The preliminary 30-man roster for the U.S. national team's Gold Cup squad has been revealed and, as expected, most of the team's top players, aren't on it.
Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu, Jose Francisco Torres and Brad Guzan headline the group, which will be reduced to 23 when the team begins Gold Cup play on July 4th vs. Grenada.
Here is the squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Luis Robles, Troy Perkins
DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein, Dan Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Jay Demerit, Clarence Goodson, Eric Lichaj, Chad Marhsall, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Michael Parkhurst, Marvell Wynne.
MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu, Davy Arnaud, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Gaven, Stuart Holden, Pablo Mastroeni, Robbie Rogers, John Thorrington, Jose Francisco Torres,
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Davies, Jeremiah White
So what kind of starting lineup could we expect to see from this group? Here is one possibility:
Projected USA Gold Cup lineup
————Altidore———Cooper————
——Torres———————–Adu———-
—————-Clark—-Feilhaber—————
Bornstein–DeMerit—Parkhurst—Cherundolo
——————Guzan—————————
So who is mising from the preliminary roster? Surprisingly enough I would say Houston's Geoff Cameron and Brad Davis are probably leading the list of snubs, though I wonder if having Holden and Clark already on the team led to that decision. Not sure if that's the case though since the Columbus Crew has three players on this list. D.C. United rookie Chris Pontius is another glaring absence. Colorado's Colin Clark is another player I thought might make the list.
Conor Casey's inclusion is surprising because he's on the Confederations Cup squad and I can't imagine the Rapids being happy about missing their leading scorer for two months. Casey's inclusion, as well as that of Bornstein, could mean that this is an old list. Don't be surprised to see some changes before the 23-man roster is announced.
What do you think of this group? Who is missing that you think should be on the team? Who is on the list that you don't think belongs? What starting lineup would you like to see in the opening Gold Cup match?
Share your thoughts below.
I second the “would like to see Rolfe get a call-up” thoughts. And I’m a Red Bulls fan. Every time I see that dude play he looks very very solid. We could use some consistency on the USMNT
Zak Whitbread was nails for Millwall in 76 starts this past season and at 6’2 he helps shut down the corner kicks and crosses. He needs a call up.
What’ going on with Jemal Johnson? He’s off MK Dons now so is he hangin out in eating dried shrimps Norway or what?
How about Marcus Tracy?
Mastroeni is the past. Casey is possible and Cooper should believe this is his last chance.
Marcus Hannemann is as old as the hills. Why don’t we give Brad Friedel a shot?
why no mikey bradley??
please no Mastroeni. Why is he on this roster?
Quaranta, Pontius…
Tim,
ur right. why not more mexicans?
But, why not marcos vidal too?
He could call in his buddy, Jesus del Monte.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFuOaePg8zs
EJ = Exile Johnson for at least 2 years.
Are you kidding me Mastroeni, Casey?
Fire Bob Bradley.
is Simek still not healthy? does anyonw know?
My squad would be
GK: Guzan, Hahnemann, Perkins
DF: Parkhurst, DeMerit, Bornstein, Cherundolo, Wynne, Goodson, Marshall, Orozco
MF: Adu, Torres, Rogers, Holden, Clark, Feilhaber, Gaven, Arnaud
FW: Altidore, Davies, Cooper, White
——————–Altidore—————-
————-Torres———Adu————-
——-Holden——Clark——Feilhaber—–
Bornstein—–DeMerit—-Parkhurst—–Wynne
Lots of creativity near the forwards( Adu-Torres), lots of bite near the defenders(Holden-Clark-Feilhaber). I really like this because Holden and Feilhaber are ( or should) be allowed the freedom to take up positions along side Clark, but can also provide service from the flanks.
this team is going to come in third
Yeah, what happened with Preston Zimmerman? I heard he got released by Kapfemberg cuz he was trialing for a Championship team without permission. Also, I think Zizzo got released from Hannover. If that’s true, then they’re both free agents and could have used the oppty.
Everyone has been mention Whitbread, but I think Preston Zimmerman has been doing pretty well for his club and might merit a look too.
i excited to see Lichaj, Goodson and White who might see some action in the group stage. but more importantly a solid attack of jozy-cooper-casey-davies-torres-etc.
the rapids can’t be happy with their best forward/mid/gk’s being taken with probably only casey to see the field.
geoff cameron not getting on this team is a bigger relief than taking a dump after thanksgiving dinner.
how could you ever consider him? probably because the current squad at the confeds cup is playing to his level… he swallows
would have dropped bornstein, casey, gaven, mastroeni, thorrington (though he’ll probably get a good look at left back)
instead would bring in colin clark, geoff cameron, sal zizzo, frankie simek, and zak whitbread
Szetela is injured and should be back in Jersey today with family.
I 100% agree with Jig. Why dont we actually play a squad that actually has IN FORM players and see how they turn out. If they do well maybe Bradley will finally learn that an in form Stuart Holden is better than an off form Kljestan, in form Torres is better than off form Beasley.
I will say this for many times to come:
CALL UP IN FORM PLAYERS BRADLEY LIKE OTHER NATIONAL TEAMS!!
Why would szetela or zizzo be included? They rarely play for their clubs
.
Also
Ives, do you know if the other teams such as Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, etc. are bringing their best players? Or will they bring a B team like we will?
Where is Danny Szetela? I at least thought he would be on this list for sure.
Guzan
Wynne—Califf—Demerit—Bornstein
Holden—Feilhaber—-Rogers
———Adu
Davies——-Altidore
subs i want involved:
Parkhurst
Torres
Cooper