While the Confederations Cup still has one more game to play, the U.S. national team will begin play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup very soon. Now we know who will be on that roster.
Charlie Davies, Freddy Adu, Kenny Cooper, Steve Cherundolo and Jimmy Conrad are five of the players chosen for the U.S. Gold Cup team, which begins play on July 4th vs. Grenada.
Here is the roster:
GOALKEEPERS– Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (Valarenga), Luis Robles (FC Kaiserslautern)
DEFENDERS– Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaellands), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)
MIDFIELDERS– Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Sam Cronin (Toronto FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS– Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
Surprises? There are plenty.
Charlie Davies is a surprise considering how much he has played in the Confederations Cup, but his inclusion here makes it clear that he has no intention of returning to Hammarby. Veteran defender Jay Heaps has to be considered a surprise, while Jimmy Conrad's return to the national team fold might put to rest some of the conspiracy theories about his lengthy absence. Logan Pause might be a surprise pick for some, but he has quietly enjoyed a very strong season for Chicago.
(So why Heaps? it boils down to this. The team needs a back-up left back to Heath Pearce. How many American left back options are there exactly? Not many.)
Surprising absences? D.C. United rookie Chris Pontius seemed like a good bet to make the squad. Houston winger Brad Davis has enjoyed a good year, but there have long been questions about his work rate on the international level. Jose Francisco Torres seemed like a good bet for this tournament, but you wonder if Pachuca wanted him participating in two tournaments this summer. Houston defender Geoff Cameron, arguably the best defender in MLS right now, is a disappointing exclusion but Houston has Stuart Holden and Brian Ching on the roster so you have to think Bob Bradley didn't want to take three of Houston's best players at the same time.
What might the starting lineup be when the United States takes on Grenada? Here's a possible starting lineup:
—————Ching———–Davies————–
————————-Adu—————————
Rogers—————————————–Holden
———————–Pause—————————
Pearce——Parkhurst—-Conrad——–Cherundolo
———————–Robles————————–
What do you think of the roster? What do you think about this starting lineup? What player's inclusion surprised you the most? Who's absence surprised you the most?
Share your thoughts below.
Glad Jay Heaps is getting a call. I don’t think he’s a threat to stick with the USMNT, but I believe I read he’s logged the most appearances in MLS to not be capped in international play.
Good for him. He played hoops for Duke, too!
Beasley should never step foot on a pitch again!!!!! the man is horrible. where is Frank Simek?
I kind of like the squad in a way. It doesn’t take the Confederations Cup players away for too long, and other than Davies, none of the holdovers have really played for their clubs or in the tournament. I’m glad to see Conrad and Quaranta back in the fold and I’d like to see if Rogers can be a possible winger in the “A” team. Also, I hope Freddy gets the keys to the castle. He hasn’t had many games, but I think taking the senior team on his back will be exciting. Ives, I think you’re right that Pachuca likely doesn’t want Torres for two tournaments. Better to keep him fresh for the rest of the qualifiers and such. Looking forward to the tournament…but not before the Confed Cup Final Sunday! U-S-A! U-S-A!
I think we sent Heaps just in case someone needs to dish out a hit to Carlos Ruiz.
This roster sucks more like a d team than A.
Were going to get smoked.
I can’t believe that Bradley chose that junkie from DC
Cameron and Davis deserve to be there but that would make 5 starters missing for Houston (with Ching/Holden and Hainult for Canada)
Like most of the roster though I was hoping Orozco would ge the call. And maybe Torres but I bet US Soccer had a deal with Pachuca about calling in Torres.
Then there’s Whitbread and maybe Zizzo?
Scott Palguta should be there based on the majority of the other selections
this is why i don’t like Bob Bradley. There is no reason Torres, Whitbread, Zizzo, Zimmerman, Ferrari, Orozco, Feilhaber, Wynne, etc. should not be in this lineup. Makes no sense.
This is a C-B team. I would have like to see Torres in there. Oh well.
Where is Zak Whitbread, Jemal Johnson, Frank Simek, and what about giving Eddie Johnson another chance. Plus when is the Jermain Jones thing gonna be a done deal so he can play?
As a Sounders fan I’m surprised at Evans inclusion. He’s been solid for the Sounders but I do not think ofhim as intl caliber. But perhaps he will grow into one. Here’s hoping.
BRAD EVANS — C’mon You SOunders!!!
Wow, a Santino Quaranta sighting? How long has it been since he’s pulled on a US shirt?
No Torres? Would like to see Jozy too, just to get him some games.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Nate Jaqua on this roster.
Otherwise, I like it.
thanks JK
Well said, Angel.
Im glad many of you appreciate the variables and talents of Mexican-based players.
Im sure that there are man reasons for their absence, but by the same token we shouls acknowledge the inclusion of Luis Robles at goalkeeper.
Since the early years of my supporting the USMNT, my Mexican friends have always told me that the future of US soccer lies with the inclusion of more technical-based players combined with superior athleticism. If we could get the right mix of players and a coach who can mix all those ingredients, we’d be a contender.
Right now, Im high off the Spain win, but am still concerned for these players that I see everyday in my barrio. They deserve a fair chance just like everyone else. If they feel like they are not accepted by US soccer or Bradenton, then Im afraid we’ll see more Rossi like players choose the country of their parents birth rather than make this great country of ours a chance.
Sunil, can you feel me?
No Lee Nguyen?
Seriously..where’s is Orozco? My only explanation is just liek the other posters; the Mexican league is in pre-season mode. Also, he has a new coach that he needs to win over. So, hopefully, those are the reasons.
Didn’t Robles just got married? With all these duties (and accepting them), he better buy a comfy couch.
No John Wolyniec??
To Fire Fans:
Busch is on the roster as emergency keeper. It says in the US Soccer press release that he will stay with the Fire unless injuries or suspensions require him to join the team. So breath more easily knowing we won’t have to rely on Andrew Dykstra.
Im sure the lineup Ives put up would be Bradley’s but based on this roster, i would have this formation:
———Cooper—-Davies——–
———————————
—————Adu—————
———————————
Clarke———————Holden
————Beckerman————
———————————
Pearce—————–Cherundolo
——-CONRAD!!–Parkhurst——-
———————————
————-Perkins————-
few notes:
-Surprisingly, this roster is more deep than i thought
-We have alot of fast and mobile midfielders/forwards
-I have Beckerman as holding mid since he can defend and can shoot from distance
-The hardest for me was Colin Clarke since i do not know how he plays on the international level but his club form is impressive. I also dont have a problem inserting Santino Quaranta in Clarke’s position as well as im sure he played that position a few times with DC United in the past.
-Im a ching fan but with Altidore not playing, i dont see anyone that can complement Ching’s holding ability (Cooper maybe) so i just went for speed and versatility that would complement Adu’s creativity in Cooper and Davies.
-We wont be going against any world class strikers so i have no problem with alot of overlapping runs from Pearce and Cherundolo since i would press the midfielders and forwards to play a high pressure possession style anyways. Anybody that does get through and does take advantage of the space left by either fullback, i trust Conrad to captain the remaining 3 man backline and for them to deal with it.
It is pretty clear that no MLS player that was on the Confederations Cup squad was going to be picked for the Gold Cup. Bradley does not want to take the best players from club teams for 6 weeks. It is also clear that many of the top European players would not be picked because of fatigue. And it is pretty clear from the choices that the only non-MLS players that he chose are those that are looking for either a new job or a better position in the European market. Players like Torres do not need to play in the Gold Cup when they are starters for their club teams. As for the rest of the European-based players, a job with a marginal club in Europe does not automatically mean that you should get the call-up over MLS players.
So that leaves Adu (Benfica trying to transfer him), Pearce (demoted to reserve team at Hansa Rostock), Cherundolo (recovering from season long injury and likely in a position battle), Davies (no way he is staying at Hammarby), and Parkhurst (who is playing in east-BFE Denmark).
As for the MLS players, well, it’s a question of balancing the team out, getting enough backups, and not taking too many players from one team (notice that there are no more than two players taken from one MLS team). Really, the only problems I have here are with Heaps (why bother?) and the exclusion of Pontius.
Japan
This Copa Oro does NOT ensure qualification into the 2013 Confederations Cup. The winner of the 2011 edition of this tourney gets the nod to go to the Confed Cup in 2013. Because of this, the Copa Oro this year is taken less seriously than the one in two years.
The teams in WCQ like ourselves, Mexico, and Honduras are not sending their best squads to next month, but rather some younger players to get them experience. The teams in CONCACAF that are not in WCQ will send their best squad to bring some pride back to their country and try to win the entire thing(Jamaica for example is sending in my eyes is their A team).
However, expect each team in two years to send their best squad so they can get into the Confederations Cup. Hope this helps.
I would like to see a final goodbye for McBride, Mastroeni and Mathis.
Also, I would like to see what Conor Casey could do in a game when he’s not on for 8 minutes to simply hold the ball.
And I would like to have seen a call up given to some of our players who could still play for another national team. We could spare one spot to wrap up someone other then Robles.
I cant even imaging what went on in Bradley’s mind when he decided to exile Torres from the field. But yet, continue to play that mess of a player beasley…
(shakes his head)
This is the exact type of lineup I expected…think about it:
All the Confeds Cup players are already going to miss the start of their clubs’ preseasons…by the time they take their 2-week vacation the start of the season will be right around the corner… the exceptions being Davies and Adu. Davies is playing for a new club/transfer (as Ives mentioned) and Adu is hopefully auditioning for anyone who may be watching.
Jeremiah White’s Club asked that he not be called up. Same with Feilhaber.
Bob has been with the current players for a couple months now. He may know what to expect from Torres, not to mention he’s been away from his club for over a month with no time off (PT or not).
Jones is ineligable until after 2 August (as is Castillo, if he’s even interested).
Marcus Tracy is auditioning for a starting Job and has EUROPA CUP matchs, I believe, in late July.
My only question marks:
Why Ching? Had he not been injured this situation would be reversed between him and Casey
Where’s EJ? He needs a club audition badly. Maybe he’s trying to stick it out in pre-season w/ Fulham
Adu? I wish he would go prove himself in Benfica’s pre-season. Apparently the new manager does want a look at him.
Orozco is the only snub I don’t understand.
I’d go a different route with my disappointment in this roster. Sure I’d like to see Orozco and especially Torres, but I can live without either.
The guys I’d like to see on this roster are Feilheiber, Altidore, and Beasley. Why? Because none of them have been playing regularly, and they can all use this tourney to get in game shape. I would expect Feilheiber & Jozy to be big players in Azteca in Aug, and so they need the time. And while I’ve never been a big Beasley fan, and am pretty sure his best days are behind him – do we really just want to toss him away at this point? Why not play him a few games in a meaningless Gold Cup and see if he can salvage something?? I just don’t get why these three players aren’t on this team…
Yeah Heaps is solid, ppl are overreacting to his selection.
Torres would have been nice. Was really hope to see what he could do with the national team sometime over the summer.
Logan Pause will fit into Bradley’s tactics very well, and he’s probably the best holding mid no one’s heard of. Great to see him get playing time for the MNT.
The roster seems to be underwhelming. I would have liked to see more young players who have the potential to make an impact in 2014 like Marcus Tracy and Sal Zizzo instead of players who probably won’t make an impact at the international level ever. This is a blown opportunity like the 2007 Copa America was
So hopefully noone will mention the new FIFA rule again, Torres has played in a WCQ, and therefore NOT eligible to switch. Please don’t bring it up again. Some of you make my head hurt, I swear. As for the roster, as soon as I saw Jay Heaps listed, I knew Bradley wasn’t really taking this seriously, so neither shall I.
I really hope Pachuca IS the reason Torres is not on this roster…
As a NE fan, Heaps is not a backup to Pierce, he’s better. Maybe Pierce can back Jay up
He’s solid, durable and can really get up for head balls. Nice inclusion
For those who are wondering, Mexican preseason is already underway so the mexican clubs would prefer if their players were present (Torres and Orozco). Iwouldnt be too worried for all those of think Torres is getting snubbed. Alot of players who got called for Confederation Cup arent on the Gold Cup roster.
okay, i do agree with that! Definitely OROZCO. We need a left back to back up bornstein??? why not give orozco another look to compete with pearce. He really really deserves it.
why no altidore it’s not like he’s gonna get lot of playin time at villa?
Would have liked to see the Mexican based players, Vidal and Orozco, and also Padilla and Castillo should have been invited to see where their hearts were (USA or Mexico). Also some young European based talent who we don’t see or hear much from, e.g. Szetela, Zizzo, EJ and Arguez. Nonetheless, Looking forward to seeing what we have for Wing Midfield options (an obvious weakness right now) Rogers, Clark, Davis, and even Holden, who’s more central but an intriguing talent. Lastly please play Kenny Cooper up front with Adu or Cooper together with Ching/Davies and Adu in a supporting role. Cooper and Adu need a serious look for WC roster considerations.
I take it Jermain Jones is ineligible for the Gold Cup? I thought there was an outside chance he would suit up this summer. I can’t wait to see him play for the Nats.
I bought tickets for the Grenda match and am really disapointed. It’s not that I wanted all the big names. Actually, I was hoping for the young guys who will, you know, be part of the top squad in the future. Just a glorified MLS All star squad… if that.
oh, and add jones to the mix. sheesh.
Lets all try to rank the order of starting center mids:
Bradley
(Jones)
Edu
Clark
Feilhaber
Torres
Beckerman
I take it back, Davies is a current in form starter. It will be great to see Ching and Davies pairing because that is a pair we could see next year. We’ll see now if Dolo will be better than Spector. etc. etc. etc. I am wondering why no Torres or Feilhaber, I guess they have solidified their spots already? Didn’t want to play them? And I wish Edu was healed up. My my we have a lot of choices to make in the midfield. Coach Bradley has to weed out a lot of players for the top 4 spots.
Where is Pontius!??!?!?
I really really like the call ins. It will be good to see players that i haven’t seen much in a USMNT jersey lately (or ever) making the case for World Cup 2010. Disapointed not to see Torres, I would like to see him get some starts in the USMNT so he can make the case for himself. That is a disappointment. I hope that the young guns and old returners do well! I’m glad not to see Califf, Kljestan, or Beasley. It looks like their back up spots are up for grabs by the likes of these guys. Seriously too bad about Torres, though I’m willing not to blame the coach, but to blame Pachuca. Bad Pachuca! Bad Bad Pachuca! Torres really needed this opportunity to break into the team, and after this I don’t know when he’ll get another chance before the World Cup!
I really love the fact that there is no hanheman, guzan, or howard. Coach Bradley is really opening up the depth there and giving newbies a shot. I like this move. It will be interesting to see these games without any of the current regular starters, and all of them will be playing 100% for a chance to get to the world cup in 2010. This group could win it.
Where is Torres, I can’t believe BB doesn’t get a better look at this guy, it’s frustrating…
So much goes into selection for non WCQ games. In this case taking into account Euro and Mexican preseasons, injuries (that we might not know about), wishes of club coaches both in MLS and abroad, balancing the pain that MLS teams feel from the scheduling crunch, etc. You can’t read anything into these. Does anyone remember Herculez Gomes playing in the Copa America two years ago (geez – this is much better than that).
I like most of the selctions in the top 11 given the selection circumstances and the back half of the roster can be ignored a bit. None of the older guys have a shot at playing meaningful games in the future and are there because they were available and will provide balance and cover.
It’s pretty obvious that Torres and Orozco were left off the roster so they could join preseason with their Mexican teams to ensure they had the best chance of winning starting jobs.
The players enjoy playing for the US for obvious competitive and presige reasons. But many of them also make a lot more money playing for the US than their MLS contracts (especially for the younger guys.
As a Revs fan, I’m happy for Heaps although he’ll never play for the US again after this tournament. But the team is so injured and crippled, his absence will be huge. They only dressed 5 subs for the game last night – the rest of them are injured.
I think the key to how we are going to play is that we will run out one of the two formations we usually use the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-4-2 with two defensive central midfielders and advanced wings. Only if we do that can we see how these guys will fit in with the A team.
So…
Ching Davies
Adu Holden
Pause Beckman
Pearce Parkhurst Conrad Dolo
do we have to win this gold cup to be in confederation cup 2013? or is there another gold cup in 2 years which decides who goes?
Other than his Joel Osteen mullet, I’ve never seen anything from Clarence Goodson I didn’t like.
I think a back four of Pearce-Conrad and/or Marshall and/or Goodson-Cherundolo will be a tough nut for the CONCACAF teams to crack.
Do we have to win this gold cup to be in confederations cup in 2013? or is there another gold cup in 2 years that decides who goes