USA Roster For World Cup Qualifiers Includes Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Not Donovan

The United States is gearing up for two key World Cup qualifiers versus Jamaica, but they will have to take on the Reggaeboyz without Landon Donovan. The Redlands native and LA Galaxy star injured his hamstring in the Americans' win over Mexico on August 15 and hasn't played for the Galaxy since. Now that injury will keep him out of the U.S. qualifiers.

Several other Southern Californians did make the team, most notably U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra. The center back from Alta Loma and UCLA alum is expected to start in defense for the team and once again wear the armband, while San Diego native Steve Cherundolo is on the team and should start at right back. Fontana native Maurice Edu is also on the team, albeit as a defender as opposed to his more natural midfield position.

Two other local players who are not expected to start and may not play also made the roster. Nick Rimando, a UCLA alum from Montclair, makes the team is a backup goalkeeper, while the pride of Orange, Michael Orozco Fiscal, is on the team after scoring the winning goal for the U.S. against Mexico last month.

A couple former Galaxy and Chivas USA players also made the squad. Herculez Gomez, who now plays for Santos Laguna in Mexico, but spent five years with the Galaxy is one of the forwards called into the team. Brad Guzan, a Chivas draftee who spent four years with the team before going to Aston Villa in England, also made the team as one of four goalkeepers called in.

The U.S. will take on Jamaica in Kingston on September 7, then return home to host the Reggaeboyz on September 11 in Columubs, Ohio. The Americans and Jamaicans are currently tied atop Group A in the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The top two teams will advance to the final round of qualifying, which will be played in 2013.

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

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Jermaine Jones(Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur),Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna)