Dempsey, Howard set for US Cup qualifiers

Tottenham striker Clint Dempsey and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard were among 24 players named by US coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday to the training camp roster for two crucial World Cup qualifiers. The Americans started arriving in Miami on Monday to begin preparations for Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying matches Friday at Antigua and Barbuda and against Guatemala at Kansas City on October 16. Guatemala and the US team are level atop their CONCACAF (North American) qualifying group with seven points and on goal difference and goals scored with Jamaica also on seven points but third on goal difference. Only two of the teams can advance to next year's final regional qualifying round and exactly which will not be known until next week's final matches. "The mentality we are bringing into these two games is to get six points," Klinsmann said. "It's important that the players arriving into Miami prepare themselves for two 'finals'. "We must have urgency within the group and a clear understanding that we need to deliver, which means each player has to bring a 100 percent effort. "All our focus and energy for the next few days will be on getting the right preparation for the team so we can win the next two games." Roma midfielder Michael Bradley returns after missing four weeks with a muscle injury, a span that included two qualifiers against Jamaica. Bradley, Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones, Stoke City midfielder Maurice Edu, Hoffenheim defender Fabian Johnson and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi each carry yellow cards, with another drawing a one-match ban. Zusi and US teammate Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles galaxy are the leading set-up men in Major League Soccer. The US team beat Antigua 3-1 at home and drew 1-1 at Guatemala in the first match in this qualifying round back in June. Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton/ENG), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander/ESP), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana/MEX), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/GER), Maurice Edu (Stoke City/ENG), Clarence Goodson (Brondby/DEN), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/GER), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland/DEN) Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma/ITA), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/GER), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht/BEL), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/GER), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos/MEX), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)