currently playing in Europe, including strikers Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Tim Howard and defenders Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra.

A 16th player, midfielder Joshua Gatt of Norway’s Molde FC, had to turn down his invitation because of an injury. The call-up would have marked the first to the senior national team for Gatt. He will not be replaced.

Also missing from the roster is Galaxy captain Landon Donovan, who hasn’t played since straining a hamstring in the U.S. win over Mexico in a friendly last month, and midfielder Michael Bradley, who sustained a thigh strain in training with AS Roma last week.

“We have a very good group,” Klinsmann said in a conference call Sunday. “We know we’re going to have to give everything we have to try to beat Jamaica.

“Jamaica is a very good team. A lot of their guys play overseas as well. They are very physical. They have a lot of speed. But if we play to our strengths I think we have a chance to beat them.”

The team will train for three days in Miami before leaving for Jamaica. The U.S. is 6-1-2 in all competition in 2012, including historic 1-0 wins in friendlies in Italy and Mexico City.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City).

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos).

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