The Roster Challenge

The USA-Costa Rica match is the only FIFA World Cup qualifier in the world being played on June 3. The match originally scheduled for June 10 was moved up by FIFA due to the USA’s participation in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. The U.S. will have one day less of rest, with just two days off before facing Honduras on June 6 in Chicago. The team departs June 8 for South Africa.

The shortened schedule is not the only challenge for the U.S. team. With nearly half of the U.S. roster playing in club matches on the weekend, players could be forced to play three matches in eight days. Throw in both cross-country and international travel, and man-management becomes a major factor for the coaching staff.

Player Location Minutes
Carlos Bocanegra Marseilles 90 minutes in 4-0 loss @ Marseilles
Brian Ching Houston 81 minutes in a 3-0 win vs. Toronto
Landon Donovan Los Angeles 90 minutes in 1-1 tie vs. Kansas City
Tim Howard London 90 minutes in 2-1 loss to Chelsea
Pablo Mastroeni New Jersey 90 minutes in 3-2 loss @ New York
Marvell Wynne Houston 90 minutes in 3-0 loss @ Houston
Danny Califf Brondby 90 minutes in 4-2 win @ Brondby
Benny Feilhaber Vejle 90 minutes in 2-1 loss @ Vejle
Jose Francisco Torres Pachuca 48 minutes in 2-2 draw with Pumas

Finally, four players on the U.S. roster - Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, and Oguchi Onyewu - are carrying cards into tomorrow's game. Their next caution will result in a one-match suspension.