The United States 23-man squad for the World Cup has been named and the U.S. is expected to make some noise in 2010 World Cup odds. The United States opens up play against England and that match may determine how far the United States goes in World Cup betting.
United States coach Bob Bradley names his 23-man roster on Wednesday and there are some familiar names on it. Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley are on the team again but there are some new faces including Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez. There were seven players cut from the squad. They were defenders Chad Marshall and Heath Pearce; midfielders Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers; and forwards Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson.
This will be the third World Cup for Donovan, Beasley, and defender Steve Cherundolo. Most of the players on the U.S. roster are from Europe. In fact, 17 of the 23 players have been playing in Europe. There are four players from the MLS and two from Mexican teams. Eight of the players have been playing in England, three in Germany, two in Scotland, and one in Italy, France, Norway and Denmark.
The United States is a long shot to win the World Cup as they are listed at 52-1. They are the second choice to win Group C behind England. The U.S. is 4-1 to win Group C while England is the odds-on favorite at -325. Slovenia and Algeria are not expected to be much of a threat in that group. The United States opens up World Cup play against England on Saturday, June 12th. England is a -210 favorite in that match while the U.S. is +470 and the Draw is +290.
Here is a look at the U.S. squad.
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
Midfielders: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton) and Jose Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jozy Altidore (Hull), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake) and Herculez Gomez (Pachuca).