Ed. note: This is the second in a five-part series on the youth and development tracks of the U.S. 23-man roster. The series will run through Friday and break down how each player got his start.

F Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders

Clint Dempsey

Date of birth: March 9, 1983 (31)
Pre-professional club history: Dallas Texans
YNT history: U20 MNT (2002-2003)
College history: Furman (2001-2003)
First professional appearance: April 17, 2004 (New England Revolution)

Notes: Dempsey was a relatively late discovery, as he did not make an appearance with the U.S. youth national team until 2003 with the U20 MNT. He played 20 minutes in his lone youth World Cup appearance, a 2-0 win over Korea Republic on Dec. 5, 2003. That combined with his collegiate success was enough to land Dempsey a Generation adidas contract for the 2004 MLS Draft. After a successful rookie season with the Revolution, the Texan made his full national team debut against Jamaica in late 2004. Since then, Dempsey has been a mainstay with the team and the face of the squad heading to Brazil, which is his third World Cup. 

MORE: Part 1 of the U.S. 23-man development series | Part 2 of the U.S. 23-man development series

M Mikkel Diskerud, Rosenborg
Date of birth: October 2, 1990 (23)
Pre-professional club: Stabaek
YNT History: Norway U18 (2008), Norway U19 (2008), U.S. U20 (2009), U.S. U23 (2012)
Big break: Thomas Rongen
First professional appearance: May 12, 2008 (Stabaek)

Notes: Diskerud’s big break came fortuitously when former U.S. U20 MNT head coach Thomas Rongen inquired about the midfielder during an international friendly in 2009. After growing up in Norway and featuring with the youth national teams there, Diskerud tested out the waters in the U.S. after Rongen called him into a camp with the U20s three months after that chance encounter. He debuted with the full national team in 2010 and became cap-tied to the U.S. in 2013 during the Gold Cup.

D Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
Date of birth: October 11, 1988 (25)
Pre-professional club: Dallas Texans
YNT History: U.S. U17 (2005), U.S. U18 (2007)
College history: Maryland (2006-2008)
First professional appearance: March 22, 2009 (LA Galaxy)

Notes: Patience is a virtue, and that’s the case for Omar Gonzalez. The towering center back has been in and out of the national team picture over the years. After a success youth career with Dallas Texans, Gonzalez was invited to the Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida and appeared at the 2005 U17 World Cup. Two years later, he was brought into the U18 national team, but that would be the end of the road at the youth level. In 2009, he received his first call up to the full national team for a camp. His first cap came in 2010 against Brazil. Then, he had to wait again. Gonzalez did not became a regular with Klinsmann’s group until 2013, but he has not let go of his spot since then.

Julian Green

M Julian Green, Bayern Munich
Date of birth: June 6, 1995 (19)
Pre-professional club: FC Miesbach, SG Hausham, Bayern Munich
YNT history: Germany U16 (2011), Germany U17 (2011), U.S. U18 MNT (2012), Germany U19 (2013)
Big Moment: Jurgen Klinsmann
First professional appearance: November 27, 2013 (Bayern Munich)

Notes: Green is the latest addition to the German-American contingent on the U.S. national team. He is also the youngest member of the World Cup squad. The talented winger pledged his international commitment to the U.S. earlier this year after a long courtship from head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Green is still waiting for his big moment on the club stage as he has been on the fringes of the Bayern Munich first team over the past year. His first U.S. cap came against Mexico on April 2, 2014. 

GK Brad Guzan, Aston Villa
Date of birth: September 9, 1984 (29)
Pre-professional club: Chicago Magic
YNT history: U.S. U18 MNT (2003)
College history: South Carolina (2003-2004)
First professional appearance: April 2, 2005 (Chivas USA)

Notes: Guzan’s big moment came on March 2, 2005 when assumed Chivas USA starter Martin Zuniga went down with a knee injury. The MLS veteran’s misfortune opened the door for the rookie to start for the expansion side and propelled Guzan into the national spotlight. A year later, Guzan earned his first cap against Guatemala on February 19. He has been Tim Howard’s trusted understudy since then. 

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