World Cup Soccer: U.S. team bios

Capsules of the 23 players on the U.S. roster for the 2010 World Cup, with position, age, international appearances and club team:

Jozy Altidore, F, 20, 24, Villareal (Spain) — Leading scorer for U.S. in qualifying for World Cup with six goals ... Youngest player in history to score hat trick for the U.S. national team, in 3-0 victory in qualifying against Trinidad and Tobago on April 1, 2009 ... Played on 2008 Olympic team ... Youngest player on squad.

DaMarcus Beasley, M, 28, 91, Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) — Will appear in third World Cup ... Was exiled from national team for nine months for poor play, but responded with strong outings to make 2010 squad ... Has played professionally in the U.S., Netherlands, England and Scotland, is only American to appear in semifinals of Champions League, for PSV Eindhoven in 2005.

Carlos Bocanegra, D, 31, 77, Rennes (France) — Team captain ... Comes off early May sports hernia surgery ... Leader of defense, played in 15 of 18 World Cup qualifiers in this cycle ... Had game-winning goals in Guatemala in semifinal round and against Honduras in final phase ... Two-time MLS Defender of the Year in four seasons with Chicago Fire.

Jonathan Bornstein, D, 25, 29, Chivas USA — Made six starts in World Cup qualifying, including five in final round ... Scored tying goal in waning seconds against Costa Rica for 2-2 draw and first place in final-round qualifying ... Was 2006 top rookie in MLS ... Struggled in friendly against Czech Republic.

Michael Bradley, M, 22, 41, Borussia Moenchengladbach (Germany) — Son of coach Bob Bradley ... Started in 15 of 18 qualifiers in 2010 cycle, scored five goals, including two game-winners ... Was U.S. Soccer's 2007 Young Male Athlete of the Year and then played for 2008 Olympic team.

Edson Buddle, F, 29, 2, Los Angeles Galaxy — Wasn't even considered a candidate for team until scoring spree this year in MLS ... Leads league with nine goals, showed finishing flashes during U.S. training ... Went seven years between appearance for national team before starting in loss to Czech Republic in first U.S. warmup match for World Cup.

Steve Cherundolo, D, 31, 58, Hannover (Germany) — Injuries cost him appearances in 2000 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, but otherwise has been mainstay for national squad ... Will appear in second World Cup, on roster for third time.