Landon Donovan, Tim Howard to miss US exhibition game at Slovakia

Donovan, Howard missing for US against Slovakia

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan will be among those missing when the United States plays Slovakia in an exhibition game Saturday.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley also bypassed starting goalkeeper Tim Howard of Everton. He selected Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan, Wolverhampton’s Marcus Hahnemann and Valerenga’s Troy Perkins for his 22-man roster Monday. Hahnemann hasn’t made an international appearance since October 2007 against Switzerland.

Three players are from FC Dallas, including forward Jeff Cunningham, who hasn’t played for the national team since a September 2005 World Cup qualifier against Guatemala. The other Dallas players selected were defender Heath Pearce and 22-year-old midfielder Dax McCarty, who has never played for the national team.

Fulham forward Eddie Johnson also was picked. Johnson has 12 goals in 37 international appearances but hasn’t played for the national team since a June 2008 World Cup qualifier against Barbados.

Donovan and the Galaxy host Houston on Friday in the Western Conference final. Chicago is home against Real Salt Lake a day later in the Eastern Conference Championship.

The U.S. team began training for the match Monday. After Saturday’s game, the first between the U.S. and Slovakia, the Americans close their 2009 schedule on Nov. 18 against Denmark in Aarhus. U.S. coach Bob Bradley may make roster changes for that game.

The roster against Slovakia:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Troy Perkins (Valerenga, Norway)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Conor Casey (Colorado), Jeff Cunningham (Dallas, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham).