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World Cup qualifying: US vs St. Vincent & the Grenadines

The World Cup qualifying kicks off for the U.S.

By Thad Bell
Besler earns another cap for the USMNT
Besler earns another cap for the USMNT
Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

The U.S. Men's National team starts the road to the World Cup against St. Vincent & the Grenadines tonight in St. Louis. This will be the first test for the U.S. MNT since their disappointment in the CONCACAF Cup Playoff and the Gold Cup before that.

After the match with St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the U.S. will travel to Port of Spain for the away match with Trinidad, which will be played Nov. 17. Guatemala is the fourth team in the group. The top two teams will advance to "The Hex" to determine which teams will qualify for the World Cup.

The roster Jurgen Klinsmann called in is a mix of veterans and younger players. Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler was called up again and will earn his 28th cap.

U.S. Roster By Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (8) : Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham FC), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC)

MIDFIELDERS (7) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Club Leon), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)

FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

A pushover?

In theory, St. Vincent & the Grenadines should be an easy match for the U.S. but the team is loaded with players that play for some good clubs in strong leagues.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES ROSTER BY POSITION:
GOALKEEPERS (3) : Moises Munoz (Club America/Mexico); Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/Mexico); Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey/Mexico)
DEFENDERS (8) : Paul Aguilar (Club America/Mexico); Israel Jimenez (Tigres/Mexico); Miguel Layun (Porto/Portugal); Rafael Marquez (Hellas Verona/Italy); Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands); Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad/Spain); Arturo Rivas (Tigres/Mexico); Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres/Mexico) 
MIDFIELDERS (8): Javier Aquino (Tigres/Mexico); Andres Guardado (PSV Eindhoven; Netherlands); Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto/Portugal); Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal/Spain); Carlos Esquivel (Toluca/Mexico), Javier Güémez (Club America/Mexico); Elias Hernandez (Club Leon/Mexico); Hector Herrera (Porto, Portugal) 
FORWARDS (4): Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany); Raul Jimenez (Benfica/Portugal); Oribe Peralta (Club America/Mexico); Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad/Spain);

A strong showing is needed

Jurgen Klinsmann has been under fire for what has been a lackluster performance recently and the results in these two matches will be closely watched and dissected by fans and media alike.

Lineups:

How to watch:

Match Date/Time: Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. local

Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

TV: ESPN 2 (U.S. - English), Unimas, Univision Deportes (U.S. - Spanish)

Online: Watch ESPN, Fubo TV, Sling (U.S.)

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