Jurgen Klinsmann names USMNT roster for Peru and Brazil friendlies

The United States has their team for their September 4 friendly against Peru. Jurgen Klinsmann selected a 23-man roster for the contest, which is led by Jozy Altidore and notable for the return of Tim Howard, who is back after a one-year international hiatus.

Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Sean Johnson are not on this roster because Klinsmann allowed them to stay with their MLS teams, which have matches the weekend of the Peru match. But all three will be called into the season when the Americans square off against Brazil on September 8.

Howard's return means that the battle for the starting goalkeeper job is back on again. Brad Guzan too the gig over the last year and was solid during the Gold Cup, but now Howard will try to wrestle it back from him.

In defense, there isn't a ton to make U.S. fans comfortable. Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks, the Americans' disastrous duo at the Gold Cup, are both back, but they are joined by four other centerbacks so there will be ample competition. Injuries have depleted the American fullbacks and Klinsmann doesn't appear interested in giving anyone new (or long absent) a look so Greg Garza is the only recognized left back and Geoff Cameron will be out of position at right back.

The midfield is rather predictable, with Jermaine Jones the only notable name. He is back after missing the summer through injury, but there's little else to speak of. It's a rather weak group, filled with player who need to show they can cut it on the international level.

The forwards are as expected, with Andrew Wooten getting his first call-up the closest thing to a surprise.

With the Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico just a month away, then World Cup qualifying in November, there isn't a ton more time for experimentation. The U.S. has to be good and near their best starting in October so it's time for players to make a case to be called in again and Klinsmann to bring together a team ready to compete.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham)

Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)