It appears Nick Rimando will be a gol man in Rio de Janeiro next month…
The 34-year-old half-Mexican American soccer player has been named to the United States’ final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Rimando, currently a goalkeeper for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, was the first-choice keeper at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He’s known for his sometimes unusual technique and for his remarkable reflex saves from short distances.
But Rimando isn’t the only Latino player named to the U.S. squad…
Omar Gonzalez has been named to the roster in the Defenders category.
Last March, the 25-year-oldMexican American soccer star, currently playing for the LA Galaxy in the MLS, was given the start at central defense in the United States’ 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. He was called “the man of the match by a clear margin” by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.
Also making the list: Alejandro Bedoya.
The 27-Colombian American, who plays professionally for French club Nantes as an attacking midfielder or winger, made the list in the Midfielders category.
Bedoya was named to the preliminary 30-man roster for the 2010 World Cup, and played against the Czech Republic in a tune-up friendly, but was cut from the final 23 roster.
Before traveling to Brazil, the Americans will play Azerbaijan on May 27 in San Francisco, Turkey on June 1, in Harrison, New Jersey, and Nigeria on June 7 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Here’s a look at the United States’ final 23-man squad for the World Cup.
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), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)