World Cup 2014: Team USA roster
Age: 31
Position: Forward
Club: Seattle Sounders FC
"Captain America" will need to display some of the incredible creativity and playmaking he has so far this season for the Seattle Sounders. He's likely to be positioned just behind the front line and given the green light to do whatever possible to engineer goals for himself and others. When the native Texan left the English Premier League for more money and a team a little closer to home last year, many fretted the lesser competition would doom the U.S. team by making him a weaker player. Dempsey will have a huge opportunity to prove them wrong, and bolster the MLS' image at the same time.
Michael Bradley
Age: 26
Position: Midfield
Club: Toronto FC
Practically bred to play soccer (his dad, Bob, was the U.S. men’s coach from 2006-2011), Bradley is arguably one of the most talented U.S. men's players of all time. The New Jersey native had a stint on Roma in Italy's Serie A before moving to MLS' Toronto FC earlier this year. Famously intense, the U.S. will be utterly dependent on his high energy, fearlessness and hard running against the stiff competition it faces.
Jozy Altidore
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Sunderland
No American player is more of an enigma than this New Jersey native with Haitian lineage. He had a good run with AZ Alkmaar of the top Dutch league before having an abysmal season with Sunderland in the English Premier League this past year. There is no doubt he will be the main man up front for the U.S., though. The good news is the big-bodied striker usually brings his "A" game to the international stage. Coach Klinsmann will require it, and there'll be a deep enough bench to yank him if need be.
Tim Howard
Age: 35
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Everton
It will likely be reassuring to U.S. fans to have the incredibly intense Howard barking orders at his defense from the net again this World Cup. Even with the caliber of attackers coming at the New Jersey native in the opening round, fans can reasonably hope the 100th clean sheet he recorded in the English Premier League as Everton's keeper this spring was a sign he is still at the top of his game and one of the best keepers in the world right now.
DaMarcus Beasley
Age: 31
Position: Defense
Club: Puebla
The Indiana-born veteran can play almost any position on the left side of the pitch, but Klinsmann is likely to use him at left back. It's still not guaranteed he'll start, but his versatility and vast international experience for both the national team and at the professional level – he was the first-ever American to play in a Champion's League semifinal – are certain to lead to some playing time in Brazil.
Geoff Cameron
Age: 28
Position: Defense
Club: Stoke City
The big defender and self-described "proud Bostonian" is headed to Brazil because of the fine form he showed for Stoke City in the English Premier League last year. He can play both center back and right back, but the latter seems his more likely landing spot if he makes the starting 11.
Chris Wondolowski
Age: 31
Position: Forward
Club: San Jose Earthquakes
"Wondo" has an unusual ability to put himself in scoring positions, and with the U.S. men's team's infamous history of struggling to create goal opportunities, that is likely the reason this California-native made the 23-man squad. He has struggled a bit against better opponents however, so he will need to prove himself in camp to get playing time in Brazil.
Kyle Beckerman
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
Club: Real Salt Lake
Despite his unusual hair style, Beckerman is actually a very conservative midfielder, content with controlling possession and staying back while his teammates make runs on goal. He's not a lock to start but is headed to Brazil because of his steadiness; the Maryland native won’t break open a game and overwhelm opponents but he can keep the ball away from just about anyone.
Timothy Chandler
Age: 24
Position: Defense
Club: FC Nürnberg
Born in Germany to a U.S. military dad and a German mother, this fast and strong defender can play both right and center back. He nearly had his U.S. team hopes dashed by a disastrous showing against Honduras last year and knee surgery, but Klinsmann is high on him after a strong season in the Bundesliga. If any American can run with the Cristiano Ronaldos of the world, it’s Chandler, which is why he could crack the starting 11 if healthy.
Brad Guzan
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Aston Villa
The Americans probably couldn’t be happier to have the steady Illinois native as their first-choice backup in goal. He's played well in the English Premier League for Aston Villa since 2008, who awarded him with a four-year contract extension last year.
Nick Rimando
Age: 34
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Real Salt Lake
Last year, the California native earned his 100th career shutout in the MLS, only the second goalkeeper to do so. Each World Cup team is required to bring three keepers to the tournament, and Klinsmann only named three to his 30-man roster, so the player many call MLS' best goalkeeper of the last decade will be on the plane to Brazil.
Fabian Johnson
Age: 26
Position: Defense
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Another son of an American serviceman and a German mother, Klinsmann lured the fleet-footed defender from the German national team's development roster in 2011. Klinsmann has since used Johnson in a variety of positions between the midfield and the back line, and he can play inside and out. He's good enough to crack the starting 11 with a good showing in camp. The only question is where, because his vision and excellent weak foot abilities can place him anywhere on the field.
Jermaine Jones
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
Club: Beşiktaş
Another one of the Americans born to a U.S. military dad and a German mom, Jones switched allegiances in 2009 after playing briefly for one of the German youth teams. He can mentally get knocked off his game, but Jones is an outstanding, tough, rangy midfielder and a favorite of Klinsmann's who is almost certain to start alongside Michael Bradley in the middle of the pitch.
Mikkel Diskerud
Age: 23
Position: Midfield
Club: Rosenborg BK
The Norwegian-born son of an Arizona woman, "Mix" declared his loyalty to the U.S. national team in 2010. His creative play and strong season with Norwegian powerhouse Rosenburg put him in the final grouping of 23. The major knock against him is his play can be inconsistent.
Aron Johannsson
Age: 23
Position: Forward
Club: AZ
The striker may have been born in Alabama, but his parents are from Iceland, which is where he grew up. He has shown a knack for finishing and handling the ball in tight spaces. He succeeded Jozy Altidore at AZ Alkmaar as the top striker and has given that club every bit of goal production that Altidore once did.
Alejandro Bedoya
Age: 27
Position: Midfield
Club: Nantes
Since moving to France’s top professional league last year, the New Jersey native's stock as a member of the U.S. team has gone up. He's unlikely to crack the starting 11, but the shifty midfielder could provide an important boost of energy and attacking creativity off the bench in Brazil.
Matt Besler
Age: 27
Position: Defense
Club: Sporting Kansas City
The Kansas native and MLS All-Star is a near-lock to start at center back. He is smart and steady with the ball at his feet, and will provide important continuity for the U.S. team as he's been Klinsmann preferred option in his position for a while now.
Graham Zusi
Age: 27
Position: Midfield
Club: Sporting Kansas City
The Florida native is not the fastest midfielder on the squad, but he does serve up some excellent passes and free kicks, as was put on display during qualifying. Even with Landon Donovan off the final 23-man squad, he's unlikely to see a lot, if any, playing time, but could provide Coach Klinsmann an excellent emergency option on the bench if needed.
Omar Gonzalez
Age: 25
Position: Defense
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
The only thing that would keep this native Texan from starting on defense is injury, which he has struggled with recently. He is a big, tough player with great aerial ability that has earned the coach's confidence. Some had questioned his decision to not head to Europe to prove himself when professional clubs there came calling a few years ago, but he could show his doubters how wrong they were in Brazil.
John Brooks
Age: 21
Position: Defense
Club: Hertha BSC
Still another son of an American serviceman and a German mother, Klinsmann lured him to permanently join the U.S. squad last year. He's big – 6'5" – and doing well in the Bundesliga and will likely be a big part of the American team's future, but his lack of experience might cost him playing time in Brazil.
DeAndre Yedlin
Age: 20
Position: Defense
Club: Seattle Sounders
While his unmistakable hairstyle might draw eyes, the Washington native's speed on the flanks has drawn the U.S. coaches' attention. He's got a lot of upside, but his youth may work against him when it comes to playing time. The defender will likely have to put on the best performance of his life to make it onto the field in Brazil.
Julian Green
Age: 18
Position: Midfield
Club: Bayern Munich
About Green: The teenage product of still another American serviceman and German mother, Green was arguably the most controversial inclusion on Klinsmann’s 23-man roster. The winger/forward had a choice between playing for Germany -- who allegedly wanted him -- or the U.S., and rumor has it he was offered a trip to Brazil if he signed with the U.S. now. It could turn out to be an excellent gamble for the U.S., however, as his Bayern Munich teammates, some of the world’s best players, have nothing but the highest praise for Green's potential, skills and motor.
Brad Davis
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
Club: Houston Dynamo
It's been three years since Davis was a finalist for the MLS MVP award, but the Missouri native has shown consistent-enough midfield play from the wing to earn a spot on the plane to Brazil. He's got a strong shot and is a decisive passer, but will have his work cut out for him to stand out from a crowded midfield in camp.