U.S. men’s national team coach Bob Bradley has named a 23-man roster ahead of the team’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Cuba.
Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore, Monaco midfielder Freddy Adu and Brescia midfielder Danny Szetela are among several young players called by by Bradley for the game against Cuba, set for Saturday, Oct. 11 at RFK Stadium (ESPN Classic, Galavision).
Perhaps the biggest news in this roster call-up is the inclusion of Pachuca midfielder Jose Francisco Torres, who is eligible to play for Mexico and the United States, but looks ready to commit to the United States.
Here is the full squad:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 6/5 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 17/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 11/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 5/0
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 1/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 19/4), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach: 5/2), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 3/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 0/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 0/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 9/4), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 11/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 24/8)
What do you think of the roster? Like seeing so many young players? Happy to see Torres called up? Even happier to see Eddie Johnson left off? Surprised to see Kenny Cooper missing again? Anxious to see if Altidore and Adu will see major minutes against the Cubans?
I will offer a closer look at this roster later on today. For now. share your thoughts on the roster below.
Tom P- i couldnt begin to tell you how many people have gone to europe and failed… yet came through and became quality players… just b/c he didnt succeed in Netherlands, doesnt mean that he’s not quality..
Rogers has done well with the U20’s, and now a stand out in the MLS… any focusing on the past is simply foolish
The bad news: No Kenny Cooper
The good news: I can still bring my sign to the game saying “End the embargo…on Frankencooper!”
sorry-JMAC not GMAC.
Good point GMAC- he-Rogers- couldn’t get time in Holland either and basically was released from the Heerenven.
I think the MLS favors his one outstanding quality-speed- because it has a bunch of slow defenders and that is a major part of his current sucess.
I think he has found his level for now.
If we’re doing lineups, this is what I wouldn’t mind seeing to start the game:
——–Altidore—Donovan——-
Torres———Adu——–Dempsey
—————Edu—————
Beasley–Boca—Gooch—Cherundolo
————-Guzan—————
At half, bring Kljestan in for Dempsey and Davies in for Donovan.
jmac – by that logic, we should also dismiss the people who think Beasley and donovan a quality players who deserve a look merely due to their poor performance in WC 2006 :-/
BJR- oh yes, my keyboard is broken… i spilt some coke on it not to long ago and it just so happens only effects the the period and question marks…. dont you find that weird???
Einar, you must be from California. You probably hate Kobe and Ronaldinho too. It’s the gas fumes combined with drugs.
A.S- while LD’s and Galaxy’s playoff stance is near dead, i think BB’s inclusion of him is more on the lines to assure a victory or at least open up a threatening player….
Ives, would love to see you do an in depth article on Orozco and Torres. Really interested to get their perspective of the dual culture they’re accustomed too – how it played a role in desire to be professional players – and how they came to choose the US team. Also – whether or not their club fan bases will have a negative reaction for playing for the Yanks.
I haven’t seen much of Torres play, but folks, remember that Pachuca is no joke and has been probably the strongest Mexican club over the past decade. It’s meaningful that he is starting for them, more so for me than hearing about our guys in Norway or Sweden (no offense Mr. Perkins and Mr. Davies).
Why are so many people high on Robbie Rogers? He was not that impressive in the Olympics.
Why does Bradley hate Cooper so much? He and Altidore should get more playing time together. My preferred lineup for Cuba would be this…
——–Cooper—Altidore——-
———–Donovan————–
Beasley——————-Dempsey
———–Bradley—————
Pearce–Boca—Gooch—Cherundolo
———–Howard—————
are we ever going to see Conrad get called in again? I can’t believe that Califf and Demerit are getting called in before him. Let alone he should be starting. He had better WC appearances than both Bocanegra and Onyewu. You can’t use age as an excuse since Bradley is still calling in Hejduk
Henry – I don’t think you’re harping on the Hispanic issue at all. I think this is the biggest news around US Soccer for a long time.
Adu/Altidore and Davies were bound to be called up by Bradley at some point. Its one camp later than Klestan who came after the Edu/Bradley inclusions. That progression is happening. I’d expect to see Wynne and Cooper (maybe)in January.
But I can only assume that Orozco and Torres being included is a huuuuge opportunity for Hispanics to feel an even deeper national pride around the US team.
I’m a big US Nats supporter – but I tell ya, that if there was an Indian American (which I identify with)who played on the squad – I would be doing back flips with even more pride. I’m hoping some of the young guys get some time during the game at RFK!!!
I’m one of the few (at least on this site) Bradley supporters. He’s done a great job – not prefect but very good job – manageing the team. I would have jump onto the whiny bandwagon if a roster ike this didn’t turn up this time. It bolsters my opinion of him. I’m excited to watch the game.
One from Altidore, Davies and Cooper was always going to be left off this team. All 3 deserve looks but none of them have proved they can bring what Ching brings. He’s the most physical forward we have right now. He has to be included. Donavan is Donavan and Dempsey seems to be the only one capable of scoring in the run of play as of late. I would also take an on fire Davies and give Altidore – who is clearly the future – more experience over Cooper at this moment.
YESSS!!!! Great squad. Great choices, but the best news by far is Torres. Any player who can start in the middle for Pachuca, arguably one of the best clubs in the America’s over the last couple of years, has got to have talent. I’ve only seen him play briefly, but he looks like he’s very technical, an area where the US midfield needs improvement. Bob, please, please, please cap him.
As for Cooper, I think it may be just a matter of numbers; Bob can’t play everyone, and needs to still have a solid core of veterans, so maybe Cooper just got left out in this round. I think we’ll see him get a callup soon…
Ives, did Cooper kick BB’s dog or something? What gives?
This is his best roster selection in a long time. It actually generally reflects players who are “in form.” I know Cooper is in the hunt for a playoff spot in MLS, but right now I’d take him over Dempsey or Ching.
I think we should look at other options at d-mid. I think Kyle Beckerman should get more of a shot. He is a solid defender, plus he is good at picking his spots and being creative coming forward. He is a better passer than Clark and Edu, who seem to be getting the nods instead of him.
Excited to see Torres play for the US, I think Pachuca is the most exciting Mexican Club team to watch. Their midfield works really well together, and their counter attacks are lighting fast.
Not to harp on the Hispanic issue but I think the inclusion of Torres and Orozco is a very good thing, who knows maybe more hispanics will coming out and support our team a little more instead of out numbering us at Home and rooting for the other guys. I certainly is going to change perceptions of the lack of Hispanics on the team. Glad to see these two make it. I’ll keep my ears to the Hispanic news outlets and see what they say.
Thanks for the reassurance, Brett. I feel much better already.
Just curious, is you keyboard broken? Specifically your period and question marks keys.
Why Donovan??? I’m not a Galaxy fan, but the inclusion of Landon on the qualifier roster absolutely kills that team. Landon should be left home (and Beckham should stay home in LA also).
I’m looking forward to seeing Torres play, which he should in the second game. I want to see more Mexican-Americans on the USMNT, we have such a huge potential talent pool within this country with that demographic and to see us take advantage of it now is heartening, not only for those of us who saw this as a deficiency but with Mexican-Americans who never saw the USMNT as an opportunity for them. Overall I like this team.
Quit apologizing for Cooper, people. BB did not call him b/c he believes Cooper to be a tweener, a big guy that cant play as a target forward nor head the ball particularly well but that doesn’t have the pace, particularly to be a forward at the internationally level. He didn’t impress BB at the last camp. It has nothing to do with FC Dallas needing him to qualify for MLS playoffs.
Congrats to Torres! Great, great news. Torres and Orozco are blazing new ground which will only help the Nats in the long term.
Really like the youth infusion. Also think its important for the new additions to see and interact with some of the regulars in camp to see the intensity of training (I can only assume its intense) and follow the leadership of the team etc.
I’ll be at the game in DC – really really looking forward to it.
fantastic roster. i bet this looks similar to the roster we will bring to South Africa
This is very exciting, particularly the Torres news. Anyone see him play, yet? The brief reports I’ve read depict him as a very skilled possession player who’s an excellent passer. That would certainly be a nice quality to add to our roster. We desperately need players like that in our midfield if we’re going to have a chance against European teams. He’s only 20 and starting for Pachuca? That’s a good sign. He also adds depth at left wing behind the oft-injured Beasley, which is vitally important, as well. Can this kid be a #10 player beside Bradley in the midfield?
Also interested in seeing Davies. I’ve seen him play very badly, and I’ve seen him play very well. Let’s hope he’s developed as much as some reports have claimed.
And, of course, Adu and Altidore – the two most important field players for our program. I always like to see them get action.
No Cooper, but you can’t expect to kick the coach’s dog and still get pt.
Kudos, Bob, I take most of it back.
cometopapa–
Are you serious? That’s not zany–that’s just ridiculous. What does that type of roster accomplish? It’s like you made your roster for a video game. I am not trying to be down on you, but that post came out of nowhere.
Sometimes, the reason players don’t play, or don’t play in particular positions, is because they are not very good (or become ineffective when played in those positions.) For example, why would you put Bradley in at right back? I think Cherundolo is a more-than-serviceable right back. That, aside from the fact that Bradley simply does not have the speed or discipline to handle attacking players on the wings. You thought he got yellow cards BEFORE…
And, Edu as center back? He played that position (adequately, at best) for the U-23’s because there were no other options. Why in the WORLD would you put him in that position when Bocanegra is having a personal-best year (yes, my opinion) and is the captain of the team?
Torres is 5’5″, 134 lbs. Beasley is bigger then he is. Just because he was brought into camp does not mean that he is the next American wunderkind.
I guess I have problems with almost your entire starting XI. You missed one, though–how about Quentin Westberg as the keeper? I mean, he hasn’t played more than 10 competitive games in the past year. BUT, he plays in Europe (ok, he is on a TEAM in Europe), and we have never seen him with the senior MNT–so he must be better than what we have.
Rant completed.
I love how the regulars such as Dempsey, Beasley, and Ching are now going to see the talents of those like Altidore, Torres and Davies in training. I bet they run circles around them, but Bradley will probably still use his regulars against Cuba and then let out the wolves against T+T. It looks like this could be the start of the transition into a new era for US players.
uggg, people think about this….
what with BB bringing up Jozy, Adu and Daviess, do we really need to have another player who will be there to prove something??
Cooper is in the middle of getting his team into the playoffs… he’ll get his chances soon enough…. but right now we have loads of people who are out to prove something and he’d either see limited time or no time…. but as a manager, BB obviously has his sights on Cooper as any good manager would…
Ives,
If you get the chance, could you ask Bradley directly why Cooper has been excluded?
Much appreciated!
It’s encouraging to see the players he called up. Still, he could end up starting:
———Dempsey——-Ching——–
—Beasley—Bradley—Edu—Donovan—
–Pearce–Oneywu–Bocanegra–Cherundolo–
——————Howard—————–
Which is basically what we’ve been seeing, so I’m not getting my hopes up as far as playing time just yet.
I guess EJ ran out of excuses, or BB ran out of patience. To paraphrase what Gerald Ford said after Nixon resigned, “Our long national [team] nightmare is over.”
This is a fascinating roster. I can’t wait to see what they can do. BB’s critics have gotten 80-90% of what they were demanding. And Torres, who had rebuffed entreaties from Mexico, could be a difference-maker.
Where’s COOPER?!?!?!?!
He has 16 goals on team where he’s surrounded by amateurs. Really like to see what he can do with some better support.
Super psyched since I will be in the building to watch!!! You have Landon and Clint listed at forward but wouldn’t they drop back to Midfield given the limited conditioning and playing time of some of the players you’ve listed there?
Randy Capps- so why then Donovan and Sacha Kljestan ?
There teams are fighting for a playoff berth and the Galaxy are in worse shape then Dallas.
Good move on Davies. I would leave Adu in Europe for now. He needs to figure a way to get off the bench.
Disappointed that Robbie Rogers did not get a call up. My God, he and GBS are leading the Crew to the best season ever. Its time BB showed him some love (and Marshall):
http://crewonespot.blogspot.com/2008/09/keys-to-victory-against-nyrb.html
also, Kenny Cooper might not be there because Dallas needs him to qualify for the playoffs.
It’s rosters like this that give me hope for the Bradley era.
Still no Kenny Cooper, but at last we have some interesting and exciting prospects we can look forward to seeing.
Cooper isn’t there becuase of MLS’ idiotic insistence on ignoring the international calendar.
FC Dallas is fighting for a playoff spot. Bradley knows this, and thus, left him off.
I fully expect Cooper to get his shot in the 2009 camps.
Looks like everyone got their wishes except he kept Ching and still no Cooper.
Just curious, what do people know about Torres? I don’t know anything about him. How much skill does he have? Is he an attacking or defensive midfielder? Anyone we can compare him to? Any info would be appreciated.
The only reason I can think that Kenny Cooper is not in this lineup is because the stink he made about his MLS contract. Is US Soccer taking it’s cues from the MLS? Are politics becoming more important than winning?
Einar – Nguyen? Are you kidding?
V glad that EJ is not in the lineup. It’s not all young players, but there are quite a few in there. Demerit’s back, too, which I like. Now if we could get some of the young ones on the field…
sucks about torres (for us mexican fans I mean) but I don’t think he was taking guardado’s spot any time soon : )
I’m very disappointed that Eddie Johnson was left off by his BFF Bob Bradley! He is such an incredible foward, what with his awesome passes backwards instead of taking on his opponents, his non-running off the ball, his consistent missing of the target….His services will be missed!
for me being a “chicano” it brings me some joy to see both jose and michael make the decision to play for USMNT. I really think that this will make many american born mexicans connect to the national team
This is the most excited I’ve been about a World Cup qualifier in a loooooong time. Kudos to Bradley for a job well done. And may we get a chance to see all these young bucks on the field!
for me being a “chicano” it brings me some joy to see both jose and michael make the decision to play for USMNT. I really think that this will make many american born mexicans connect to the national team