With the deadline for naming the 18-man roster just a month away, U.S. Olympic coach Peter Nowak and U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley will spend the next few weeks hammering out the roster that will represent the United States in the Summer Olympics.
Who will be on that roster? When you consider that three overage players will be on the team, that leaves just 15 spots for the rest of the Olympic age-eligible players. So what might the 18-man roster look like? Here is the way I see the group shaking out:
Projected USA Olympic Team
GK- Brad Guzan, Chris Seitz
D- Dan Califf, Maurice Edu, Michael Orozco, Nathan Sturgis, Marvell Wynne and Kamani Hill,
M- Freddy Adu, Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan, Danny Szetela, Robbie Rogers, Eddie Gaven and Stuart Holden
F- Brian McBride, Jozy Altidore, Chad Barrett
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A few quick points. So why Dan Califf as the overage defender? Bocanegra and Onyewu will be busy with the national team qualifier against Guatemala, as will Demerit, who will likely be dealing with a transfer move. On the MLS front, does Peter Nowak take someone like Jimmy Conrad away from his MLS team for a month? Califf seems like the best option.
The midfield was a tough call but I think this is the best group. Maurice Edu makes it seven but I think he’ll see action in the back because of the thin options there. No Dax McCarty, who hasn’t been playing regularly with FC Dallas. I’m not sure what Benny Feilhaber’s injury status will be come a month from now so he’s out.
Jozy Altidore is the big question mark at forward. Will he be available or will he decide that staying with his new club, Villarreal, is more important? I say he plays and if he wants to play he will be on the roster.
I know some folks will question the inclusion of Chad Barrett. I personally wouldn’t take him. I would take either Charlie Davies or Robbie Findley, but this 18-man roster is the group I see being selected.
What do you think of this roster? What would you change? Who did I miss? What do you think the team is missing the most? Share your thoughts below.