A lack of playing time with his second-division Spanish club cost long-time captain Carlos Bocanegra a spot on a United States roster that will miss several other defenders for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday.
Bocanegra, 32, has been the U.S. captain since 2007. However, after moving to Racing Santander on loan last year, he has not played since Feb. 5.
In a conference call announcing his 23-man roster for the 8 p.m. game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Klinsmann said, “The reason he’s not here is he’s simply not playing. He’s not getting any minutes. He has no flow. He has no rhythm. This is not the end of his international career, but he understands right now he’s behind a lot of players.”
He’s not the only defender not on the roster. Two starters from Team USA’s 2-1 loss at Honduras in the first World Cup qualifier Feb. 6 — Timmy Chandler (hamstring) and Fabian Johnson (hip) — are also out.
That leaves a young back line in front of goalkeeper Brad Guzan, himself a replacement for injured Tim Howard (broken bones in his back). Guzan, who will play his first World Cup qualifier in four years, may count on the likes of two 25-year-olds making their World Cup qualifier debuts: Tony Beltran of Real Salt Lake and Justin Morrow of the San Jose Earthquakes.
This doesn’t count injuries to two-time World Cup participant Steve Cherundolo (knee surgery), Edgar Castillo (facial fractures), Jonathan Spector (ankle) and Jose Torres (hamstring). Also, midfielder Danny Williams is out with an illness and Landon Donovan, the career scoring leader, is taking an extended break.
If the U.S. loses it takes an 0-2 record against Mexico Tuesday in Mexico City where the Americans have won once in their history.
“It’s definitely a challenge, no doubt about that,” said Klinsmann. “But we have a roster together that gives us confidence to approach both games very positively.”
Team USA will have a major challenge against a Costa Rica team that has won three and tied two in its past five games against the U.S. dating back to 2005. The six defenders on the U.S. roster have combined to play in only 12 World Cup qualifiers. This will be Guzan’s sixth.
Klinsmann won’t announce the new captain, or captains, until he meets the complete team Tuesday.
“You only get experience if you play,” Klinsmann said. “If you don’t have experience yet like a Carlos Bocanegra, you get games under your belt and gain that experience. The players that are here for the upcoming challenges definitely have the qualities and definitely have the confidence to get the job done.”
As for Donovan, who has taken a self-imposed sabbatical from the game, Klinsman hinted he may not go to Brazil if the U.S. qualifies.
“As a coach you always live in the present and for today and not yesterday. There are no promises to anybody. Nobody is guaranteed to be part of the future. You have to make your future.”
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnhendersondp
U.S. roster
The U.S. roster for Friday night’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, with club and World Cup qualifying caps and goals in parentheses:
GOALKEEPERS (Three): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, 5/3 shutouts); Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire, 0/0); Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake, 0/0)
DEFENDERS (Six): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake, 0/0); Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City, 0/0); Geoff Cameron (Stoke City, 6/0); Omar Gonzalez (L.A. Galaxy, 1/0); Clarence Goodson (Brondby, 5/0); Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes, 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (Nine): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla, 26/6); Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake, 2/0); Michael Bradley (Roma, 20/5); Joe Corona (Club Tijuana, 1/0); Maurice Edu (Bursaspor, 10/0); Jermaine Jones (Schalke, 6/0); Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, 13/0); Brek Shea (Stoke City, 2/0); Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City, 4/0)
FORWARDS (Five): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar, 18/6); Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna, 2/0); Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur, 27/11); Herculez Gomez (Santos, 6/2); Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC, 12/10)
