US national team, World Cup player profile: Nick Rimando

By Nicholas MendolaJun 2, 2014, 9:10 AM EDT

The darling of Major League Soccer neutrals, Nick Rimando is otherwise an unsung goalkeeper on the international scene. Stuck behind Tim Howard and Brad Guzan on the United States national team depth chart, Rimando has had to “settle” for the glories of club over country. The two-time MLS Cup champion — DC United in 2004 and Real Salt Lake in 2009 — will turn 35 during the tournament, most likely singing his World Cup swan song from the bench.

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Full name: Nicholas Paul Rimando

Age: 34

Hometown: Montclair, California

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 14 caps

Club: Real Salt Lake

Best moment in a U.S. shirt: His run as starter for nearly every game of the 2013 Gold Cup tournament, in which the Yanks reclaimed the title for the first time since 2007 with a 1-0 win over Panama in the final.

Starter or squad player at World Cup? Third-choice keeper.

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Italy 23-man World Cup roster announced

By Kirsten SchlewitzJun 1, 2014, 2:29 PM EDT

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Italy has announced the 23 players that will be on the plane to Brazil. The biggest surprise? Giuseppe Rossi is not included.

The Jersey-born forward made the decision to represent Italy, and would’ve gone to the 2010 World Cup had he not been injured. Now, injury keeps him from Brazil as well – Rossi was spectacular for new side Fiorentina in the first half of the season, but missed the second half, and looked a shadow of his former self when taking on Ireland on Saturday.

Roma forward Mattia Destro also didn’t make the cut, despite scoring 13 goals in 20 appearances. It’s a reminder that Cesare Prandelli places a heavy emphasis on team discipline, and Destro’s decision to punch Davide Astori during a league game probably didn’t sit well with the Italy coach.

Noted bad-boy Mario Balotelli did make the squad, however.

Also left behind are defenders Christian Maggio, Andrea Ranocchia* and Manuel Pasqual and Brazilian-born midfielder Romulo. Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo was ruled out with injury after breaking his leg during the Ireland match.

*Ranocchia will travel with the azzurri, pending fitness of Gabriel Paletta and Andrea Barzagli

Italy 2014 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris St. Germain)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

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Iran names…24-man squad for World Cup

By Kirsten SchlewitzJun 1, 2014, 1:28 PM EDT

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Iran has named the 24 players that will be traveling to the 2014 World Cup. Coach Carlos Queiroz will eliminate one name after receiving a medical report on Hashem Beykzadeh, who was injured in last week’s friendly with Montenegro. However, replacement Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh is likely to travel to Brazil, just in case.

The majority of players will likely not be recognized by those that don’t pay attention to Asian football, but there are a few familiar faces going to Brazil.

Perhaps Iran’s biggest star is Ashkan Dejagah, who represented Germany at various youth levels. The Fulham forward who was one of the Cottagers’ most consistent performers during their dismal season. Carlos Queiroz brought in others from the Iranian diaspora, including California-born Steven Beitashour, now playing for Vancouver Whitecaps.

Try to remember Reza Ghoochannejhad as well – you can call him Gucci. He’s scored nine goals in the eleven matches he’s played for his birth country.

Interestingly enough, for a country that seriously lacks in the attacking department, Quieroz cut three forwards from his 28-man preliminary roster. Mohammad Reza Khalatbari, Mehdi Sharifi and Sardar Azmoun won’t be going to Brazil. Goalkeeper Sousha Makani will also stay at home.

Iran 2014 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha, on loan from Rubin Kazan), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan)

Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven Mehrdad Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir-Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh ((Zob Ahan Isfahan)

Midfielders: Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Haddadifar (Zob Ahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas)

Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton), Karim Ansarifard (Persepolis, on loan to Tractor Sazi)

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Ghana World Cup roster announced

By Kirsten SchlewitzJun 1, 2014, 12:44 PM EDT

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Ghana has named its 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup, and coach Kwesi Appiah has put tournament debutantes on the list.

There are plenty of familiar faces, however. Fans of the USMNT, who were drawn alongside the Black Stars in Group G, remember Asamoah Gyan – and not with fondness. In 2010, the forward scored a goal in extra-time to knock the U.S. out of the World Cup. Others, of course, will remember him for failing to convert the penalty brought on by Luis Suárez’s fateful handball. Gyan is likely hoping that his third trip to the tournament will bring more joy.

Other players who helped get Ghana to the quarterfinals in 2010 include Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah and Michael Essien. André Ayew went to the last Cup as well, but this is brother Jordan Ayew’s first tournament. Older brother Ibrahim Ayew stays behind.

As does defender Jerry Akaminko, who was stretchered off during the friendly with Netherlands on Saturday night. Leicester City defender Jeffrey Schlupp and striker David Accam also failed to make the cut.

Ghana 2014 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Porto), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Rashid Sumaila (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Wakaso Mubarak (Rubin Kazan)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux)

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Croatia announce final 23-man squad for World Cup

By Kirsten SchlewitzJun 1, 2014, 8:30 AM EDT

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The list of finalized World Cup rosters keeps flooding in. On Saturday, following a 2-1 victory over Mali, Croatia announced the 23 players that will travel to Brazil.

Niko Kovac didn’t have too difficult a time making cuts from his preliminary roster – but that’s mostly because the injury crisis plaguing the World Cup is all too apparent in the Croatia squad. Hamburg duo Milan Badelj and Ivo Ilicevic and Ivan Strinic of Dnipro all fell to injury, and the injury Niko Kranjcar picked up in QPR’s promotion playoff will keep him out as well.

Along with those four, Kovac also scratched domestic players Duje Cop and Mario Pasalic, as well as Udinese defender Igor Bubnjic.

Despite the injuries, Croatia are set to be a tough opponent for Cameroon, Mexico, and yes, maybe even Brazil. Luka Modric, who dazzled at Real Madrid this season, will frustrate any opponent. Ivan Rakitic, also playing in La Liga, may be lesser-known but is equally capable of creating danger. And, of course, they have Mario Mandzukic up front – although he’ll miss out on the match with Brazil.

Croatia’s 2014 World Cup Roster

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka), Sammir (Getafe)

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)

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