Top Stories

Bob Bradley picks 22-man roster for Mexico friendly

Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore are among the 22 players Bob Bradley has called in for Wednesday night’s friendly against Mexico in Houston.

Here is the roster:

GOALKEEPERS : Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

DEFENDERS : Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo)

MIDFIELDERS : Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

FORWARDS : Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK)

Comments

  1. I am also a Big Fulham Fan and a Giant Demspey Fan. He is the biggest threat at Fulham right now when playing out of position and that shows what Kind of player he really is. When Johnson/ McBride and Nevalnd get up to speed and Hodgson plays Demps at Attacking Mid Field he will contribute big time towards keeping them in the PL. Dempsey just does not have the speed to play Striker up top by himself against real strong CB’s and Fullbacks unless of course the Mid fieldrs he is playing with are extremely fast and can run onto his knock downs. Cherundolo is hurt and so is Simek but Spector is not and he should have brought him in.

    Howard

    Moor Gooch Parkhurst Boca

    Donovan Adu Bradley Convey

    Dempsey

    Altidore

    Or put Boca in for Parkhurst and Pearce for Boca at LB. Possibly have Donovan up top with Dempsey and Feilhaber at RM.

    Reply
  2. if i sound defensive about Dempsey, I guess I plead “guilty.” Sorry. It’s just that I am a Fulham fan (as pained as it is to admit it), and yes, it’s mostly because of the amount of Americans on the roster … what can i say? I like watching Americans play. So to harp on Dempsey upsets me, because, even though he hasn’t had a superstar season, he’s done quite great for a team that is really quite awful to watch. Fulham have no attacking ability at all, except for Dempsey. Every time I watch Dempsey do something great and get behind a defender, there is NO ONE in a Fulham uniform in sight. He has NO support there. So it’s not all his fault that Fulham are about to be relegated.

    Ok, had to get that off my chest. I am in NO way advocating Dempsey play up front for the US (see earlier posts for evidence), but I want to make it clear that he is still very dangerous.

    Reply
  3. I just wikipediaed Neven Subotic. I had no idea who he was. Very interesting. I dont remember him from last summer’s U20 world cup.

    Ives should add him to the American’s aboard weekend update. I like hard nosed Eastern Europen defenders like Vidic, Slaven Bilik, and Martin Skrtel. Will keep an eye on this kid. Bradley should cap him quickly before Bosina does.

    Reply
  4. Er, usnavysrchief, Dempsey is not a striker, agreed but to say “Dempsey is not a striker and has proven that at Fulham” is a bit extreme. Dempsey is one of their best threats, and has proven that repeatedly at Fulham. I concur he’s not a striker, but he’s got game. Great game. And he’s the only highlight of a terrible, terrible Fulham team.

    Reply
  5. Forgot about Simek!! I hope he would be in the squad if he was healthy, and with no Cherundolo why did he not bring in Spector?????? Drew Moor is not going to make the 2010 roster so why even bring him here??? Useless call up!!!

    Reply
  6. Hello Bob Bradley!!! Where on Earth is Jay Demerit?? J. Spector? Nevin Subotic? Boca/ Gooch need to be challenged at the very least for their spot!!! Good move on Pearce and Feilhaber though!!! Bob did good by them at least. They cannot help if their coaches are jacked up, and maybe Andrew is right when he said that maybe this will wake hem up to the fact that they are Very Good Footballers!!! It is still a sad state of affairs that Donovan is given a spot on the roster every time for absolutely not playing at any kind of level that would deserve a call up. Our lack of strikers will prove our down fall again if we cannot develop any before 2010. Dempsey is not a striker and has proven that at Fulham,and Donovan isn’t either. We are forced into using an 18 year phenom as a striker it’s just sad. We really need to go after Rossi at least then we will have a striker on the roster that will get some respect!!!!

    Reply
  7. This just became a badass game. This roster is loaded.

    Wednesday cannot get here soon enough.

    East Los Angeles will be on fire!!

    Reply
  8. ———– T Ho ————

    Moor — Parky — Boca — Pearce

    ———– Clark ———–

    Dempsey ———— Convey

    ———- Bradley ———-

    —– Donovon — Altidore —-

    Subs:
    Adu»Convey
    Holden»Dempsey
    Feilhaber»Bradley
    ERob»Boca

    Reply
  9. I guess this is what I would go with:

    ——–Altedor———
    Convey—Adu—–Dempsey
    —-Bradley—-Edu——
    Boco-Gooch-Parhurst-Moor
    ——-Howard———–

    Typing Moor’s name is incredibily painful. What are you going to do if Frankie Simek is out for a long time and Dolo got tweaked today. Maybe that kid Wynn should have been called in. This speaks to our lack of depth.

    And yes, this roster doesn’t include that bum from manhatten beach who is the 3rd best player on his bottom table MLS team. His ommisssion is addition by subtraction

    Reply
  10. Or, to go hog wild….

    Adu …….. Altidore …….Dempsey

    Convey ……Bradely ………Donovan

    Parkhurst…Gooch…Boca…Pearce

    Could almost go:

    Corrales….Gooch…Parkhurst….Pearce

    Reply
  11. I am very concerned with the mood I have read in this and other comments sections about our chances against Mexico. We need to come to terms with the fact that Mexico has far far better talent than we do. Our success against them recentently has been exculsively on US soil (please dont bring up Korea 6 years ago).

    This is a team that starts 2 Barcelona starters, one Stugart starter (German champs) and one PSV starter (Dutch champs). We have no where near this sort of developed talent right now in the US. Not to mention Mexico’s U17 world cup winning team is filled with new talent that will cause us pain for years to come. Carlos Vela, that 18 year old kid who is playing very well for Osasuna on loan from Arsenal comes to mind.

    Bottom line is we need to come to terms with where we stand talent wise if we are going to realisticaly build US soccer on an international stage.

    Reply
  12. 1) Why would Clark, Edu,or Adu start over Bradley right now? Are you kidding? Bradley is in the best form of any US international right now.

    2) No Spector is a surprise, especially considering his form and versatility. Bob’s probably trying to make West Ham happy so he can call Spector in for Olympic qualifying. Dulo missing is also a huge question mark.

    3) I figured Bob would give Noonan some time to get settled in Norway, even though the season is still a few months away.

    4) I’m seriously excited about Holden getting called up. Hopefully he gets his first cap.

    What I want to see.

    Dempsey Adu
    Convey Bradley Feilhaer Donovan
    Pearce Gooch Parkhurst Moor
    Howard

    What we probably will see:

    Dempsey Noonan
    Convey Bradley Clark Donovan
    Pearch Boca Gooch Moor
    Howard.

    Reply
  13. My current inclination, to be changed hourly until Wednesday:

    ………….Altidore…………

    ………….Dempsey…………

    Adu………Bradley ………..LD

    …………….Maurice Edu…………….

    Pearce……..Gooch..Boca…….Parkhurst

    Howard

    Reply
  14. Eshad15: seen Chris Rolfe play lately? I guess maybe you should know what you’re talking about before labeling someone “terrible.”

    Personally I was thinking this is a nice little lineup, much stronger than I expected him to pick. Then I saw the name I dreaded.

    NOONAN? AGAIN? REALLY? I personally think Josh Wolff should never have even received a single U.S. cap…and yet I would STILL prefer Wolff over Noonan. At least Wolff, like Twellman, works hard. Noonan is just useless, and ridiculously slow to boot.

    Reply
  15. Let’s hope that the next 12 months are very very good for Eddie Johnson and Jozy Altedor’s development. Looking at our striking options up front for this and every US game is down right terrifying at this point. I have no doubt in my mind that with our current striking options up front we would have 0 chance of getting a world cup finals place if we were in UEFA instead of CONCACAF

    Reply
  16. I personally think this is a terrible lineup, I mean what is Stuart Holden doing there over Rolfe or Mapp for instance. I really hope he adds somebody like Spector as well because we really don’t have anybody at rb other than Moor and thats a bit sketchy. And no offense to any of you Maurice Edu fans out there but I don’t understand what you see in him. He’s made one good pass in the two games I’ve seen him with the national team, granted in led to a goal but still he generally adds nothing to the build up. Ricardo Clark and Feilhaber are better options imo than Edu. It is nice to see that both Altidore and Adu look to be in position to get a chance against Mexico but that seems to be the only good part of this lineup. I mean Corrales, Noonan, Holden, and even Lewis really shouldn’t see the field. I still think the US will find a way to win and everything but I really don’t like the way that he went about choosing this lineup

    Reply
  17. I agree that Bradley is doing great offensively, obviously. But, he is STILL our best option at CDM. I mean, who else would you want there? And that means you have to replace someone else from that position with him (like Dempsey, Edu, Adu, Donovan, whoever). YOu know? And Bradley is a great CDM. Maybe when it’s time to substitute, bring out one of the tired attacking mids, push Bradley forward and put R.Clark behind Bradley. And it’s not like MB can’t go forward a bit when the oppurtunity “strikes.” I mean, ALL of MB’s goals have been just fantastic runs inside the box at the perfect moment to net a goal. He can do the same thing from anywhere on the pitch if he has the inkling.

    Reply
  18. I am very upset about the defenders that were called up. At this point, Steve Cherundolo is the US player most capable of handling world class competition. He should be an automatic in every roster, and should be the permanent captain of the team.

    Our problems at left back could be solved permanently by putting Boconegra there. Watching Fulham play, it is clear he can not handle stopping top flight competition in a central role. He does play better, however, when he is put in at left back and his natural left foot can provide some stability there for the US.

    The central defender roles should be an open competition going into world cup qualifying between Gooch, Parkhurst, Spector, and Jay DeMerrit. The fact that Spector and Demerrit are not on this squad is absolutely tragic.

    The soildifying a lock down back four is the number one priority to make the US a knockround round world cup team. Calling up MLS and low level European hacks like Corrales, Moor, and Eddie Robinson do nothing to help our progress and force us to regress on the international stage.

    Reply
  19. Shai- Agreed, I think when Bradley first started playing for the National team he was best at Defensive middie, but given current form, a more offensive minded position in the center Mid field would suit him well. Against Brazil in Chicago he did a phenomenal job as a defensive middie against KAKA

    Reply
  20. This is wack players that dont see regular playing time with their clubs should be called in to the Nats.(Feilhabier & Pierce) And That D looks kinda suspect no Spector, Dolo, or Demeritt. WTF Bob? Other then that looks pretty good what happend with White?

    Reply
  21. guys, realize bradley has been scoring goals playing at the bottom of the forward triange at Herenveen in the 4-3-3
    in all of the lineups ive seen thus far, you guys have slotted him as a defensive mid..

    Reply
  22. good point, BFBS, Spector could have slipped in there as our right back in this game and is someone I was certain would get a callup, at least considered. He’s been playing and is versatile. It’s not like he played today though. Rode the pine the whole game.

    Reply
  23. Anyone on here going to the game? I live in Denver, but will be there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would love to get together with other supporters

    Reply
  24. Two observations: (1) Drew Moor is our starting right back. (2) No Spector – a guy who has been playing consistent minutes for mid-table West Ham, sometimes as a midfielder and sometimes as a defender.

    Reply
  25. MemRock-
    I agree. Dempsey is probably not a forward. To become a major soccer threat, we need to have at least two “true Strikers”… I think Altidore has potential to become one of these, but who is the other? NOT LD, Not twellman (I think he has had his last chance on the USMNT). I am hopeful that EJ matures in England and I think he can fill that role. Our midfield is very competitive, and I would like to see Bradley, Edu, Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey and ADU all on the field as midfielders, but obviously that would be a problem. Its a refreshing problem that we all of a sudden have such great talent that we are leaving the likes o ADU on the sidelines. Ten years ago we would never have had this problem (delight)!!

    Reply
  26. One lesson I hope we’ve learned is to have good crossers on both the right and left sides of the field. Please don’t let Donovan take any set pieces. If that means giving Brad Davis some minutes, I say do it. He showed he can cross in that Sweden match. I know Convey is pretty good too, but I expect he’ll play.

    Reply
  27. Andrew, a couple posts above you mentioned LD on the right, and I have to totally agree. He was awesome there against Sweden. However, I had no idea what to do if i put him on the right. Who do I put up front with Altidore? Not Dempsey. No, Dempsey needs to be in a play making role. Maybe I could persuade Altidore to be the lone striker with TWO supporting attackers behind him (Adu and Dempsey) like this:
    ———Altidore——
    ——Adu—–Dempsey–
    –Convey———Donovan–
    ———-Bradley——–
    Corrales———Robinson
    —Bocanegra–Parkhurst–
    ———Howard———

    Hmmmmmmmmmm, I kind of like that… hmmm

    Reply
  28. Personally I am rather excited about this roster. I really hope we take it to Mexico, as usual. This is what i want to see (though I am sure will probably not happen):

    —–Altidore—Donovan—–
    ———–Dempsey———-
    –Convey—————Edu–
    ———–Bradley———-
    -Corrales———-Robinson-
    —-Bocanegra–Parkhurst—-
    ———–Howard———–

    At first glance, yes, this is what I want to see. I may change my mind later, but this is what I come up with on the spot. I honestly think Adu will be more effective as a sub, but I think he needs to come in earlier than later, say between the 50th and 60th minutes. I see Ricardo Clark coming on sometime, as well as Guzan sometime.

    Reply
  29. First of all…

    Klaus: i have no idea what drugs you are taking.

    secondly,

    shaj: i really don’t see why adu would start over bradley, especially given bradleys form.

    third,

    this is going to be a damn great game.

    Reply
  30. ………….Dempsey………Altidore

    Convey……….Maurice Edu………..LD

    …………….Bradley…………….

    Parkhurst……..Gooch………….Robinson

    ……………. Boca………………

    Howard

    Subs: Adu for Convey
    Guzan for Howard
    Feilhaber for Edu

    I think this is close as we come to a 2010 WC roster wiht the players we have now. I like DB over Convey when he is healthy

    Reply
  31. Would have liked to seen DeMeritin here though even if he’s still playing with a nagging injury….

    My starting lineup? Who I would like to see out of this roster, at least…

    Option 1:
    F: Altidore, Donovan
    Attacking mid: Dempsey
    RM: Convey
    CM: M. Bradley
    LM: Adu
    LB: Pearce
    CB: Parkhurst
    CB: Onyewu
    RB: Robinson
    GK: Howard

    Subs: Feilhaber, Clark, Boca, Robinson, Edu, Noonan

    Option 2:
    F: Altidore, Dempsey (withdrawn)
    LM: Adu
    CM: Bradley, Edu
    RM: Donovan
    LB: Pearce
    CB: Parkhurst
    CB: Onyewu
    RB: Robinson
    GK: Howard

    Subs: Feilhaber, Clark, Boca, Robinson, Convey, Noonan

    Reply
  32. yay! lets hope he starts adu

    dempsey————————–
    —————–donovan———
    ———–adu——————-
    convey——————-davis—
    ———-clark——————
    back4
    howard

    Second Half: Altidore on for Dempsey

    Bradley on for Adu

    Reply
  33. Hoyanick-
    AGREED!!! Very strong roster, minus a few notables, mainly DB, ? EJ. I hope for our future’s sake that Landon Donovan has found his place at right midfield, and BB is not tempted to put him as a striker. I was down on LD for a long time, but against Sweden, easily the best player on the field. I think he has found his place!

    Reply
  34. Klaus, if this roster doesn’t excite you, then I’m not sure US MNT is the one for you. This is as strong as it gets for American soccer.

    Reply
  35. I thought Eddie Lewis hurt his knee and was out for a month? Anyone know if this is true or why BB would call him in if it was??

    Reply
  36. I hate to say it, but I’m more excited by the new uniforms than this lineup. I believe the U.S. will get the result but outside a couple of Europe-based additions, this roster just fails to dazzle me. I hope by the time Wednesday rolls around, I’ll feel differently.

    Reply
  37. the only real notable name missing to me is Stevie Cherundolo. Who do you all think will play at right back? I’d like to see Boca with someone else other than Gooch here (Parkhurst?). I don’t think Bradley brought Oguchi here to sit, however. I’d like to see Convey, Bradley, Adu, Altidore, Dempsey and Donovan all on the field at the same time.

    this is a strong squad and Bradley and USSF are taking this game seriously, and that’s good.

    Reply
  38. Very solid roster. I like the additions of Adu, Altidore, Convey and Parkhurst.
    Looks like Bob did Feilhaber and Pearce a favor, though. But let’s see what these two kids (still) have.
    Also good to see the big Euro guys in town.

    Reply
  39. I’m glad BB is bringing in Benny. Maybe BB is trying to send a message to Derby that this is a player that deserves some more chances.

    Reply

Leave a Comment