/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43936890/20140923_ajw_sr9_185.JPG.0.jpg)
Sporting Kansas City Captain Matt Besler was one of the 25 players called into camp by U.S. Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. This group will prepare for the final matches of 2014 where the U.S. will take on No. 3-ranked Colombia on Nov. 14 in London and play the Republic of Ireland on the 18th.
Midfielder Graham Zusi was not called up for this round. Zusi did not look himself towards the end of the season and could use a rest but so could Besler. Both players looked a little fatigued and at least Besler was nursing injuries.
Klinsmann has spoken a lot about using the veterans to pass on experience to the newer players. "I think if you look at these veterans - Kyle Beckerman, DaMarcus Beasley, Nick Rimando, Jermaine Jones - I think those are all players that have to help get the younger players to another level," said Klinsmann via U.S. Soccer. "It's literally their jobs; it's what we're asking. I know everybody is busy with themselves and wants to play and show what they have, but in a transition phase after a World Cup, having a year until you play that Gold Cup in July, we need these older players. Beasley is a very important player in this going forward, and Beckerman and Rimando. They have to show what it takes to become consistent and a real professional."
While Klinsmann speaks of the veterans passing on knowledge, he may be looking for at least one veteran to gain experience in Jones. The New England midfielder is listed as a defender and the experiment with him at center back will likely continue. Having a veteran leader like Besler next to him could help that transition.
U.S. MNT ROSTER BY POSITION - DETAILED ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (4): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Hamburg), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)