In just about 24 hours we could find out the final 23-man roster for the U.S. World Cup team. There are plenty of unanswered questions heading into tonight's friendly vs. the Czech Republic. Answers U.S. coach Bob Bradley is hoping will be found tonight.
While plenty could change with some strong (or weak) performances tonight, I offer up my final projection for the World Cup roster. Here is the final version of SBI's 23 for 2010:
SBI Projected USA World Cup squad
GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan
DEFENDERS– Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein, Heath Pearce
MIDFIELDERS– Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley, Jose Torres, Benny Feilhaber.
FORWARDS– Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching, Herculez Gomez
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Some quick thoughts:
The last cut was Alejandro Bedoya, who was edged out by Heath Pearce. Why? The injury concerns surrounding the defender pool makes it tough to imagine Bob Bradley bringing just seven defenders to South Africa. If he has confidence in his defenders being healthy, then he could definitely bring Bedoya.
Another possibility for Bedoya's inclusion would be if Bradley decides to leave behind one of his many central midfielders. As it stands, this roster has five central midfielders, which Bradley could decide is one too many.
Edson Buddle gets edged out by Gomez, who has had a good camp and is better suited for a super sub role. Tonight's performances by the forwards could definitely shake up the forward selections.
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What do you think of this group? Which selections do you disagree with? Whose name do you like seeing on the roster?
Share your thoughts below.
who are you?
“Of course I’d be upset if Ching draws a foul, because that means he’s in the game.”
That statement made my day. Seriously funny.
But anyway..
CG,
Get it together man. Ching’s days as an international are OVER. Yes, there will always be those who want to pay tribute to him because of the silly caps he earned vs CONCACAF minnows, but that isn’t the correct resume to present when dealing with this WC. He really has nothing to bring to this WC, because experience all of a sudden becomes useless when you can even play at a high level anymore. He may have had something to prove going into the 2006 WC and he was in his prime back then, having won tons of games and scored dozens of goals for Houston.
Truth is, he just isn’t that same player. He can’t help us anymore than the other players that are being considered. And I do watch his games regularly on MLS MatchdayLive. I watch just about all of Houston’s games, though certainly not for him. He was good for finishing off a Brad Davis cross here and there or slotting home a rebound that Scott Garlick let go, but what he did back then doesn’t mean he can be a lock to make the squad now. Take that autographed Brian Ching poster off your wall and put it in the garage. Matter of fact, roll it up and stick it in the attic.
It’s a shame they are not in the finals. While the handball cost them the chance, there is no proof they still would have made it though. There was still extra time or penalties.
I just hate seeing France go – running around with underage prostitutes, cheating to win – just what the world cup needs.
The prostitute thing reminds me of that movie “Taken.” That’s what they were involved in…
Jesus Christ, have some of you people ever watched a game? Played some soccer in your life? Coached? Anything?
There’s a reason why these players who posters keep picking on are professionals, why professional coaches keep picking them, and why professional journalists keep tipping them to get picked – and no, it’s not because there’s a giant conspiracy in US Soccer, or that US Soccer wants the USMNT to crash and burn, or that they have the knowledge of a U-12 youth club, or that they’re all secretly “biased,” whatever the hell that means. It means they just might be right, and a bunch of fools on a message board aren’t.
That’s because JB has done so much wrong since then…
I think that while we wished we had a better LB, we dont and although Bornstein at times makes us cringe, he is our best option he is, has regular playing time, and although he had one of the worse games ever versus Netherlands, he is going to be the guy, remember when BB experimented with M Wynn and Beasley back there…. also i agree with Gomez over Buddle
If that were true, I’m a little fuzzy on the timing, but wouldn’t Adu, Robby Rogers, Ed Gaven and Dan Szetela be there if that were the case?
Anyone seeing Paraguay is getting housed by Ireland? 2-0 at the half. Ireland would have done well in the cup… oh, Henry, you dirty player, you!!!
I haven’t gone through the entire comments, but has anyone noted Grant Wahl’s tweet from earlier today?
In Hartford for USA-Czech. Keep hearing DaMarcus Beasley looks good in camp, though he did turn an ankle in practice yesterday.
about 7 hours ago via web
Wonder how bad his ankle is turned?
Drop
Bryan “Take a Dive” Ching and Eddie “Bling Bling” Johnson.
they are just no good!
Or maybe those two actually know something about the sport that you don’t.
Plus Bob Bradley coach him in Chivas USA the only reason why he likes him. Favoritism shouldn’t be happening especially for the FIFA WORLD CUP!
yes but if in every game it is the same defender giving up the goals/conceding dumb fouls in dangers spots/giving up penalties – that player is benched.
agredd
Edu is experienced enough at CB and skilled enough with the ball at his feet that i would not be worried under the scenario of Edu filling in at CB.
Likewise, while Spector was shaky at LB at the end of the Premier League season for West Ham, at least he has lots of practice dealing with speedy guys like Aaron Lennon or Theo Walcott.
I’ll take that experience over Bornstein any day – JB’s Netherlands display was just pathetic, you began to feel sorry for JB being so outclassed.
Size doesn’t matter, it’s how you use it, right AC?
Let’s not kid ourselves. Defending is not our biggest problem. Our squads have typically been very solid defensively. It’s actually our overly defensive mindset that is our Achilles. We simply don’t have the creativity in the offensive third, the dangerous attack minded players, or the offensive freedom in our overly structured style of play to compete at the highest level in these international tournaments.
One thing is I have not seen Bedoya play enough minutes to see if he has mental lapses. At midfield for the US, you need to be able to defend a bit and do so every time it is called for. Failure to maintain that concentration will permit opponents to overload the defense which will mean bad things for the USA.
Bornstein has shown skills, goal-scoring and 1v1 defending that are all solid. The thing he is missing is concentration for 90+ minutes.
Let’s not pretend J.B. is a weak player, he is really quite solid, but he is not a natural defender, I believe he played forward in college, and Chivas is using him at midfield some of the time now. The USA probably needs a L.B. who will not fall asleep (the only ones with that ability seem to be Boca and Pearce, even though I think neither has the attacking potential of J.B. or Spector in the run of play).
JBo gets the train station on time, but somehow doesn’t catch the train. Watch all his games, but pay attention to the Ruiz goal in the Costa Rica qualifier where JBo lost on a simple give and go. A nothing play turned into a disaster. JBo speed and all the kings horses couldn’t get him back into position to cover his mistake. I could go on all day about how bad he is. He’s only on the team because BB is trying to recreate Michael’s u-17 squad.
try http://www.atdhe.net
+5
THANK YOU
I don’t understand why everyone wants Ching to be in the roster and what scares me is that some people even want him to start. I guess those USA fans want the USA team to lose.
Dempsey, Altidore, Gomez, Buddle should be our 4 Forwards!
Does anyone know where I can watch the game in Montreal? I am on vacation so any help would be appreciated !
For all of those pushing Buddle because he is in such a hot streak of form, you should remember that he didn’t score his last three games with the Galaxy and missed a couple in the scoreless tie with Toronto in the last game. He did a lot other things in those games, including serving in the target role, but I suspect that he may have been cooling off a bit, especially as the marking of him improved. This would be the pattern over his career, with hat tricks mixed in with dry spells. I hate to say that as a Galaxy fan, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the pressure started to catch up with him and it showed during TC.
I did get to watch a training session in Princeton. (Only one!) On that day Gomez looked best among the forwards wh are looking to get in, Buddle and Johnson seemed about equal while Ching and Findley briought up the rear. But there was little difference among the last 4 and a different set of eyes might have seen something different. On that single session, there was not much basis to make a choice.
Oh yeah, one more note: M. Bradley, Dempsey and Edu were the players who I thought pushed the games along Donavon sort of drifted wide and out. Torres and Feilhaber both made some nifty passes.
This board is getting hilarious. People are saying that support Ching by saying he has 10+ int’l goals, but yet they don’t have the courage to list the teams he’s scored against and they’re all at home. They say he hustles, which may be true. But he doesn’t do so in away games, or against A-team squads from any region. He becomes invisible. The world cup is away from home. Then, these people who say experience matters most dismiss Pearce who has played in more games, for more years, and given better performances than Bornstein. They say Borstein is fast and is the best option at LB, when he has no positional sense. 2 penalties out of 3 of his last games against Europeans. Boca doesn’t have speed, but can position himself to prevent the opposition from getting through.
It only goes to show someone really, really, really screwed up in MLS to think that Gomez was a midfielder. The guy is a striker by all equations. So he’s not the “traditional” big target forward. I’m tired of that stereotype being what some coaches think is the only type of striker. It shouldn’t matter your size. If you can score goals in that position, you’re a forward. I hope Gomez gets the nod!
Because it gives the 23 more time to work with each other. Mindset will change after the cutdown.
A lot of countries (Us included in past years) never bring all 30 to camp. They just concentrate on getting a smaller group as ready as possible.
The staff has been following these guys for months and they have been training for 8 days. At some point you gotta make a decision and get on with it.
I hope Findley didn’t kill his chances of going to the world cup by screwing up 2 breakaways vs Houston before camp started. He would be ideal for the US to bring on as a sub in a game where they needed a goal in the last few minutes of a game. He starts a lot for Salt Lake now, but he was always very well suited for a substitute role. He can change a game when he comes in for just a few minutes. He’d probably beat anyone in the World Cup in a 1v1 foot race. Speed kills, so we’d be good bringing speed to the World Cup.
J.B. has the tools to be a very good L.B., if he can avoid mental lapses. Bocanegra is more a pure defender and he is generally smart enough not to get himself in spots where his lack of speed is exposed. I think Bradley will go with the experience when games that count happen. For the Czechs and Turks, J.B. and Peirce will share time to sort out which will get the nod should Boca not be able to go or if he is needed in the middle.
A Good game by J.B might mean Pearce does not go to S.A. and opens up a spot for Bedoya or Buddle.
Pretty much agree with Ives list.
I understand why Beasley is on the list rather than Bedoya, but I would rather see Bedoya there. He has been playing and doing well. Beas has a good stretch in December and January and tha is it.
Regardless, BB will take Beas, he will get in the game and miss a sitter from six yards out.
Don’t compare Ching and the USMNT with Beckham and England, that is a horrible way to respond to my statement.
Of course I’d be upset if Ching draws a foul, because that means he’s in the game.
Ching’s lack of skills have been documented many times on the comments on this site. Yes he has experience, yes he is a good player, and he plays in MLS for a reason, or at least he did.
I have watched him over the years and especially during qualifying. He brings certain things to the table but all of which Altidore can do better in the target forward role. He is old, injured, and everything he did was against CONCACAF opponents.
“According to ussoccer.com he scored four goals in 10 qualifying matches for this World Cup (third on the team). I have no idea how many of Donovan’s or others’ goals came from build-up that included Ching, but I’d guess it’s not insignificant.”
Sounds like you didn’t do enough watching yourself there boss.
The fact that the announcement will be made tomorrow at 1 pm ET shows that Bob pretty much has his mind made minus a couple spots. The first hint will be tonight when he announces his 23 man roster for the game. Any fringe players not on that list are as good as gone.
you are missing the point. Ching is injured and has had a bad year. It has nothing to do with what he HAS done (as to why people don’t want him), but rather, what he CAN do. Right now, I don’t think he can really give anything to us that the other forward options couldn’t. And I think pretty much all of them give something that Ching doesn’t.
Also, Beckham and Ching is a terrible comparison. Beckham brings 3 World Cups worth of experience, a wealth of Euro experience and a right foot that not many have. Ching doesn’t bring the same thing whatsoever. This is actually why I support Onyewu being included while saying Ching does not deserve it. Gooch is irreplaceable in the center for the USMNT. Again, it’s not that he is an aging veteran, it’s just that he doesn’t bring much to the table anymore, in my opinion. at least not for a world cup.
And yes, I know I absolutely watch him play. that’s why I think it is a load of crap that he may not play tonight. He needs to prove he has overcome his injury and isn’t going to be as bad as he has been in MLS this year.
After watching England, I saw:
1) They cant defend a long ball, which is USA soccer’s philosophy. England’s can build up 10 minutes of possesion, only to have a pass intercepted, and an opposing forward one on one with the gk in seconds.
2) Rooney is tired and had little influence aside from when he was unmarked and provided for Crouch’s offisde handball.
3)Defoe brought nothing to the game.
4)Set piece defending is absent, which is good for the USA.
5) England had difficulties when Mexico got physical.
Reading some of these posts gives me the same warm feeling I got when Lalas was signed by that Italian team. Gee, there’s somebody who knows even less about soccer than I do!
If you think player X is “not good enough at the international level,” you have to suggest a different (US) player. Just because a player stinks doesn’t mean you don’t have somebody worse to replace him.
Sorry but those games weren’t big ones. JB did a great job on Messi of all people in Copa America and I don’t see anyone saying that means anything.
If you watch some of the championship games over the past month, you will see that in every game a player will take action that ends up in a penalty/foul. The issue is that these players are taught to act/fake falls, etc. It is that part of the game I dislike. Also, if you go back and watch the game where JB fouled, you will see that Donavan was not helping out at all, and JB was recovering. Still he will learn to not do that.
I have been watching a significant amount of soccer overseas and the similar mistakes that Bornstein has made is similar to the ones the top players in the world make too. You just do not see it.
Let’s start by noting that his last name is Bornstein. Secondly, the other defenders have been hurt, or have not played well. Spector has been playing left D but has done poorly.
maybe you should check the teams that Ching has scored on. His most recent (WC qualifying to present)-2 vs Bardados at home in a 8-0 win. 1 vs Cuba at home in a 6-1 win. 2 vs Trinidad and Tobago at home. 1 against El Salvador and Honduras at home. 1) the world cup is not at home and we are playing far better teams.
2)Harry Redknapp’s missus could score against Barbados
300%!
holy crap man! you didn’t have to write a book.
I don’t understand the insistance of a holding forward style in the first place. Yes, we’ve used it in the past but with different personnel. Altidore will draw enough fouls on his own. The key is to have an athletic player paired with him to stretch the field. In my mind, that is Gomez / Buddle and definitely not Ching.
My biggest hope though is that Davies is sitting in Hartford right now ready to join the team in case of an injury.
I feel you taking just as much as risk with either of them. Beasley has been inconsitent as of late, however, when in form he can be quite an assest on the wing. Bedoya, has a relatively small amount of caps, but still in that limited time we have glimpses of what he can bring to a team. I think it comes down to their performances in camp and in tonights freindly. From what I’ve been hearing Beasley has had a great camp, therefore I would have to be in favor of having him in the final 23. However, I wouldn’t mind having Bedoya along too in place of the eighth defender.
I would drop Torres for Bedoya (more of an attacking option) and Pearce for Buddle or Johnson (depending on how tonight goes). With Edu and Beasley, we have defensive cover – it’s attacking where we’re going to want more options.
Ives, drop Ching, Pearce and bring Edson and Bedoya, Bedoya is a very talented player we could exploit in this WC, he needs some improvement and that improvement can come from playin at the International stage.
Never been impressed with Torres? What about the tackle at the end of the Costa Rica game which won back posession and help lead to the game tying goal. Or the blast off the crossbar versus Holland.
Hey, where’s Cobi Jones? I don’t see him on this list.
Any reason we aren’t giving the 30 guys 2 games in the US and then deciding who to take?
I would take Bedoya over Beasley. I won’t bother responding if anyone starts citing Beasley’s history and experience, because I know very well that they are looking at the highlight reel. When he feels settled, it goes to his head, and he had not put together a complete season since PSV. Bedoya is very solid now, is in good form, and is our future starter on the left hand side.
In my mind, his talent and his temperament deserve it far more.