Jurgen Klinsmann names USA roster for friendlies vs. Scotland, Austria

Jurgen Klinsmann has tapped 23 players for the United States' friendlies against Scotland and Austria on November 15 and 19, none of whom are still playing in the MLS Cup Playoffs. There was some consternation about whether Klinsmann would call up players still involved in the playoffs and there were conflicting reports saying that he would and wouldn't, but in the end he chose to leave them at home.

The roster is headlined by Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley. Dempsey and Bradley make their returns to the team after missing the October World Cup qualifiers through injury, while Eric Lichaj is also a notable addition to the team as he joins the Yanks for the first time in more than two years.

Missing from the team are Landon Donovan or Clarence Goodson, both of whom would have been available because the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes are not in the playoffs, but are carrying injuries. Graham Zusi, Matt Besler, Brad Davis, Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman make up the players who may have been called in had their teams been eliminated from the playoffs by now.

With Besler out, John Brooks will have the chance to make an impression at central defense, although he will have to beat out Geoff Cameron and Michael Orozco for the spot. Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson will also get a chance to impress, even if just in training, with Rimando not on the team.

There are a glut of players looking for playing time up top, with Chris Wondolowski and Terrence Boyd joining Altidore, Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Aron Johansson at forward. Whether either can get on the field much remains to be seen, but it appears to be a task too tall at first glance with the other four all more experienced, central to the team or in outstanding for for their clubs.

Goalkeepers: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Michael Orozco (Puebla)

Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (Stoke City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)