U.S. coach Bruce Arena has called up four players — Wade Barrett, Dan Califf, Ricardo Clark and Brian Ching — from the San Jose Earthquakes, MLS's hottest team, for the USA's Oct. 8 World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica.
The USA and Mexico have already clinched a spot at the 2006 World Cup. Costa Rica, currently in third-place position, can clinch a second straight World Cup appearance with a win over the USA.
"Obviously our main goal has been accomplished, which was qualifying for the 2006 World Cup," says Arena. "However, the last two games in this round are extremely important, not only from a competitive aspect, but also in evaluating players as we look toward the vital preparations for the 2006 World Cup."
Goalkeepers
Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles)
Tim Howard (Manchester United)
Defenders
Chris Albright (Los Angeles)
Wade Barrett (San Jose)
Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham)
Dan Califf (San Jose)
Eddie Lewis (Leeds United)
Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege)
Eddie Pope (Salt Lake)
Jonathan Spector (Charlton)
Midfielders
DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven)
Ricardo Clark (San Jose)
Bobby Convey (Reading)
Kyle Martino (Columbus)
Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)
Forwards
Brian Ching (San Jose)
Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
Taylor Twellman (New England)