Jozy Altidore looks to build on a solid scoring season with AZ Alkmaar. (jasonwhat/Wikimedia Commons)

Here are some notes regarding the roster to prepare for the big games. One thing to take from this lineup, if nothing else, is that a lot of these players have never played with each other. Chemistry is a huge issue. (In parentheses are number of World Cup Qualifiers played and number of goals).

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa - 5/3 shutouts), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire – 0/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake – 0/0) 

The alarming news that starter Tim Howard has two broken bones in his back is cause for concern, but backup keeper Brad Guzan (West Ham) is just as capable to fill in his big shoes until Howard comes back like Batman. Klinsmann made some smart decisions by naming USMNT favorite and warrior Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) and the young, promising Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) as emergency backups in the case of a Guzan injury. All in all, the men called up to protect the goal are all solid choices.

DEFENDERS (6): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake – 0/0), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City – 0/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City – 6/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – 1/0), Clarence Goodson (Brondby – 5/0), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes – 0/0)

The official released roster has created a fair share of concern across the board for many US fans. With America's preferred fullbacks of Edgar Castillo, Timothy Chandler, Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson out with injuries, Klinsmann chose to call upon inexperienced MLS standouts Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake) and Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes) to fill the void.

The roster also features the complete omission of longtime skipper, Carlos Bocanegra, leaving a consistent leader and key face of US Soccer completely out of the picture heading into camp. This move ensures that it will either be Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy) or Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) manning the heart of the backline alongside Geoff Cameron (Stoke City). Gonzalez and Cameron were paired together in the depressing loss to Honduras in San Pedro Sula nearly a month ago, and it seems the two will be paired again for Costa Rica, as Klinsmann has praised Gonzalez saying, "We believe we have a real special talent coming through the system" immediately after the roster’s release.

However, the lack of experienced fullbacks may force Klinsmann to play the likes of DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla) or Brek Shea (Stoke City) on the outside. He could also bring Maurice Edu (Bursaspor) into the back and push Cameron to the right. Edu played well as a center back in the famous win against Mexico in the Azteca so he may be called upon again, which would allow Cameron to play right back as he often plays for his club.

MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla – 26/6), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake – 2/0), Michael Bradley (Roma – 20/5), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana – 1/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor – 10/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 – 6/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht – 13/0), Brek Shea (Stoke City – 2/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City – 4/0)

The most notable surprise, perhaps for the whole roster, is the inclusion of DaMarcus Beasley. Dedicated USMNT fans are rejoicing after Beasley climbed out of oblivion in Mexico with a string of impressive performances and goals for Puebla to warrant a call-up and a possible chance to resurrect his much-loved and storied US career. The 2012 campaign saw the comeback of striker Eddie Johnson, and 2013 just might be the year for Beasley. His big-game experience will surely come in handy for a US national team entrenched in a much-improved CONCACAF Hexagonal.

Fans will also be happy with the inclusion of Beasley and Shea as recognition by Klinsmann for the need of true wide players. Klinsmann played with a 4-3-3 composed of three big, defensive-minded midfielders for the opening qualifier against Honduras, which Honduras exploited with marauding runs down the U.S. flank that exhausted Timothy Chandler and Fabian. Even if Beasley or Shea don’t get the start, the two can serve as effective half-time subs to bolster a fairly threatening US offensive line.

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – 18/6), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna – 2/0), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur – 27/11), Herculez Gomez (Santos – 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC – 12/10)

Klinsmann has quite possibly named the most impressive forwards for the upcoming qualifiers with five strikers all possessing impressive goal scoring accounts for their respective clubs. Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) will be returning to camp after recording his 25th goal of this season (the most goals scored by any American export), and Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna) is coming in with one of his most impressive seasons in his long career. The only thing left for these established strikers is to open up a consistent scoring account for the national team.

Here is how I think Klinsmann should start the Costa Rica game (Shea and Beasley off the bench). Graphic courtesy of americansoccernow.com:

UPDATE: Midfielder Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo) has been added to the roster. This move adds another converted wide player to the mix and experience to the squad.

It cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is for the US to get results in these two big games. Costa Rica and Mexico are two of the toughest teams in the Hexagonal. If things don’t go well, these games could very well be the last for the already heavily scrutinized Jurgen Klinsmann.

Reach Staff Writer Zaki Khan here.