Beckerman, Rimando named to USMNT for WCQs in bid to clinch berth

Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman have been named to the US Men's National Team roster for a pair of 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico to take place in early September.

The U.S. travels to Costa Rica for the first match on Sept. 6 and returns home to face Mexico in Columbus on Sept. 10.

Rimando will certainly be the third-choice goalkeeper behind Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, while Beckerman could find himself in the action in the midfield alongside Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones. Tactical decisions will almost certainly dictate whether Beckerman plays or not, with Jones and Bradley both likely ahead of him in consideration.

With RSL having a break after Friday's match against Portland until Sept. 13's match against Seattle, it would be surprising if the pair missed a match. But should Beckerman feature heavily against Mexico, it would be a surprise to see him start only three days later, with fatigue likely a concern.

Roster

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Puebla)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)