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Who should Bob Bradley start vs. Grenada?
Doesn't have the same ring of importance and urgency as "Who should Bradley start vs. Spain" or "Who should Bradley start vs. Italy", but that doesn't mean Saturday's CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against Grenada isn't important for its own reasons. And it doesn't mean we shouldn't seriously think about the starting lineup Bradley will call on.
So what eleven players will get the call at Qwest Field on Saturday night? Here's one possible group:
Projected Starting USA lineup vs. Grenada
————Ching———–Davies—————–
———————–Adu—————————
Rogers————————————–Holden
———————-Pause————————-
Pearce—-Parkhurst—-Conrad——Cherundolo
———————Perkins————————-
It's tough to know how well players are doing in camp and who is working with who, but I could see this group. Chad Marshall is someone who could definitely get a start (and someone who I would start) but I don't think Bradley called in Jimmy Conrad to ride the pine. Goalkeeper is a toss-up between Robles and Perkins, though Perkins is actually the one who has previously started for the national team.
As for the seven players added to the USA Gold Cup roster? I haven't heard that any are with the team in Seattle so we won't include them here.
One player who I rate highly, and who has a bright future as a darkhorse selection is Toronto FC rookie Sam Cronin. He's still young, but has the skill and top-notch work rate that could earn him a quick ride up the national team depth chart.
Will Adu really start? It seems like people are assuming he will, but what if he doesn't? While Bradley saw plenty of Davies at the Confederations Cup it would make sense to want to see Davies partnered with Ching. If that's his forward tandem, and he decides he wants a stronger twosome in central midfield, Adu could be the odd man out. That being said, I think Bradley can justify needing two defensive-minded central midfielders against Grenada, regardless of whether Shalrie Joseph plays or not.
Now it's your turn. What starting lineup would you like to see vs. Grenada? What do you think of the lineup above? Are you anxious to see Freddy Adu start? Hoping Kenny Cooper get the nod?
Share your thoughts below.
I would go with something like this:
————–Perkins————–
Cherundalo(C)–Conrad–Parkhurst–Pearce
————–Beckerman————-
Holden———————-Rogers
—————-Adu—————-
———–Davies–Cooper————
“I’ll never understand this site’s (and its readers) affinity for all things Brian Ching. The fact that we are considering Brian Ching, a striker who can’t score, a lock to start is really, really sad.”
USA leading scores in WC 2010 Qualifying
5 – Altidore
4 – Bradley, CHING, Dempsey, Donovan
You were saying?
If “The Internet” were to be believed, Adu, Torres, Cooper and Zak Whitbread could beat most international teams 11 v. 4.
You folks really should step out of the basement (or off of FIFA ’09) and get some sunshine out in the real world.
In the same vein, I’m pretty sure a 30 year old right back, with 50+ caps, that has captained the Bundesliga side he has been with for the last 10 years might… just MIGHT have a place with this team.
Dear god – Rodgers and Pearce in the projected 11? More like a Z team.
Here’s the starting line-up I’d like to see the USMNT use. It is very young and largely untried, but Grenada will provide just enough competition to give them a test. I believe that Heath Pearce has played himself out of contention as a starter for both club and country. Michael Parkhurst is very smart and reads the game well. I would like to see how he handles the LB position.
———-Cooper——-Davies——–
—————–Adu—————–
Rogers————————–Holden
—————-Cronin—————
Parkhurst–Goodson–Marshall–Cherundolo
—————–Perkins————–
…………………….Perkins…………………………..
………Beasley, Califf, Conrad, Pearce…………
…..Bornstein, Pause, Beckerman, Klejstan…..
…………….EJohnson………Gordon………………..
I like your line-up Ives…really like it…I’ll be there tomorrow with the father in law wearing a chivas jersey and the wifey…
————El Guzano————
Dolo—Conrad—Parkhurst–Pearce
——holden——–Rico———
——Adu———–Beckerman—-
———-ching——davies—–
i want to see landin donovan in the line up!!!!!!!
Ching and the words “best forward” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Ching is perfect for the Gold Cup with no Confeds Cup on the line…but he is, at best, a sub for the World Cup. Love the guy, but he isn’t that good. His MLS stats this year are a JOKE.
Start Quaranta! He’s better than any of those midfielders!
”
On midfielder José Francisco Torres:
Bob Bradley: “José has had a very, very busy schedule with his club team and in discussions we felt that it was important that he have a little bit of a break before things start up again. When we look at all the different factors, certainly the idea that next summer, players will be coming right from their clubs into training camp that leads into the World Cup. You have to make very difficult decisions about whether a player can go a couple years without a break or there’s a need in some cases for a player to have a little bit of a break now before he begins an important stretch.”
I take back everything I’ve said about Coach Bradley and the Jose Torres situation. I bet we see Torres in Mexico…The Gold Cup doesn’t matter, he has already proven himself obviously, and doesn’t need the Gold Cup as a proving ground.
Ives, I like your linenup, with the exceptions of:
1) Pause. No way he deserves to start in front of Beckerman or Cronin or Evans.
2) Marshall for Conrad or Parkhurst.
3) Maybe switch Holden & Adu.
— Davies Cooper —
Evans/Clark Adu Beckerman/Pause Holden
Pearce Parkhurst Marshall Cherundolo
Since it is Grenada, I think BB holds off on his #1 team until game 2. This one give a chance for some of the maybe’s to start.
That said I think you have to start Adu and Holden every game.
I want to see how Clark and Davis do. Rogers is a known quantity.
I’ve asked this before and haven’t seen an answer posted.
What’s the latest with Chris Seitz? I would’ve thought he’d be higher up the potential Keeper ladder.
Is he injured? Has he been sucking wind in the MLS? What’s the deal?
I like your line up. Either way I would like to see Adu.
Holden and rogers should replace bease and sacha forever they are faster and have better work rates . You guys complain so much about ching and our system we play, Ching is the missing link he holds up so well and he’s deadly in the air would have helped on those set peices and releived pressure in the CC. He’s better than cooper because he’s consistent, cooper can’t figure out if he’s a forward or a winger.
No PAUSE he got schooled by a 18 year old from Tigres at superliga.
THIS IS A GOOD GAME TO TRYOUT THE ATTACKING YOUNGSTERS:
———Cooper——-Davies————
—————–Adu——————–
-Rogers——-Beckerman———Holdern-
Pearse—-Marshall—-Conrand–Cherundolo
—————–Robles—————–
MARSHALL is a must because he is real good on the air.
CHING should be used against Honduras.