U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will bring 20 players to Brussels for his first match in Europe in charge of the U.S. team, facing Belgium on Sept. 6 in an international friendly. Kickoff from King Baudouin Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN3.com. Fans can follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and Twitter @ussoccer.
As previously planned, the U.S. squad will be joined in Brussels by Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman, Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey and Hannover captain Steve Cherundolo. Returning to their clubs following Friday night’s 1-0 loss to Costa Rica are Teal Bunbury, Landon Donovan, Fabian Johnson and Chris Pontius.
This will be the first meeting between the United States and Belgium since 1998 and the fourth overall. Playing in their first World Cup match ever, the U.S. collected a 3-0 victory against Belgium on July 13, 1930, in Montevideo, Uruguay. The other two encounters took place in Belgium, where the U.S. has failed to score. Overall, the Belgians hold a 2-1-0 advantage in the series.
Following a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan on Friday in Group A of qualifying for the 2012 European Championships, the Belgians have slipped to third place in the group, sitting one point behind Turkey. The Red Devils have qualified for 11 FIFA World Cup finals, finishing fourth in 1986. Belgium has several players competing in big clubs across Europe, including Tim Howard’s teammate at Everton, Marouane Fellaini.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
