Zavagnin replaces Mastroeni on U.S. roster vs. Brazil

Sep 7, 2007, 1:58 GMT

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin has been called in by U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley as a roster replacement for Colorado Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni for Sunday's friendly against FIFA's No. 1 ranked Brazil at Soldier Field in Chicago.

According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, Mastroeni, who became ill during Colorado's Major League Soccer game at Columbus on Sunday, is still recovering from that ailment.

Zavagnin has appeared 21 times for the MNT, including being an alternate for the 2006 World Cup team. The 33-year-old last played for the U.S. in a 4-1 loss to Germany on March 22 of last year in Dortmund.

'I'm really happy that Kerry has been called back to the national team,' Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said. 'We had a good relationship when I was an assistant with the national team. Kerry Zavagnin has always competed at the highest level for both club and country.'

Zavagnin is having a productive season in MLS, starting each of the Wizards 24 games thus far and playing all but 45 minutes. He has already recorded a career high three goals and added one assist while organizing the Wizards midfield on a game-by-game basis.

'Obviously, I'm thrilled to be back in U.S. national team camp,' Zavagnin said. 'I will work hard in training and will be ready if called upon on Sunday.'

Zavagnin joins Wizards' teammates Eddie Johnson and Davy Arnaud on the U.S. squad. Kansas City is the only team represented by three players on the roster, largely because it is off this weekend. All three players will return to Kansas City next week for training following the game Sunday and will be available for the Wizards Sept. 15 match against the Columbus Crew at Arrowhead Stadium.

The following is the U.S. roster for Sunday's match against Brazil by position:

Goalkeepers (2): Tim Howard (Everton FC), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United).

Midfielders (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards).

Forwards (4): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich).

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