Hertha Berlin central defender John Anthony Brooks, long-watched as a potential German-born U.S. international, is set to start the United States’ friendly today in Sarajevo. Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 20-year-old Berlin-born defender got the call next to Stoke City’s Geoff Cameron in Jurgen Kilnsmann’s starting XI.
According to ESPN, Brooks will become the 61st different player to play since Klinsmann took over the U.S. national team two years ago.
Because today’s match is a friendly, the appearance does not permanently commit Brooks to the United States. But unlike Johansson and many foreign-born players who have recently committed for the U.S., Brooks has played at U-levels for the U.S., appearing for both the U-20 and U-23 national teams.
Jóhansson starts today’s game on Klinsmann’s bench, with Jozy Altidore set to start as the U.S.’s only outright forward. Along with 1860 Munich’s Bobby Wood, the former Icelandic youth international could get his first senior cap for the U.S. tonight.
The U.S.’s full starting lineup:
G: Tim Howard
LB: Fabian Johnson
CB: John Anthony Brooks
CB: Geoff Cameron
RB: Brad Evans
M: Michael Bradley
M: Jermaine Jones
AM: Eddie Johnson
AM: Mikkel Diskerud
AM: Alejandro Bedoya
F: Jozy Altidore
