Mix Diskerud

10. Mix Diskerud Midfielder | Club: Rosenborg (Norway) Diskerud quickly became a cult favorite among U.S. fans because of his long hair and quirky

Liviu Bird|

Mix Diskerud

10. Mix Diskerud

Midfielder | Club: Rosenborg (Norway)

Age	Hometown	Height	Weight	Goals	Caps
23	Oslo, Norway	6-0	150	3	19

Diskerud quickly became a cult favorite among U.S. fans because of his long hair and quirky personality. He also took over Landon Donovan’s No. 10 jersey for the 2014 World Cup despite being generally used as a midfield spark off the bench under Klinsmann. A couple goals in that role have justified his inclusion on the roster for just such a need.

OUTLOOK: As he has been, Diskerud must be prepared to play a reserve role and change the game when he gets his opportunity. Players on the bench are told to make an impression on the match, and Diskerud has done that nearly every time Klinsmann asks that of him. His laid-back demeanor also helps take the edge off pressure situations.

Meet the 23: Complete roster breakdown

Published Jun 2, 2014 | Modified Jun 2, 2014

LIVIU BIRD

Liviu Bird is a soccer analyst with more than 20 years of experience in the game. He learned how to play in the streets of Romania before moving to the soccer wilderness of Fairbanks, Alaska, escaping to play collegiately as a goalkeeper at Highline Community College and Seattle Pacific University, where he also earned his B.A. in journalism. Bird played semiprofessionally and had tryouts at professional clubs but hung up his gloves in 2012 to focus on writing and coaching at the youth and collegiate levels. He joined Sports Illustrated in March 2013 as a freelance contributor and has also written for NBC Sports, Soccer Wire, The New York Times, American Soccer Now and the Telegraph (UK).

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