This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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U.S. BEGINS WORLD CUP QUALIFYING AGAINST ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: The U.S. Men’s National Team opens the Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Group A when it takes on Antigua & Barbuda at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 8, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. This qualifying match represents the fourth game of the USA’s five-game, 18-day stretch that U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is treating like a five-game tournament. The USA has never faced Antigua & Barbuda in any competition at the senior international level.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
USA’S FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING LEADERS
The following are the top five leaders among the current U.S. Men’s National Team roster in career FIFA World Cup qualifying matches:
Games: 1. Landon Donovan (35); 2. Carlos Bocanegra (26); 3. Steve Cherundolo (21), 4. (tie) Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu (20)
Goals: 1. Landon Donovan (12); 2. Jozy Altidore (6); 3. (tie) Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey (5); 5. Carlos Bocanegra (3)
The following are the top five leaders among the current U.S. Men’s National Team roster who participated in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, when the team posted a 13-3-2 record:
Games: 1. (tie) Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan (15); 4. (tie) Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Oguchi Onyewu (13)
Goals: 1. Jozy Altidore (6); 2. (tie) Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (5); 5. Carlos Bocanegra (2)
Assists: 1. Landon Donovan (11); 2. (tie) Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu (2)
Wins: 1. Tim Howard (10); 2. Brad Guzan (3)
Shutouts: 1. Tim Howard (6); 2. Brad Guzan (3)
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING – CONCACAF SEMIFINAL ROUND
The Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying for CONCACAF consists of three groups of four teams each, comprised of the top six seeds (USA, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba) being split into three groups and joined by six previous group winners from the second round (Panama, Canada, El Salvador, Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Guatemala). The top two teams from each group advance to the Final Round, with that stage to be played from February through October 2013. The top three teams automatically qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while the fourth-place team would then play a two-game playoff against the champion of the Oceania region to determine the other World Cup-bound team.
USA-CANADA REWIND
The U.S. increased its unbeaten streak against Canada to 15 games with a scoreless draw on Sunday, June 3, at BMO Field in Toronto. The USA is 8-0-7 during a stretch that dates back to April 4, 1985.
U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard made three saves and the team posted its fourth clean sheet of the year.
ROSTER NOTES
Jermaine Jones leads the U.S. this year in games (5), minutes played (439) and assists (3). He scored his second international goal against Scotland in the 5-1 victory on May 26, heading home the USA’s fifth on the night. Jones helped Schalke 04 to a third-place finish in the German Bundesliga and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Landon Donovan made his return to the National Team for the first time since September of 2011 when he scored three goals and assisted another during the USA’s win against Scotland on May 26. Donovan has 49 goals and 141 caps following the Canada match.
Jozy Altidore finished his first season at AZ Alkmaar with 19 goals in all competitions, 15 in league play and four in the UEFA Europa League.
IN FOCUS: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Antigua & Barbuda Football Association
Founded: 1928 (Joined FIFA in 1970)
Head Coach: Tom Curtis
FIFA Ranking: 100
Highest FIFA Ranking: 83 (2011)
Best World Cup Finish: Never qualified
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