Profiles of the U.S.players lining up against England in Rustenburg
1 Tim Howard , Goalkeeper
Everton, Age 31 Caps 51
All-action custodian and these days the first choice. Started out as
a midfielder before taking up padded gloves. Played college basketball
and has appeared as an honorary Harlem Globetrotter.
2 Jonathan Spector , Defender
West Ham United, Age 24 Caps 25
Tough-tackling right-sider-cum-makeshift-centre-half. The youngest
American ever to play for Manchester United. A childhood friend of
Michael Bradley. Has never scored a goal.
3 Carlos Bocanegra , Defender
Rennes, Age 31 Caps 79
Captain America: inspirational centre-half-cum-raiding-left-back. Played
more than 100 games for Fulham. Recently voted eighth-sexiest sportsman
in the world. Favourite food: sushi.
4 Michael Bradley , Midfielder
B Mnchengladbach, Age 22 Caps 43
When Bradley plays well the USA tend to impress. A dynamic box-to-box
central midfielder also at home in a deeper lying anchoring role. The
son of the national coach, Bob Bradley, he is integral to his side's
challenge. Bradley is the heartbeat of Borussia Mnchengladbach and
no one would dream of painting him as the beneficiary of nepotism.
5 Oguchi Onyewu , Defender
Milan, Age 28 Caps 54
Defensive giant: the tallest outfield player in USA history at 6ft
4in. Spent most of last season recovering from a ruptured knee. Has
agreed to play for free during the final year of his contract at Milan.
6 Steve Cherundolo , Defender
Hannover 96, Age 31 Caps 60
Pint-sized full-back known for his forward raids. Played every game
at Germany 2006. Has spent 11 years in Germany. Name is pronounced
with an emphasis on "run".
7 DaMarcus Beasley , Midfielder
Rangers, Age 28 Caps 92
Left-sided raider playing at his third World Cup. Has scored more goals
in the Champions League than any other American. Was caught by TV cameras
furtively urinating on the pitch while warming up at the 2002 World
Cup.
8 Clint Dempsey , Midfielder
Fulham, Age 27 Caps 62
Crafty dangerman with an eye for goal. Scored his first international
goal against England in 2005. Once broke John Terry's cheekbone with
his elbow. Recorded hip-hop track Don't Tread under the alias "Deuce".
9 Herculez Gomez , Forward
Pachuca, Age 28 Caps 4
Journeyman poacher who has played for the San Diego Gauchos, LA Galaxy,
San Diego Sockers, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids and Kansas City
Wizards. At Colorado had the honour of scoring first goal at Dick's
Sporting Goods Park.
10 Landon Donovan , Midfielder
LA Galaxy, Age 28 Caps 122
Jet-heeled wing-man. Has scored 42 goals in internationals, 17 more
than Wayne Rooney. Helped Everton beat Manchester United, Chelsea and
Manchester City during 10-game loan spell this year.
11 Stuart Holden , Midfielder
Bolton Wanderers, Age 24 Caps 14
Scots-born wingman and dead-ball specialist. Left Sunderland without
playing a game in 2005 after being beaten up in a bar. Impressive last
season for the Trotters. Grew up in Aberdeen and can still affect a
Scots brogue.
12 Jonathan Bornstein , Defender
Chivas USA, Age 25 Caps 32
Mr Versatile at left-back or in the midfield engine room. Scored the
goal against Costa Rica that meant Honduras qualified for the World
Cup, after which his name was chanted in the streets of the Tegucigalpa.
Insists on eating a foot-long turkey sandwich on Italian herb bread
before every game.
13 Ricardo Clark , Midfielder
Eintracht Frankfurt, Age 27 Caps 29
All-action defensive shield with a Rolls Royce engine. Unassuming off
the pitch but not afraid to put his foot in. His father is called Lancelot
and he likes the music of Bob Marley.
14 Edson Buddle , Forward
LA Galaxy, Age 29 Caps 43
Rangy hitman who made his debut seven years ago but still has only
two caps. Was named after Pel, whose real name is Edson Arantes do
Nascimento.
15 Jay DeMerit , Defender
Watford, Age 30 Caps 19
Reliable stopper with a prodigious leap. Star of the 2009 Confederations
Cup. Sang lead vocals on heavy rock track Soccer Rocks, which contains
the tactically awry lyric "opponents fear a slide tackle when I have
the ball".
16 Francisco Torres , Midfielder
Pachuca, Age 22 Caps 10
Jinking creator with a cultured left foot and tricks in his locker.
Has a Mexican passport and plays for Mexican team Pachuca. The lightest
man in the squad at 135 kilos, the same weight as a Bengal tiger, a
small moped or Charlize Theron.
17 Jozy Altidore , Forward
Hull City, Age 20 Caps 25
Muscular targetman. Has played for three European clubs (Sevilla, Xerez
and Hull City) since 2008, but scored only two goals. Had 208,834 followers
on Twitter last time we looked. Low-key tweet of the week: "Show some
love as we prepare for the big show! USA!! USA!!"
18 Brad Guzan , Goalkeeper
Aston Villa, Age 25 Caps 16
Agile stopper and penalty specialist who once saved four in a game
for Aston Villa in the Carling Cup. Born in Chicago. Loves U2. Not
to be confused with: Brad Friedel.
19 Maurice Edu , Midfielder
Rangers, Age 24 Caps 13
Flexi-player who can play as a feisty pivot or a driving central force.
Signed by Rangers for 2.3m and missed seven months last year with a
knee injury. Known as Mo. His father is also called Mo. His mother
is called Molly.
20 Robbie Findley , Forward
Real Salt Lake, Age 24 Caps 6
Up-and-coming rough-and-ready striking ace, reputed to be the fastest
man in the MLS. Has three cousins who are all professional sportsmen
in either basketball or the NFL.
21 Clarence Goodson, Defender
IK Start, Age 28 Caps 14
Hulking centre-half who cut his teeth with the Maryland Terrapins.
Dangerous from free-kicks and a surprising turn of pace for a big man.
Has a degree in "Art Studio" from Maryland University.
22 Benny Feilhaber , Midfielder
AGF Aarhus, Age 25 Caps 32
Wiry schemer who can lurk in the hole or raid from the right side.
Born in Brazil, aged six he moved to Scarsdale, linking him with dwellers
past and present Beyonc, Jay-Z and Yoko Ono.
23 Marcus Hahnemann , Goalkeeper
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Age 37 Caps 8
Excitingly bearded gloveman who excelled during Wolves' Premier League
survival season. Owns "at least" nine cars and keeps chickens. Favourite
band: Five Finger Death Punch.
Guardian News and Media 2010