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Who should the USMNT call up vs. South Africa?

Jozy Altidore (ISIPhotos.com)

The last U.S. national team match of the year will take place in the same country where so many of the year's most memorable matches took place, and chances are the return to South Africa could feature several new faces that didn't make the trip south last summer.

When the United States takes on South Africa on Nov. 17th in Cape Town, Bob Bradley will be calling in a team minus most of his top European players, as well as without the national team players still involved in the MLS playoffs. While we won't see the likes of Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey, we could potentially see the likes of Tim Howard or Michael Bradley in order to prevent the fielding of a complete B team for a match commemorated as the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup.

So what will a team without most of the team's starters look like? Here's a potential lineup:

PROJECTED USA LINEUP vs. SOUTH AFRICA

————–Johnson———-Altidore—————–

Rogers——–Feilhaber——–Bradley———Bedoya

Bornstein—–Onyewu——-Goodson———-Lichaj

————————Howard————————–

 

Tim Howard and Michael Bradley are in the middle of their club seasons, where both are regular starters, but if Bob Bradley wants to field a team that isn't a flat-out B team, I could see these two players being called in for this match. If Howard is left home, then Brad Guzan would get the nod. If Michael Bradley is left behind, we could see Kyle Beckerman in the starting lineup.

Jozy Altidore is seeing playing time at Villarreal, particularly, but given his lack of minutes in La Liga, a call-up for this friendly makes sense.

Something else to consider is the status of Mexican club Pachuca, which is still battling for a place in the Apertura playoffs. If Pachuca is eliminated this weekend you have to wonder whether Bob Bradley would consider calling in Jose Francisco Torres, Herculez Gomez and even Marco Vidal.

If you are looking for some brand new faces, like a Mikkel Diskerud, there is no guarantee that Bob Bradley will call in brand new players into this camp. Diskerud seems destined to take part in the January training camp.

What do you think of the projected lineup? What players would you like to see called in for the match?

Share your thoughts below.

 

Comments

  1. I’m all for trying new and young players in this match. But what many of you are forgetting is you DON’T throw young, inexperienced players into the international arena all alone. You need to include some stable veteran influences into the mix.

    For this reason I’d bring:

    GK: Guzan, Ramondo (leave Hoaward home)

    RB: Lichaj, Spector

    CB: Gooch, Goodson, Cameron, Ream

    LB: Bornstine, Castillo

    RWM: Bedoya, Kljestan (can’t believe I said that)

    CM: Holden, Torres, Edu, Vidal

    LWM: Mix, Beasley

    Striker: Jozy, Braun, Gomez,

    Not the best team we could put out there but one that should be equel to the compitition while also giving some young players experience and without exposing them to a slaughter.

    Reply
  2. Excluding him from the squad is not a slight to him because of his form, but a benefit to his health. I know he is young, fit, etc., but he has played 90 minutes in pretty much every game since the Roman Empire collapsed. Not flying halfway around the world would benefit him in the long run. Personally, I think he is the future of our team and we should build around him. But maybe he should sit this one out and chill at home with some wietbier.

    Reply
  3. I want to see Omar Gonzalas and Kevin Alston in the back. These two are young and have a future with the US. I would also like to see Danny Cruz… I know my picks are young guys but, this would be a perfect opportunity to see what they got at the next level outside of the states.

    Danny Cruz is exciting to watch, he takes on defenders relentlessly all match long and has got the pace to drive them crazy. He played well for Houston this year and I think he will be a good option for the US in the future.

    Reply
  4. this is who i think they should call in

    GKs- Guzan, Cervi

    RB – Lichaj, Spector

    CB – Onyewu, Goodson, Ream, Parkhurst

    LB – Bornstein, Castillo

    RM – Feilhaber, Gaven

    CM – Kljestan, Holden, Bedoya , Torres

    LM – Rogers, Convey (if SJ is out)

    F – Altidore, Gomez, Conor Doyle, Wondo (if SJ is out)

    Reply
  5. I cannot believe Bornstein is even being mentioned. He’s bad to begin with, plus had a crappy season, plus has battled injury. Adios, JB!
    This lineup totally bores me. This game will be a snooze-fest.
    The only thing that would excite me is some youth: Agudelo, Ream, Mix, etc.

    Reply
  6. As funny as it sounds we should consider other players, rather than the usual suspects. I mean…isn’t that the point of having friendlies? For instance, not sure why Jones wouldn’t be considered if MB is. Bornstein!!!????…are you kidding me!? Does Bradley owe this man something???? I am not sure why more MLS players, who are no longer in the playoffs, wouldn’t be considered. For instance: Ryan Smith(good speed and most important great first touch & skill on the ball, something that alot of US players don’t posses), Braun (not a world beater, but has a nose for the goal), tim ream, jeff cameron (as a center back or a utility player), gaven, etc…I keep insisting that Altidore is not the answer, I am tired of the “he is only 21” excuse, why not try Agudelo. This kid for being only 17, has good hustle and great first touch, his positioning awareness is pretty high. Altidore needs competition, he has been fed the hype syrup for such a long time, that he does not feel threaten for his spot on the USMNT roster.

    Reply

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