Position: Defender
Born: 12.02.77
Club: Kansas City

The current MLS Defender of the Year, Jimmy Conrad's presence in the final squad is something of a surprise given the omission of Gregg Berhalter.

But the veteran did himself no favours with a poor performance in the friendly against Germany, and Bruce Arena has never been shy of tough decisions.

Something of a late developer - Conrad had to wait until past his 22nd birthday before playing top-flight football - his form for the San Diego Flash in the A-League earned him a move to the MLS with San Jose Earthquakes.

He has since moved on to Kansas City where a string of hugely consistent and impressive performances have seen him twice named in the MLS' Team of the Year and led to his international debut against Cuba in July last year.

Yet despite his efforts for his franchise, Conrad looks likely to be primarily a substitute in Germany.

However Arena has been at pains to point out his strengths in "creating a good environment" in the squad.