Klinsmann includes Lichaj on roster for USA's November frien

[grigor]

For the first time in the Jurgen Klinsmann era, Eric Lichaj has been called up to the U.S. national team.

The Nottingham Forest right back's inclusion highlights the 23-man U.S. roster named Monday for friendlies at Scotland on Nov. 15 and Austria on Nov. 19. The 24-year-old defender, who has eight caps but last played for the national team in the 2011 Gold Cup under Bob Bradley, has emerged as a regular starter this season in the English second tier.

The roster also boasts plenty of established veterans, including Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. Midfielder Michael Bradley will represent the USA for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in early September.

Klinsmann declined to call upon any players whose teams are still alive in the MLS playoffs, keeping Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, and the Houston Dynamo's Brad Davis off the squad.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, defenders Clarence Goodson and Edgar Castillo, and midfielder Landon Donovan were left off the team because of injury concerns.