Puerto Rico v USA: international soccer friendly – live! – The Guardian

Good morning everyone and welcome to this historic encounter as the U.S Men’s National Team face Puerto Rico for the very first time. Neither team has played since March so it will be interesting to see how much rust they can shake off as they commence the beginning of a busy summer. This is an interesting fixture as this is a chance to see what the future holds for Team USA as well as an opportunity to prepare for Copa America (beginning June 3rd.) Jurgen Klinsmann has conveniently named it a “transition camp” where the 22 selected players – based in Europe and Mexico – bring with them a mixture of club and World Cup experience. Just a note to remember that this will be the only time where this roster will be used as MLS players will join the camp next week.

Eight of the players from today’s squad were a part of the team who reached the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil two years ago but we will also get a chance to see some possible stars for the future. Players such as Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Amando Moreno (Club Tijuana, former New York Red Bulls) and Fabrice Picault (St. Pauli) did not make the roster for the Centenario but they could make a strong statement on why they should feature in future tournaments.

The focal point will surely be upfront where Klinsmann has to decide what to do in order to replace Jozy Altidore (hamstring injury keeps him out of the Copa.) This is clearly a big game for Bobby Wood as he has a fantastic opportunity to prove why he can solve any attacking problems.

Puerto Rico, ranked 152nd in the world, will use this game to prepare for Caribbean Cup qualifiers against Grenada, Antigua and Bermuda next month. El Huaracán Azul (The Blue Hurricane) features eight players who play domestically, three of them for the local team, Bayamón F.C. Only two players, Emmanuel D’Andrea (Sevilla C) and Juan Coca (Kultsu FC) play in Europe. The theme for Puerto Rico, however, is youth as six players are currently playing college soccer in the U.S.

Today might not necessarily be a battle amongst giants but it will give both teams with such close international connections a clear indication of what the immediate future holds.

I’ll be back with the starting line-ups.

U.S. ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Zack Steffen (SC Freiburg)

DEFENDERS (5): John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Emerson Hyndman (Fulham), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Caleb Stanko (SC Freiburg), Danny Williams (Reading)

FORWARDS (5): Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Fabrice Picault (FC St. Pauli), Amando Moreno (Club Tijuana), Bobby Wood (Hamburg)

PUERTO RICO ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (3): José Arroyo (Penn State Abington), Matthew Sanchez (Loyola Greyhounds), Bryant Velázquez (Western Nebraska Community College)

DEFENDERS (4): Emmanuel D’Andrea (Sevilla C), Alexis Rivera (Bayamón FC), Elliot Vélez (Criollos de Caguas FC), Juan Vélez (Criollos de Caguas FC)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Christian Abreu (Guayanilla Pumas), David Caban (Unattached), Christopher Clark (Albany Great Danes), Juan Coca (Kultsu FC), Michael Fern ández (Bayamon FC), Jeremy Hall (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Marcos Martinez (Club Atletico Fajardo), Darren Rios (Florida International Panthers), Manolo Sanchez (San Antonio FC), Samuel Soto (Bayamón FC)

FORWARDS (4): Luis Betancur (Florida International Panthers), Joseph Marrero (Puerto Rico FC), Olvin Ortiz (Club Atletico Fajardo), Jorge Rivera (Puerto Rico FC)