23 TICKETS TO SOUTH AFRICA, REGISTERING 30 PLAYERS EDITION
Bradley must register 30 players with FIFA tomorrow. From the 30 selected, Bradley will choose his final 23 man roster by June 1. If there is an injury after June 1, Bradley may call in a replacement up to 24 hours before their first match. The replacement does not have to be from the original 30. From the 30 registered tomorrow, 26-28 players will attend a training camp.
Here is the Green Army’s guess at the 30 players Bradley registers.
Goalkeepers (3):
Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton): Veteran keeper had a good year
Tim Howard (Everton): US #1 keeper
Brad Guzan (Aston villa): Solid #2 for the US
Defenders (9):
Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan): Back in full training after injury
Jay DeMerit (Watford): Solid center back, could push Bocanegra to left back
Jonathon Spector (West Ham): The versatile defender should start on the right
Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes): A leader for the US, Could start on the left or in the middle
Clarence Goodson (Start): Third option at center back
Heath Pearce (FC Dallas): His form has improved since returning to MLS
Jonathon Bornstein (Chivas USA): One of Bradley’s guys
Steve Cherundolo (Hanover): Veteran right back
Edgar Castillo (Tigres): Young defender looking to impress on the left
The inclusion of Steve Cherundolo brings a veteran presence on the right side eliminating the need for a guy like Frankie Hejduk. It also opens the door for a younger option like Castillo to step in and get a shot at the final roster. I think Clarence Goodson beat Chad Marshall for the final center back spot. In addition, the resurgence of Maurice Edu means that the US has plenty of cover at the center back position.
Midfielders (11):
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): The US’s best field player
Michael Bradley (Monchengladbach): The work horse and a lock starter
Maurice Edu (Rangers): Returned from injury and in form
Clint Dempsey (Fulham): Versatile goal scoring threat
Ricardo Clark (Frankfurt): Talented but inconsistent
Stuart Holden (Bolton): Back from injury, could get the nod on the right
Jose Torres (Pachuca): Tidy player with great vision and skill
Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro): Creative and dynamic midfielder/forward
Benny Feilhaber (AGF): A possession type player, sets the tempo
DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers): He’s a veteran and gets the benefit of the doubt . . . sigh
Freddy Adu (Aris): Can make a game changing pass or run
Why Freddy Adu over Sacha Kljestan? Basically, I don’t think either will make the final roster so I’m going out on limb to say that Freddy will get a look as that creative difference maker in the midfield. He’s played well at Aris and is more likely than Kljestan to make that game changing pass as a last minute sub. I think both of them get beat out by Alejandro Bedoya for the final roster spot.
Beasley has World Cup experience and that is a huge plus for him. His latest injury spell leaves him on the bubble. Other players on the bubble are Torres, Clark, and Bedoya. I think the forward situation will determine if there is a spot for any of these 3 players.
Forwards (7):
Conor Casey (Rapids): Big target forward
Charlie Davies (Sochaux): Working his way back from injury
Jozy Altidore (Hull): Only real option at the moment
Eddie Johnson (Aris): Getting time at Aris
Brian Ching (Houston): Returning from another injury layoff
Edson Buddle (Galaxy): MLS leading goal scorer
Herculez Gomez (Puebla): In great form, consistent goal scorer in Mexico
The race to replace Charlie Davies might be over if Davies is actually ready to participate in the World Cup. I really hope he is. I don’t think he is the greatest forward to ever wear a US jersey but he is a lot better than other options at the moment. I also think having him on the roster will boost morale.
The only lock in this group is Jozy Altidore. Ching has struggled with injuries and might not be in form. Similarly, Conor Casey isn’t lighting up MLS at the moment, but is still in the mix because he can play as a target forward. Of the inform group, Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez are the fan favorites. It might be too little to late for these two though. There isn’t much time to impress and Bradley might go with safer options. Eddie Johnson is on the fringe in this group, and Robbie Findley’s recent injury might keep him out of this group all together.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Bradley only took Altidore and Davies, leaving the door open for 2 more midfielders to make the roster.
Share your thoughts.
May 10th, 2010 at 11:51 am
I heard an interesting thought a week or two ago. While Brian McBride is retired from international duty, if the US finds itself scraping for someone up front, he’s got the experience to mix in with little effort. He might not be included on the 30, but if an injury occures to one of the forwards or even an attack minded midfielder on the 23 man roster. He should definatly be considered.
As for Beasley, in Germany the US went with a team of experience from Japan/South Korea and look where it got them. As much as I like Beasley from his time with the Fire. There has been minimal production in World Cups. I hope that Coach Bradley isn’t too concerned with experience, they got plenty of that last summer, and goes with the best players.
May 10th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I agree that experience only goes so far. Considering that Bob Bradley has zero World Cup experience, I’d hope he brings in a few guys that have been there.
As far as McBride being considered, I heard similar talk in the past few weeks. Personally, I really hoped our forward pool was beyond a player like Brian McBride. It is a shame that the US still hasn’t surpassed that level of striker.