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Now that the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup are behind us, we can start taking stock of the U.S. men's national team and just what the squad is shaping up to look like ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
There is still plenty of time between now and when U.S. coach Bob Bradley has to select his 23-man roster (oh, and yes, there's still the whole having to actually qualify part), but that doesn't mean we can't start thinking about what the U.S. roster will look like in next summer's World Cup.
With that in mind, here is the 23-man World Cup roster I see the U.S. taking to the 2010 World Cup:
SBI 23 for 2010
GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Troy Perkins
DEFENDERS– Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Chad Marshall, Clarence Goodson, Frankie Hejduk
MIDFIELDERS– Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Maurice Edu, Jose Francisco Torres, Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley
FORWARDS– Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies, Brian Ching,
So who's missing? Let's go by positions:
GOALKEEPERS– Marcus Hahnemann can certainly grab the No. 3 spot if he gets games in England next season, but Perkins picked up momentum in the Gold Cup.
DEFENDERS– Heath Pearce is back in the conversation at left back after a good Gold Cup (the final notwithstanding). If he finds a club to play for where he will get playing time, he can definitely be in the mix. Jonathan Bornstein is also in the mix, but struggled at the Confederations Cup after a decent start. You may notice three natural right backs in the group. Spector and Hejduk can both play left back in a pinch so their versatility should help their cause.
Centerback has become a pretty stacked group, with Marshall and Goodson showing well. Jimmy Conrad is right there with those two, and only his concussion in the Gold Cup quarterfinals kept him from showing he belongs in the 23 right now. For me, it's between Conrad and Goodson for the final centerback spot. Danny Califf had a rough spring and has to, for my money, fall behind Marshall, Goodson and Conrad in the pecking order. Michael Parkhurst trails the pack.
Some other names to keep an eye on include Michael Orozco, Eric Lichaj and yes, Edgar Castillo.
MIDFIELDERS– Where is Jermaine Jones? Since he's not eligible yet I've decided to leave him off. Once he's actually played for the United States then he will have a place in the 23. The most shocking pick here is DaMarcus Beasley. Does he deserve to go based on current form? Absolutely not, but he has a year to regain his form and Bob Bradley will certainly give him every opportunity to get his form back. That, coupled with the failure of anybody to step up and
Other missing include Robbie Rogers, Freddy Adu, Kyle Beckerman and Sacha Kljestan. I'd say Kljestan is the closest of that group, assuming he can recapture his mojo. Rogers struggled badly late in the Gold Cup to hurt his chances, but he's young and has room to grow. Adu was shocking in the Gold Cup, and is unlikely to be a factor unless he goes somewhere he will actually play regularly. Beckerman had a good Gold Cup but is at a loaded position.
FORWARDS– Bob Bradley desperately needs a target striker or two but the pool just doesn't have any international caliber candidates. Ching is best suited for the role. Other candidates for the slots include Eddie Johnson if he can continue to play and see more time in England, and Kenny Cooper if he makes a move to Europe so he can grow and develop. Youngsters such as Marcus Tracy, Chris Pontius and Preston Zimmerman are long-term prospects to keep an eye out for.
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SBI will provide a monthly update to the 23 for 2010 so please stay tuned. For now, please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on this group. What do you think of this 23-man roster? Who isn't on the list that you think should be?
Share your thoughts below.
Mike,
I agree with you on every point. I’d like to see Stuart included in the team. That kid has a lot of promise. Hopefully, he’ll get picked up soon by a team from Europe where he can develop his skills and overall game.
I’d actually like to see Nate Jacqua get a look in the later qualifiers. He has looked sensational for Seattle and I just don’t think Ching has ever belonged at the national level. We’ve always tried to make a McBride out of Ching and it’s rarely materialized into results. Whereas Jacqua has shown some real craftiness with his play and can assist just as easily finish.
Why does ching get so much credit? Yes he can head the ball but that’s about it…
i think Kamani Hill just got hurt, but i really think we’ll see him during the friendlies leading up to the WC
after yesterday who knows is Castillo will still want to switch to the US
I realize its important for a manager to trust his players, but Bradley has at times shown too much of a willingness to choose “his guys”(Bornstein,Klejstan,Hejduk,Beasley, and the list goes on) over other players that are having success “off the radar”(it took Ching’s injury and Casey’s laziness to get Davies in the Confed Cup).
Why isn’t US Soccer doing its job following the progression of all its developing players outside of the US, not just the ones playing in the Big 4(England,Spain,Italy,Germany)?
Jorge, Bradley,the younger has proven himself to be a real gamer, so it’s up to Bradley, the elder to find a way to have both Johnson and his son on the pitch at the same time.
Oh its 3-1 Aarhus up at half, Benny has looked fantastic all game with a backheel to set up their 2nd goal as well./
Will someone explain to me a target striker? and why davies and jozy are not considered target strikers?
what about Whitbread, Hill or White?! how do they keep getting looked over?! also, you think the two guys who signed with everton will see any playing time?
Congrats to Benny Feilhaber who just scored his 1st professional goal!
I am betting that Robbie Rogers will make the roster. He is known by the players as a good teammate and does what he can to help the team at all times. I thought he had a pretty good Gold Cup and did evolve as the tournament went forward. Against Mexico it was good to see he was not making the silly give aways. He needs to keep his head up and work on his finishing. He has the talent.
I would not write off Freddy Adu just yet. We’re a year away. He can have a decent season in Europe and merit at least somem consideration for a sub spot on the team. He does have talent with the ball, which is still a fairly rare skill on our national team.
Out of the Gold Cup squad, I liked Holden and Rogers. I see Holden as a more or less definite addition to the team, while Rogers is a may be. But I think he’s potential upside is bigger than Sacha Klejstan.
Also, I wonder whether the (soon-to-be-departing for Denmark) Real Salt Lake’s Movsisyan merits at least a brief look for the national team. He’s been playing well in the MLS.
——-Charlie————Altidore———
(Ching) (E.Johnson)
Donovan—–Clark——Bradley——Dempsey
(Rogers) (Benny) (Edu)(Jones)(Holden)
Boca——-Gooch——-Demerit——Spector
(Borstein) (Marshall) (Cherundolo)
—————-Howard———————
(Guzan)
(Perkins)
Jorge –
There shouldn’t be a rivalry b/w Jones and M Bradley. They should both start – Jones as the destructive, beast of a CDM that he plays for Schalke, and Bradley in the more attack-minded role that he played for Gladbach.
I really hope that a true LW comes into play (even DMB if he can). In my opinion, Rogers showed absolutely NOTHING in the Gold Cup. I’m not counting his excellent game against Grenada – it appears that it was an abomination, as he looked like horseapples in the other 5 games.
No LB’s after Bocanegra certainly scares me, but not as much as seeing Pearce/Bornstein get torched (as they would). I think Jay Heaps should be in the mix as a left back.
And yes, I’m completely kidding.
“Bob Bradley will certainly give him every opportunity to get his form back. ”
I can’t stand this line of thinking, but Ives is right about the likelihood that this will happen.
Giving washed up players every benefit of the doubt (and more) is SOP for US coaches. See Agoos, Reyna, Burns, etc. There’s a perception that experience and trust is far more important than form or quality.
It’s the ONLY reason I wouldn’t mind a foreign coach. That’s not to say BB should be fired– I really like him, though I’m not pleased with his loyalty to marginal players even in competions he doesn’t care about (Gold Cup, last year’s Copa America). But there’s an orthodoxy and tendency to log-roll that could use some shaking up, once Bradley decides to move to the next challenge.
Ives,
I must say this is the first time I completely disagree with you. No natural left back- Hejduk and Spector can step right in, are you kidding me? If they could step right in then the the human speed experiment of Jon Bornstein would not have ever occurred. I think Bornstein and Pearce could both make it and replace Hejduk and Goodson. Boca is the ultimate utility not Hejduk. I think Bob brings one more forward and that someone from the crowed center midfield doesnt get called in. From Bob’s previous decisions I dont understand why any of us think Torres will make this roster. We saw a huge lack of depth on the wings in the confed cup and I think that puts DMB, Santino Quarenta and Robbie Rogers ahead of Torres in the line to making this roster. That is obvi. not based on pure talent but pure need. If Bob thought Torres could play a wing pos. then he would have used him in the confed. cup.
I think you nailed it. I’m not to sure about Adu, E. Johnson. These two players should have stayed in MLS to better themselves. I hope the money is worth sitting on the bench.
Let’s remember, these players are to bring to the 2010 WC. Not meaning they will all play. We might look at maybe using 15-18 players at the most.
i think that- with the exception of pearce/bornstein over goodson- thats what it will be at this point. i, personally, would add jones and drop ching. if anyone emerges it would be at the expense of clark/edu.
When did Kljestan ever have a USMT mojo? Other than the hat trick he had against a “C” Sweden team featuring guys with other day jobs, I can’t recall an appearance that sticks out.
Ives,
I think at this time your 23 is probably close and your inclusion of Beasley – as painful as that would be now – is probably what would happen if the roster were announced today.
That being said, I’d like to see Kljestan get his mojo back… but I’m looking forward to seeing Jones get some run with the nationals as well.
Ives, is there any chance you could become master of all soccer sites?
-What would be your dream golf foursome?, you being one of the players. Mine would be Eric Cantona(no hecklers would dare test his patience!), Eric Wyanalda(to outspoken for espn, nuff said), and Mike Bradley(personal favorite).
I’d like to see more wide midfield players on the list. I felt the lack of them in the Confed Cup really hurt us. But the next question is at the expense of whom?
E Johnson > Casey
If Eddie’s on, he’s dangerous. Of course who knows when that will be. All I’m saying is Eddie has more talent than Casey will ever have.
Plus, I don’t want a striker that loafs around like he’s wearing cement shoes when we’re trying to chase a game.
Well stated, Grant. I think we need a natural left sided player somewhere in the line up. As for the 3rd keeper, I can see it both ways but I wont hold out for Friedel.
Ives, at this point I think your list is right on, with the exception that DMB has just shown zero form the last two seasons. I also think Castillo could be in the mix as a solution to our left back issues, as others have mentioned. I think Holden has definitely shown enough through his Gold Cup performance to be included, he showed great poise on the ball and great decision making overall.
One question on your list…Donovan as a forward? I’d think that we’d bring four strikers in Jozy, Davies, Ching, and, um…somebody else 🙂
Hey where is conor casey. Why is he not in the picture? He has a better shot then E. Johnson, pontius, tracy and zimmerman.
Substitute Bornstein for either Hejduk or Goodson and you’d be on. I have trouble with 3 RB’s, 5 CB’s and no natural LB’s on the roster.
I’m also skeptical of Holden making the squad.
Still a long way out, so it’s obviously hard to say. Too many hypotheticals involved in DMB making the roster; despite BB’s affection for him, I think he played his way out of the lineup for the foreseeable future.
Not quite as dire, but I think JFT also needs to show a lot this year to stay in the picture.
I am hoping that EJ will make a push for a spot up top.
2010 may be a year to far for Hejduk, with injuries and age you have to wonder if he can be at a standard needed for world cup play. Hes proved us wrong before, but i think Pearce(given a good club run) will have his spot.
–Ives, does Bob bring 4 holding mid’s(Bradley, Jones, Edu, Clark) and who starts? Assuming Beasely or Adu is selected.
Given the fact that Michael Bradley is Bob’s son, I wonder how that will play out once Jones joins the team.
Will there be rivalry?
minus Goodson, Beasley
plus Jones, Left Back (Castillo, Bornstein or Pearce)
Holden will have to fight off Adu, Klestjan and a left winger, maybe Rogers, since we laredy have a ton of central mids on the roster
You’re mostly right, Ives.
I would rather have Hahnemann than Perkins, because if things get to the point where you are using your third keeper in the World Cup, you want a guy who has seen it all, and Marcus fits that description better than Troy, but in a perfect world, Brad Friedal should be there for just this reason.
Personally, I would rather have another dedicated left back in Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein, or both, rather than Clarance Goodson, since Goodson would be what amounts to the fifth, sixth, or seventh center back on the roster (since Jonathan Spector and Maurice Edu can deputize at center back, if needed). Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, and Spector can all play center back, and so I wouldn’t even mind just taking Pearce and Bornstein as dedicated left backs along with Steve Cherundolo and Frankie Hejduk as dedicated right backs, especially with Edu there as well. I agree that Chad Marshall is the next guy in line, however.
I understand the rationale for leaving Germany Jones off the roster, and would agree with you that DaMarcus has a history with Bob Bradley that gives him the leg up over the other bubble guys you mentioned at midfield.
As for forwards, I agree entirely. Give me Brian Ching over Kenny Cooper, given the amount Ching has played with this group recently.
JEMAL JOHNSON, JEREMIAH WHITE? Felihaber is allowed to come in from eastern europe, so why won’t bob call in these two?
At this point I prefer Rogers over DMB. To me, in spite of struggles the last week, he is our most in-form true winger. NM
Great idea for a column, Ives.
For what it’s worth, I used to read a lot of different soccer blogs, but lately, I’m finding I don’t have to stray from SBI to get my fix. Great work!
I would not be surprised if the midfield switched up considerably over the European season. Adu could get playing time while Edu could lose his spot due to injury . . . and that’s not even taking into account the Jones factor. This is a good “pre-season” list, I suppose.
goodson’s play in the gold cup final was terrible. how could you have given him a 5 in your espn piece? he absolutely fell asleep on the second goal and let the left winger run up free! that lazy play should have stuck out in your mind more than anything else!
No Eddie Johnson. He’s great when his on form but you never know when that is going to be.
Anyone who doens’t think that an in form Demarcus BEasley would not have bought some stability and ideas to yesterday’s game does not remember what an in form Beasley can do. I think Ives is right – until someone steps up and stakes a claim, Beasley will have a chance to work his way back in. That’s esepcially true if he is playing well by next spring.
I also agree on Castillo and Jones. Until they actually wear a US shirt they are not REALLY in the discussion. Hopefully, Bob will get them into matches after we clinch qualification or early next year.
Oh, though I love Beasley, he has to get back into form to warrant a position. As of now I think even Beckerman is ahead of him.
@Bill,
Remember that the season in Mexico just got underway. So it is very likely that Torres will see and hear more of him as he gets PT regularly.
Bill, Torres is excellent on the ball and, like Feilhaber, does well holding and distributing in the offensive flow. He’s got to work on his D, I think and can be prone to bad turnovers but he’d be above any of the Copa d’oro guys.
Harry,
Adu?! Really?! Adu couldn’t change a match right now if he were in the middle officiating he’s so off form. It is a lot to hope he comes back to whatever form you think you saw in the next year….
Of course the wild card here is injuries. We all remember how Chris Armas was set for the 2002 WC, but was injured in the one of the warm-up matches. The same for Frankie in 2006. So, no matter how well we nail who is playing well THEN, they all have to remain healthy while getting consistent playing time for their clubs. Let’s hope we don’t have any losses like J. O’Brien from this talented group of midfielders.
I don’t understand Torres’ inclusion. He showed well in a few qualifiers, but there isn’t much history for him? He’s a relative unknown at this point, no? Ives, are you assuming he’ll see more of the field from July-November this year?
There is no natural LB in that group after Bocanegra, which is pretty risky I think. Because Spector can also play at CB, why not swipe out Goodson for Pearce, or maybe Castillo down the line.
Pretty accurate
The Ultimate X-factor will be Adu. if he stays doing nothing he will not be on the flight..if he finds a club and plays every game next year and gains his in/top-form that he showed with benfica and USMNT vs Swiss,SA,SpAIN,England, and Argentina where he was a game-changer……….he will be the offensive super-sub next year.
Hejduk will be too slow next year
Beasley has to show something, In the meantime he is out.
Would use Jones for Beasley
and E.Johnson for Hejduk spot.
Ives, you mad fool, you’ve lost the plot! DMB?! Seriously?! Swap he and Jones (assmuing it all goes as planned) and I’d say you’d hit the nail on the head. I’d argue EJ may get a sniff if he is playing regularly and holds his preseason form (doubtful…he’ll self destruct yet). I’d disagree that Klejstan is next in line. At least Beckerman has some grit and determination about him. And you can argue till the cows come home who should be keeper #3. I think you nab Marcus for all the intangibles; Perkins is young yet and can shoot for 2014.
why the f is beasley even in the discussion?
UNO!