U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley has chosen his 18-man roster for Sunday’s World Cup qualifying second-leg match against Barbados. Here it is:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA: 1/1 SO), Dominic Cervi (out of contract: 0/0), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake: 0/0)
DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract: 12/1), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland: 1/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 0/0), Drew Moor (FC Dallas: 0/0) Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 8/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 1/0)
MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 15/4), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen: 1/1), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 0/0), Eddie Lewis (Derby County: 18/2), Danny Szetela (Brescia: 0/0), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire: 0/0)
FORWARDS: Freddy Adu (SL Benfica: 1/0), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire: 0/0), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire: 0/0)
So what lineup will Bradley field to "protect" that 8-0 lead from the first leg? Here is a starting XI I could see taking the field:
—————-Rolfe—————–
Lewis———-Adu————Beasley
———Bradley—Kljestan———
Pearce–Bocanegra–Onyewu—Moor
————–Guzan——————–
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Califf or DeMerit played at right back, but since it’s Barbados, and there’s no real threat, giving Moor a run out is a very real possibility (hey, if he can start vs. Mexico then why not? Wait, don’t answer that.) I could also see Danny Szetela getting a look in the lineup. And no, I don’t see Chad Barrett starting, not after Thursday’s showing against Chivas USA, but stranger things have happened.
What lineup do you think Bob Bradley will use? What lineup would you like to see?
Share your thoughts below.
does Rolfe have enough size to play as the lone forward in Bradley’s system?
Barrett
Beasley Adu Kljestan
Bradley Szetela
Pearce Gooch Boca Moor
Guzan
Anyone know what the numbers mean after the players’ names? I get the club name, but the number have me at a loss. I thought it was games played and goals scored, but most of them are 0/0. Any thoughts?
Barrett is the complete polar opposite of quality.
Rolfe
Lewis, Adu, Beasley
Bradley
Szetela
Pearce, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Moor
Guzan
why, oh why would we want to call up players to play Barbados when they have games this weekend?? you people are making no sense…
Barbados < MLS…
Cooper, Edu, Rogers, Buddle, ect.. will see better competition against their repsective MLS opponents…
—-
i agree perhaps some euros who are in their off season, but then again, its freaking barbados… whats the point of taking a chance of seeing these kids get injured… as a fire fan i dont like saying this, but honestly, Thorington, Rolfe and Barrett are there to fill in a roster against a WEAK opponent… none of those three guys will field against quality sides… they simply got picked up b/c they just played and are off on the weekend
I don’t see any reason to play A-team guys like Beasley, Gooch, Boca, or Pearce. Put a full B-team out there and see what they can do.
Throughout the last 3 friendlies and both legs of the qualifiers Bob Bradley has made questionable selections. Terrible choices. It sucks that MLS is calling the shots..I’d at least like to see guys called in that seem to have a bright future rather than Moor, Thorrington, Rolfe, Barrett–of the Fire players I’d rather see Mapp. Hopefully we have a couple of friendlies between this game and the next qualifier in September (I have my schedule right don’t I?).
It is a little disappointing to see Caps awarded to players who do not deserve them. However, from a practical perspective, Bradley has chosen his squad from players who are match fit; those in the prior friendlies and Barbados squads plus MLS players from teams NOT playing this weekend. European based players (not in our prior camps) are on their annual break and would not be fit for a game at this time of year.
I do not believe anything more can be read into a squad for, what is now, a meaningless game against inferior opposition.
Does anyone else think that it doesn’t make sense to include three goalkeepers on an 18-man roster for one game? How often have two goalkeepers ever been injured or otherwise have had to exit a competitive game? It doesn’t leave you with much flexibility for field players.
Given the first leg score, BB had the opportunity to look at more different players. Instead, he’s just placating the MLS coaches by relying largely upon Chicago and Chivas, who played last night. He could have also dangled this game before Subotic and Torres to cap-tie them to the US (in fairness, he may have done this but was turned down).
odsum25 yeah I understand that but what I’m saying lets start giving the u23 or the olympic squad to get some type of experience, Lets start with new young players stop getting guys from the MLS give chances to other players need to find that Striker.
jpc – You think Barrett is quality? Wow, that’s . . . that’s interesting . . .
“I don’t know what is BB thinking like always he doesn’t know what kind of players to call up for the Men National Team. Come on you must be kidding me BB, why John Thorrington, Chad Barrett, Chris Rolfe this three guys didn’t do anything last night, especially Barrett he missed goals that should have been on the net. We Critized Ching and EJ but man this two are worst. Please get new blood from the u23 or u21, What happen to C. Davis, Lee N. unbelievable.!!! Bob Bradley is a good coach for The Concacaf but I don’t think he can coach in a big even not agaist europen team or big Clubs from S. America.Remember what happen against England, Spain or in the Copa America. Please let change the coach NOW THAT WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE…..
Posted by: Angel | June 20, 2008 at 03:43 PM”
Angel, the only reason a lot of these guys were called in is because Chicago played last night and has no game this weekend.
Angel is funny
@jpc yep – the Galxay have a late Saturday game against the resurgent Crew at the HDC. I guess with Donovan back, the Galaxy could have released Buddle. But since Chicago is done for the week, Bradley leaned heavily on hte Fire to fill the squad.
I don’t know what is BB thinking like always he doesn’t know what kind of players to call up for the Men National Team. Come on you must be kidding me BB, why John Thorrington, Chad Barrett, Chris Rolfe this three guys didn’t do anything last night, especially Barrett he missed goals that should have been on the net. We Critized Ching and EJ but man this two are worst. Please get new blood from the u23 or u21, What happen to C. Davis, Lee N. unbelievable.!!! Bob Bradley is a good coach for The Concacaf but I don’t think he can coach in a big even not agaist europen team or big Clubs from S. America.Remember what happen against England, Spain or in the Copa America. Please let change the coach NOW THAT WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE…..
I would’ve liked to see Edson Buddle (even though they have a game I think)… I like the fact that Rolfe and Barret are getting a shot. Barret goes through patches where he couldn’t hit the ocean if he were on the beach, but I think he is quality normally (and from what I’ve seen this year he’s been finishing most of his chances, at least early on in the year)… why not Justin Mapp? youve got half the Fire, and he’s probably the most quality player that deserves a shot on that team.
Would have rather seen young guys with potential rather than . . . Chad Barrett.
And wow, John Thorrington back in the mix after 7 years . . .
Here is what I would like to see:
————Rolfe————-
Szetela——Adu——–Klejstan
——–Lewis—-Thorrington—–
Pearce———————Moor
——–Califf—DeMerit——–
———-Guzan—————–
But here is what is more likely:
——-Adu——-Rolfe——–
Beasley——————-Lewis
—–Bradley—–Klejstan——–
DeMerit——————Pearce
——–Bocanegra—-Onyewu——-
———-Guzan——————
Although I agree, starting Onyewu is probably risky at this stage. I could see DeMerit and/or Califf in for Guch.
My thoughts:
Adu better start.
I’d like to see Chris Seitz start.
Why the hell are Rolfe and especially Barrett on the team? I would take Robbie Findley over them.
No Cooper again? He’s clearly one of our best Forwards.
Nice to see Klejstan on here, hope he starts.
No Drew Moor please.
Nice to see Szetela, hope he plays.
I’m shocked that Hope Solo didn’t get the call up.
Love how people suggest lineups in formations that Bradley has rarely, if ever, used.
Start Seitz as GK
What’s left to say about Barrett. he needs some target practice? Wow, those misses last night, wow…
I’m happy to see Thorrington getting a shot. Didn’t know he was American! He was in great form before his injury. Just looked and he was capped last in 2001.
Let’s go 4-5-1…
———-Guzan————–
Moor-Demerit-Bocanegra-Pearce
—–Thorrington-Szetela—–
——Klejstan-Adu-Lewis—–
————Rolfe————
The best thing I can see is that Barrett keeps making his runs, and has a great midfield to kick the ball off of him and into goal. He scr#ws up so many chances, but at least he keeps getting in position, and occasionally some goes in.
I don’t think he’s good enough, but I have a little sympathy for those who appreciate his hustle after watching the GAM for too long.
Given Onyewu’s tendency to pick up yellow cards at inopportune times and the fact that a second yellow puts him out of the next qualifier; it seems negligent to start him. Give DeMerit a chance to start. I know the Bocanegra-Onyewu bromance is strong, but there are worst things than making a spot in the center back competitive.
I’d go with a 3-5-2:
———-Rolfe———–Barrett———
——————-Adu——————–
—–Lewis———————-Beasley—
——–Bradley———–Kljestan——–
—–Pearce——Bocanegra——Onyewu—-
——————-Guzan——————
Didn’t Boca used to play on the right? I’d play him over there and give both JDM and DC a half at CB.
Besides that, I’d like to see that MF and forwards
How in the world can anyone say last night’s performance by Barrett was a fluke? How many flukes has he already had? How many more flukes does he need to have before people admit what has been clearly obvious for a long, long time? Barrett cannot finish at a professional level, period. What bothers me the most, is that everyone knows this (including Barrett), but he continues to start.
For all the folks who say you don’t need McBride, last night would have been at least 2-2 draw for the Fire if McBride was on the field instead of Barrett.
I’m somewhat surprised that he didn’t call in Orozco and get him capped. Can’t really take issue with the roster though- why should we take players away from their team at a time like this.
Any Fire fan that said that Chad Barrett was going to be vastly better than he was last year was on crack. Sure he scored a few goals early on in the season, but after last night I have just as much respect for him as I do Alan Gordon. I can’t believe this guy is on the national team, regardless of who we’re playing…
agree with brett; why not send out preston zimmerman, lee ngyuen, johan smith, maybe gibbs, jemal johnson, and maybe one or two u18s.
Also like to see caps for klokomo, mvkaper and the the rest of the bloggers on the ESPN site! Bring out the critics and let them play 10-20 minutes!!!
Gooch is carrying a yellow card so i wouldn’t be surprised to se DeMerit or Califf start in place for him
Well, if you ever wanted to see just how shallow out forward pool is, here you go.
Julio, kpugs- theres no need to pull Cooper… he’s got a MLS game and he’ll see more action and competitive soccer at his game then against Barbados…. lets drop this…..
Ryan- finishing may still be an issue, but then again, IT IS BARBADOS…. even having promising talents like Altidore would not benefit by playing them….
so give Barrett his shot, as he’s a canidate for the Olympics (altho a very unlikely canidate)…. he also had his game yesterday… Ive been a defender for Barrett, but OMG after last night’s performance he’ll have to show me that it was a fluke and perform better before i stand up for the guy… that game was horrendous….
Rolfe is a likely pick b/c his game was yesterday and he’s versitile…
BB is keeping in mind that MLS team shouldnt need to be stripped of their best when we dont need em’…..
i would have liked to see some young euro’s get their shot, but oh well…
nothing on this roster truely surprises me
Rocco, I have to believe there’s a sense of humor somewhere in your being. Jeez.
Barrett…it has almost reached the point where I feel sorry for him…especially after listening to my nine year old son mocking him in amazement as we watched last night’s game.
Rocco, great job ruining the subtle sarcastic joke. Congrats.
Chad Barrett is so terrible, how is it he gets called up and Cooper doesn’t?
I wonder when ‘Los is going to sign.
Chad Barrett are you kidding me!?!?!?!
Bradley probably doesn’t want to anger FC Dallas by taking Cooper out for a meaningless game…maybe?
I was going to comment on the friendly thing as well; likewise had the same thought that maybe this should be viewed as a friendly given the tremendous gap between the two sides lol.
In terms of lineup, not certain one can really gauge the performance of a player for the national team with an opponent like this…if anything it may lead to a false sense that a player can make it on the big stage. Perhaps useful from the players perspective in terms of international experience, I don’t know.
I have to say (and this may sound absurd) that I was still disappointed in what I saw as a relatively weak striking force vs Barbados…finishing is still an issue.
Rolfe representin the UD Flyers. Love it.
I’m still confused as to why Cooper isn’t on the roster. I mean, he’s got to be at least as quality as Rolfe or Barrett, right?
Bocanegra was signed today by League 1 FC Rennes… if anyone cares.
Yes I agree matt. What a disaster of a game Barrett had last night vs. Chivas.
I hope Demerit and Califf get minutes. At least they can compare tatoos while waiting for the occasional ball to come their way.
The title says “friendly” – but isn’t this a WC qualifying match…or is it a friendly since we’re already up by 7-8 goals?!
Ives, any thoughts on this Bocanegra move to Stade Rennais?
Chad Barrett? Chad Barrett??? Wasn’t Roy Wegerle available?
chad barrett??? bummer.