England Names Roster for Kickoff Series Match Against USA

D.C. United striker Wayne Rooney will join 16 players from England World Cup roster in send-off match against USA on Nov. 15 at Wembley Stadium (3 p.m. ET; ESPN2, UniMas).
By: Jeff Crandall

With the U.S. Men’s National Team set to begin gathering Sunday in London for the conclusion of the Kickoff Series, today England announced a star-studded squad for the Wayne Rooney Foundation International on Nov. 15 at Wembley Stadium.

Like MNT head coach Dave Sarachan, England manager Gareth Southgate is bringing an expanded 28-player roster for their friendly with the USA and UEFA Nations League match against Croatia. Just like previous Kickoff Series opponents, the Three Lions will present the MNT with a stern challenge, selecting 16 players from the squad that reached the Semifinals at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Team captain and 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) leads a group of attackers that includes Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) and Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

Through the rest of the team Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Dele Ali (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) and Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) feature in midfield, Kieran Trippie (Tottenham Hotspur) and John Stones (Manchester City) lead the back line, while World Cup standout Jordan Pickford (Everton) is one of four goalkeepers.

Adding even more spice, D.C. United striker Wayne Rooney is coming out of retirement from international soccer to make a final appearance at home for England. The honoring of the three-time World Cup veteran and England’s all-time leading goalscorer will raise awareness for the Wayne Rooney Foundation.  

Meanwhile, MNT attacker Christian Pulisic will have the opportunity to face off with Jadon Sancho, his teammate at Borussia Dortmund. The 18-year-old is the sole player on the roster based outside of England.

See the full England roster below (2018 World Cup players):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham; 0/0), Jack Butland (Stoke City; 9/0), Alex McCarthy (Southampton; 0/0), Jordan Pickford (Everton; 13/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool; 4/0), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City; 3/0), Lewis Dunk (Brighton; 0/0), Joe Gomez (Liverpool; 5/0), Michael Keane (Everton; 4/0), Luke Shaw (Manchester United; 8/0), John Stones (Manchester City; 36/2), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur (16/1), Kyle Walker (Manchester City; 43/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Ross Barkley (Chelsea; 24/2), Dele Ali (Tottenham Hotspur; 31/3), Fabian Delph (Manchester City; 16/0), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur; 36/3), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool; 47/0), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United; 20/2), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea; 9/0), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur; 2/0)

FORWARDS (7): Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur; 34/19), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United; 29/6), Wayne Rooney* (D.C. United; 119/53), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 1/0), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City; 46/4), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal; 42/16), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth; 0/0)

*In the squad for England-USA only