I understand it is a video game, but it is fun to analyze. A lot of you probably play or have played the FIFA franchise and their expanded game play has brought many different aspects of the game to your favorite console. While playing through career mode my created player was added to an international friendly roster for a match against South Africa in early 2013. Here is the rest of the 23 man roster named.
Goalkeepers
Brad Guzan (Starter) – Guzan has been named to many camps under Jurgen Klinsmann. His recent play has been great at Aston Villa considering the team’s overall defensive ability is poor. Some may even say his club for has been better than Tim Howard. He was the starter for the friendly match.
Tim Howard – He has been the stalwart and his national team form has been unbelievably solid. Could Guzan ever take over as the number one? Form and age would say no.
Andy Gruenebaum – The Hebrew Hammer seems to be an unlikely third choice. He plays for the Columbus Crew and was drafted in 2006. He became the first Major League Soccer keeper to give up a goal to an opposing keeper during the run of play. He started 33 matches for the Crew this season.
Sep 12, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Chicago Fire defender Austin Berry (22) heads the ball against the Toronto FC at BMO Field. The Fire beat the FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Defenders
Tony Beltran (Starting Left Back)- Beltran featured for the U-20 team in 2007 and now plays for Real Salt Lake. The UCLA product may be best known for heading away a Jeff Parke attempt on goal in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs to help Salt Lake reach a 3-2 aggregate victory. The California born outside back started 32 matches this season and was just given a contract extension.
Omar Gonzalez (Starting Center Back) – Gonzalez is getting plenty of attention after his MLS Cup Final MVP performance. It seems he has the most momentum for a call up.
Chad Marshall (Starting Center Back) – The Columbus Crew captain is a veteran and finished second to Clint Dempsey for Rookie of the Year in 2004. He is the 2008 MLS Defender of the Year. Marshall has caps for the under-17 team all the way up to the National Team. His first cap with the National Team was in 2005 but had to wait four years until his next in the Gold Cup. He received Gold Cup All Tournament Honors.
Justin Morrow (Starting Right Back) – This San Jose Earthquake has no National Team experience and has been loaned to FC Tampa Bay twice in his young MLS career. The loans may have helped his development as he started 33 matches this year only accumulating two cards, both yellows, all year. He recorded four assists this season and does have speed to use.
Austin Berry – Berry started 28 matches as a rookie in the MLS this year. After the season he would train with Atlético Madrid. The MLS Rookie of the Year looks like he could be on his way to a very successful career after helping the Chicago Fire return to the playoffs.
Gabriel Farfan – The 24 year old has nine caps with the under-17 squad but has not seen action since 2005. He now plays with the Philadelphia Union and started 22 matches this season.
Midfielders
Stuart Holden – It is nice to see Stuart Alistair Holden on a national team roster. It was announced this week that he had returned to training with Bolton after a long rehabilitation program for a knee injury. He has 17 matches with the National Team and was last seen in 2010.
Joe Corona – Fans have got to know Corona through under-23 competition and recent camps under Klinsmann. He also just won the Mexican Apertura With the Xolos. He seems to be a key for future rosters.
Geoff Cameron – Video games always have a way to through a nice twist in there. Cameron has midfield experience and was thrown in the roster as such.
Freddy Adu (Starting Left Wing) – Adu would like to add to his number of caps on the National Team and build on a successful youth national team career. He was last seen as a member of the failing Olympic qualifying squad. The Philadelphia Union player had a ton of pressure to deal with as a young teen and now wants to get back to the National Squad.
Michael Bradley (Starting Defensive Mid – 6) – Even a video game can’t screw this one up.
Joshua Gatt – (Starting Right Wing) – Gatt finally got to show what he could do against Russia. It was a decent showing for his fist cap and his speed should keep him in the eye of Klinsmann.
Danny Williams – Williams is on a slumping team and has had his ups and downs for the National Team. It seems he strives in his natural position just ahead of the back four, but has been forced into playing center back for Hoffenheim. He still seems to be an asset for the National Team.
Dilly Duka – Dilaver is of Albanian descent and currently plays the the Columbus Crew. It seems Klinsmann favored Crew players in this roster. The New Jersey native has 13 caps for the under-20 team and one cap for the under-23 team.
August 25, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Dilly Duka (11) chests the ball out of the air against the New England Revolution at Crew Stadium. The Crew won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Torres (Starting Mid – 8) – Torres is very familiar to the National Team and it would not be a surprise to see him back in the lineup. He recently moved to Tigres.
Forwards
Chris Pontius – After his great season with D.C. United Pontius did receive a call up but was too injured to respond. He is definitely on the radar, but has not made an appearance under Klinsmann.
Teal Bunbury – He has four caps for the National Team, but has been left out of recent camps.
The final two forwards were both created players, one that I controlled.
So what do you think? Who will we see make a USMNT roster?
Remember it is just a video game, but it is fun to see what they come up with for a friendly. Would you like to see how it progresses on FIFA13 with futurs posts about rosters?