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Jurgen Klinsmann adds three players to USMNT for Brazil friendly

Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Jurgen Klinsmann is making three changes to his United States team for their friendly against Brazil on Tuesday. Michael Bradley, Sean Johnson and Jordan Morris have all been added to the American roster for the match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

In a bit of a surprise, Clint Dempsey was not among those added to the U.S. roster. He was originally going to join the team to take on Brazil, but Klinsmann opted to leave him with the Sounders as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Bradley and Johnson were always scheduled to join the team for this match, as Bradley only missed last week's friendly against Peru because Toronto FC wanted him for a key MLS match and Klinsmann continues to rotate his third goalkeepers. Morris wasn't on the list of those to be called up for Brazil, but he could be taking Dempsey's place and it will be good to see him back with the national team for the first time since his summer leg surgery.

With Bradley, Johnson and Morris added to the team, Klinsmann sent William Yarbrough and Matt Besler back to their clubs. Yarbrough is no surprise, as Johnson steps in as the third string goalkeeper to get him some time with the national team.

Besler being sent home is unexpected. He played very well against Peru and seemed to be be ready to jump into the fray at the problematic centerback spot, but his leaving the team has nothing to do with how he performed. Instead, it was honoring a request from Sporting Kansas City, who have an MLS match on Wednesday.

"We were impressed with Matt Besler this past week," Klinsmann said to USSoccer.com. "We definitely saw what we needed to see from him as we prepare for the Mexico clash and Sporting KC badly wanted him back for Wednesday, so we agreed to send him home."

The U.S. and Brazil will play on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN2.