Altidore May Get First U.S. Cap

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By Jack Bell

Tags: Jozy Altidore, MLS, U 20, United States

Jozy Altidore, the New York Red Bulls 18-year-old striker, could make his first appearance for the United States’ senior national team after being named Friday to Coach Bob Bradley’s provisional roster for an international friendly against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Cup in Johannesburg on Nov. 17.

If he had his druthers, Altidore, who was a star for the U.S. team at last summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, would probably rather be with the Red Bulls playing in MLS Cup in Washington, D.C., which will be played the day after the United States-South Africa match. But the Red Bulls were eliminated last week by the New England Revolution, who have advanced to the championship game. Altidore was on his way to his Florida home on Friday and is expected to travel to South Africa over the weekend.

Altidore joins 16 other players on the initial roster, which Bradley said will be fleshed out after this coming weekend’s matches in Europe. Right now, the team includes 11 players based in Europe. All the players will convene in Johannesburg on Monday for the start of a brief training camp.

“This match is a great way to cap off a very productive year,” Bradley said in a statement, referring to the team’s 11-5-1 record in 2007. “Once again we have the opportunity to draw on a group of players who will certainly play a large role in our attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, and the game against South Africa will be a good first taste of what this environment will be like.” The United States national team has played only two other games on the African continent: losing to Morocco, 3-1, in 1992; and again by 2-1 in 1998. In their only previous meeting, the United States beat South Africa, 4-0, in 2000.

South Africa, the host nation of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is now coached by the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Perreira, who led his native country to the 1994 World Cup title in the United States.

The rosters: United States

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton) DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege) MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu (Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County) FORWARDS: Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

South Africa

GOALKEEPERS: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld), Moeneeb Josephs (Wits University) DEFENDERS: Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Vuyo Mere (Mamelodi Sundowns), Benson Mhlongo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos) MIDFIELDERS: Delron Buckley (Borussia Dortmund), Brent Carelse (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Djurgardens), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Nkosi (Arminia Bielefeld), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs) FORWARDS: Lerato Chabangu (Mameodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Benedict McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers), Sibusiso Zuma (Arminia Bielefeld)

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