Brazil announces new coach, no-name squad set to take on U.S. Aug. 10

As a public service announcement, Shimer and I have been charging our batteries since the 2010 World Cup ended but we'll be back in full force over the next few weeks as we get ready for the European leagues to start up in mid to late August.

Brazil named a replacement for Dunga on Saturday, Mano Menezes. Today, the newly appointed coach named the 24-man roster he'll take with him to the New Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. to take on the U.S. August 10th.

For international soccer as a whole, there won't be many more fascinating story lines than how Brazil (the team) prepares itself for the 2014 World Cup on its home soil. As we all know, they are the most famous team in soccer but they have bowed out in the quarterfinals during the last two World Cups. The pressure on Menezes (assuming he lasts that long) and his team will be immense as the Samba Boys try to get back to the top of the mountain.

"There are several ways of winning and I respect all of them," Menezes said. "I will try to choose the way that gives us the best chance of winning. If that can be done with the 'beautiful game' that everyone likes, it would be the best. We will try to get as close as possible to that."

Only four of the players picked were on Brazil's 23-man World Cup roster: Barcelona defender Daniel Alves, Benfica midfielder Ramires, AC Milan defender Thiago Silva and Santos forward Robinho, who is on loan from Manchester City.

Eleven players were summoned for the first time, and seven young enough to play in the 2012 Olympic under-23 tournament, a competition Brazil has never won.

Kaka, Luis Fabiano and goalkeeper Julio Cesar were not selected.

"It's the beginning of a renovation, with the goal being the 2014 World Cup and the (2012) London Olympics," Menezes said.

He accepted the Brazil job on Saturday, a day after Fluminense would not release Muricy Ramalho from his contract.

Menezes replaced Dunga, fired after Brazil's 2-1 loss to Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals.

"It's always difficult when Brazil loses, especially because we tend to think we are better than everybody else," Menezes said. "In the last two World Cup we were not, and we need to regain this form again. We still have the technical quality to do it."

Dunga's team achieved significant results ahead of the World Cup, but his defense-oriented tactics failed to gain his nation's sixth world title.

"Dunga's team was disciplined tactically and that was positive," Menezes said. "That's what I want for Brazil, to be well-organized tactically. Because with the talented players that we have, we will always have the capacity to win."

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Renan (Avai), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), David Luiz (Benfica, Portugal), Henrique (Racing Santander, Spain), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Rafael da Silva (Manchester United, England), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Italy)

Midfielders: Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim, Germany), Ederson (Lyon, France), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool, England), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Ramires (Benfica, Portugal), Sandro (Internacional)

Forwards: Andre (Santos), Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Robinho (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro)