The USA is likely to get a look at one of South America's top young stars when it faces Colombia Wednesday night in a friendly in Fullerton, Calif. The game, which will not be televised, is one of two U.S. exhibitions in preparation for World Cup qualifiers against Mexico (March 27) and Guatemala (March 30.
Colombia, which faces Venezuela (March 26) and Argentina (March 30) in its next World Cup qualifiers, will be without players from America Cali and Independiente Medellin, which have Libertadores Cup games this week.
But coach Reinaldo Rueda is bringing 19-year-old Hugo Rodallega, who was the leading scorer in February's South American U-20 championship, which Colombia won. He scored a record 11 goals despite being benched for the first game, against Bolivia, for "a lack of commitment in training." "Rodagol" scored with both feet, his head, from a free kick, from the penalty spot and with a bicycle kick.
Rodallega had earned his U-20 call-up after scoring 11 goals for First Division club Deportes Quindmo in 2004.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena's squad is entirely MLS based and includes four uncapped players.
USA ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS
Jon Busch (Columbus Crew) 0 caps/0 goals
Joe Cannon (Colorado Rapids) 1/0
Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy) 2/0
DEFENDERS
Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy) 12/1
Nat Borchers (Colorado Rapids) 0/0
Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew) 61/5
Ritchie Kotschau (Colorado Rapids) 0/0
Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew) 0/0
MIDFIELDERS
Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution) 2/0
Eddie Gaven (MetroStars) 1/0
Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew) 3/0
Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) 33/0
Clint Mathis (Real Salt Lake) 44/11
Brian Mullan (San Jose Earthquakes) 1/0
Steve Ralston (New England Revolution) 17/2
FORWARDS
Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes) 5/2
Ed Johnson (F.C. Dallas) 4/6
Pat Noonan (New England Revolution) 1/0
Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution) 8/0
COLOMBIA Roster
GOALKEEPERS
Juan Carlos Henao (Santos, Brazil)
Breiner Castillo (Aucas, Ecuador)
DEFENDERS
Aquivaldo Mosquera (Atletico Nacional)
Camilo Zzniga (Atletico Nacional)
Humberto Mendoza (Atletico Nacional)
Cesar Fawcett (Real Cartagena)
Andres Orozco (Dorados, Mexico)
Jose Julian de la Cuesta (Cadiz, Spain)
MIDFIELDERS
Andres Casanas (Envigado)
Hector Hurtado (Atletico Nacional)
Juan Carlos Rammrez (Independiente Santa Fe)
Aldo Rammrez (Independiente Santa Fe)
John Javier Restrepo (Cruz Azul, Mexico)
Vmctor Pacheco (Atlante, Mexico)
John Viafara (Once Caldas)
FORWARDS
Edixon Perea (Atletico Nacional)
Hugo Rodallega (Quindio)
Luis Gabriel Rey (Morelia, Mexico)