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Four months from now, the U.S. men's national team will face England in the World Cup opener, and as fast as that match is approaching, there is still plenty to be settled with regard to the American squad that will be there.
The U.S. team's loss to Honduras last month helped drop the stock of several fringe World Cup candidates, but a bevy of injuries makes it tough to gauge just who will be ready when the team boards the plane for South Africa.
Charlie Davies remains a mystery, though a recent elbow surgery means he should be done with surgical procedures and can now focus on making a return to action. He is still considered a longshot to play, but can no longer simply be ruled out.
Question marks persist on defense, where depth has clearly become an issue. That lack of reliable depth is why we will make a change to our approach for selecting the defender pool for the World Cup roster.
Here is the group of 23 players we see the U.S. national team taking to the 2010 World Cup as of right now:
SBI 23 for 2010 (February 2010 edition)
GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann
DEFENDERS– Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Bornstein, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson
MIDFIELDERS– Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Maurice Edu, Robbie Rogers
FORWARDS– Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching, Robbie Findley
Left off last team-Edgar Castillo, Conor Casey
New additions– Maurice Edu, Brian Ching
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Here is a closer look at the positions:
GOALKEEPERS– The trio stays the same and there is no reason to believe that trio won't be in South Africa. Marcus Hahnemann is playing at a very high level as starter for Wolves and leaves me wondering whether he won't push Guzan aside for the No. 2 role of he keeps it up. We will have to wait until the MLS season to get a sense of who else might be a candidate to jump in if there is an injury. As of now, Troy Perkins remains that player.
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DEFENDERS– You might find it crazy to have just seven defenders on this roster, but there are three things to consider. First, the fringe candidates have been very shaky, making their inclusions highly questionable. Edgar Castillo hasn't really gotten his chance, but he is not a strong left back defensively so you wonder if he can break through in a group that already has three players capable of playing left back in Bornstein, Bocanegra and Spector.
Second, having seven defenders shouldn't be an issue if Maurice Edu is brought in. He has seen time in central defense (he looked good there on the U.S. Olympic team) and could be used there if needed. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the United States has used just six defenders in each of the past two World Cups. Both in 2002 (Steve Cherundolo and David Regis) and 2006 (Chris Albright and Gregg Berhalter), the United States had two defenders out of eight on the roster who didn't play a single minute.
It should be noted that Bruce Arena was the coach for both those teams, and Bob Bradley could prefer to have some depth among his defenders, but if Edu is on the roster, and if say someone like DaMarcus Beasley plays himself onto the squad, we can see Bradley taking just seven defenders.
We're not completely writing off Castillo just yet, but he, Frank Simek, Conrad and Marshall all need to play very well in the coming months on the club to justify being that eighth defender.
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MIDFIELDERS– There were no players removed from last month's group, while Edu has been added. Dempsey and Clark are both out injured, but both should be back in action in March.
DaMarcus Beasley remains sidelined for Rangers, which keeps him off the list and keeps Robbie Rogers on for now. It will be interesting to see what Rogers can do vs. El Salvador. That friendly should also afford Sacha Kljestan another opportunity to force his name back into the conversation.
Don't forget about Alejandro Bedoya. He's a darkhorse, but someone to definitely keep tabs on. If Beasley can't regain his health/form, Bedoya could wind up swooping in and grabbing the spot from Rogers.
Freddy Adu has gotten some minutes for Greek club Aris and can't be completely written off, but for now he remains a longshot. If he settles into a starting role for Aris, and starts to produce regularly, he still has a shot.
Jermaine Jones looks like a lost cause at this point. He still hasn't returned to action, and now that his inclusion in the upcoming friendly vs. the Netherlands looking unlikely, it would appear that a once-promising candidate is now a serious long-shot. Of course, if he returns to Schalke and plays very well to close out the Bundesliga season, Bob Bradley could have a very tough decision to make.
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FORWARDS– Brian Ching has battle injury issues on-and-off since last spring, but when he's healthy he's a better option than Conor Casey. We should expect one of them to make the roster and we'll include Ching for now. He should have a chance vs. El Salvador to show just where he is form-wise.
We'll continue giving Robbie Findley the nod over Jeff Cunningham, though it's close. As it stands, we can see both going if Charlie Davies can't make it back. Eddie Johnson has to be considered a candidate to challenge those two, assuming he can keep getting minutes for Aris.
We haven't forgotten about Kenny Cooper, but he needs to impress at Plymouth to have a real chance of forcing his way back onto the radar.
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What do you think of this squad? Which player is missing that you would have on the team? Which player is on the squad that you wish weren't on it?
Share your thoughts below.
jermaine jones is an actual elite level midfielder. it would be a shame not to see him on the squad.
I agree with this. Freddy is probably the best 70th minute sub option in a game down by a goal.
Nobody else in the pool delivers a ball like his assist at Aris.
If Subotic signs with Chelski, Citeh or Juve before the WC for a £15- 20million fee like is being claimed this week, I’m gonna curse Thomas Wrongen.
Again.
Look if any of your are bros with Donovan, see if he can whack a few more english players while he’s there.
I hear Lampard is easy to injure, I mean he was disabled for a few games thise year because he didnt get to fly first class. One good tackle and he’d be out.
I don’t remember, i’m guessing some bad games i’ve forgotten about…
Just curious… Whatever happened to QUARANTA? He had some sort of big comeback where he showed well for the nats, then nothing…
Ching was terrible v Mexico and has not played in months. everything people say he does he didn’t. Casey doesn’t cover any ground and is a mediocre to bad grommet in the box.
this is similar to a few above posts but after having watched Everton a lot lately I’m a proponent of trying that set up in friendlies.
4-5-1 — Drmpsey in the Cahil role and Landon and Holden or DMB, whoever is most in form on the wing. of course the Feillani role is missing but I’m crossing my fingers for Edu.
No need for Ching or Casey.
Is M. Bradley BB’s first born? Because just the mental picture of Bob actually offering him up to Freidel is just absurd enough to be awesome… hopefully an altar and a ritual sprinkling of Gatorade would be involved.
This is a bit random and I won’t comment on the obvious starters but…
Defense: I don’t have as much of a problem with Bornstein as some of you seem to. He is very fast and makes up for some poor play with speed…he’ll give you 110% all the time. I think Spector should be our RB he’s always looked good to me.
Midfield: No to Beckerman…my impression is that he always gives the ball away. I like Beasley, but his performance in 2006 was abysmal…i get butterflies thinking about it. I hope Adu finds his form with Aris because he and Dempsey are our most creative players. I don’t think Rogers is ready yet. I’m hoping Holden does well with Bolton because he shows signs of class. I think if Edu is healthy he’s a starter. Torres should definitely be a 2nd half sub.
Forwards: I don’t like Ching or Casey as options. Sans Davies, I like Cooper. I’m hoping he does well with Plymouth and he’s 6’3″ and not slow. Great target man on set pieces. If Eddie Johnson does well with Aris he should be on the bench. I’d take Findley over Cunningham. Davies is in my heart…I would love to see him return to Souchaux(sp?) and get playing time before the WC…if so, he’s definitely at least a sub.
One could also point out that Tigres would be facing relegation if it weren’t for Indios(only 1 team goes down). I find Mexican league play a bit more attractive than MLS, but being a starter on a bad team in Mexico is not necessarily as good as being an outstanding player in MLS.
For me, the argument that he must be good because he plays in Mexico is a stretch.
Finally the voice of reason.
BTW, Clint is not a target striker either.
Were you receiving the same treatment as Davies? Were you in the same shape as Davies? Did you have Davies’ drive?
WRONG- you are dead wrong and have been done in by all the feel good press reports. Why so gullible? What you want to happen and the facts are two different things and shame on theamateurish soccer press in this country to try to force this into a feel good story for their own sake.
After what he has been through there is NO WAY you no nothing that he could be match fit or match sharp to play in SA 2010.
Why are there so many no nothings in US men’s soccer fandom? Most likely because most have never off the couch or away from being in front of a computer-that’s why.
I wish him all the best but if he even makes the squad it will be a miracle. I know- I have been in a car accident and had similar injuries except the bladder thing when I was 19 and playing college baseball. It took me 2 and half years of training every day at a serious U with serious trainers and doctors to get completely fit.
The thing is you heal to certain point and you think everything is going to progress at the same speed. Sadly the last 30% of your healing takes twice as long as the first 30%.
You start running hard and cutting and BOOM- you pop your groin. You pull up fast-torn hamstring. Even ligaments are more at risk because of your injuries because your gait is never the same and that why tendons start popping right, left and center.
Look around the EP and see how long it takes players to recover from far less and comprehensive injuries- Dean Ashton, Rosicsky at Arsenal, etc. Better example- over a year for Eduardo at Aresnal for one compound break and first game back he pops a hammy and misses the next 5 matches.
Just be happy the guy is alive and may play football again but don’t put your hopes or pressure on him for WCSA 2010. It is the last thing he needs and I bet even Bradley knows that as well.
That’s the fact and openly dare anyone who has shattered an entire leg to dispute it.
Does Bedoya make the roster for the Netherlands game? If he does the competition for that left mid roster spot could get very interesting heading into May. Rogers hasn’t really impressed in his chances yet. The competition is wide open for that spot.
I’m not as confident of Torres making the final roster as I once was. He’s had a shaky club season so far.
Hey Ives,
How many people can Coach Bradley bring into the camp right before the WC? I see someone like Davies not being ready for any of the upcoming friendlies but possibly able to make a pre-WC camp and impress.
A decent article might be interviewing the coach on his decision making process for his roster.
Yeah, in the article on yanks abroad he said that he doesn’t have his American passport,but it is only a matter of going down to the German embassy and getting it. He has to be considered if he is starting for a bundesliga team even if he has never been involved with the USMNT before. He should definitely be called up in the Netherlands friendly. Its not like he would have to travel far.
Pontius doesn’t play CM. He is either an outside midfielder or a forward.
The only problem I see with that formation is a lack of width on the left flank. I know Bornstein isn’t the best crosser of the ball, but having a naturally left footed player over there would be nice. If someone can overlap Donovan, allowing him to pinch inside, he will be much more dangerous.
Another problem I see with our offensively weak left flank is it allows the opposing team’s right flank to get forward.
I realize this is hardly trivial, and that lineup is probably as good as it’s going to get. It’s certainly the 11 best players we have.
Blargh! Our depth up top is ATROCIOUUUUUS. Come on Davies! I’m counting on you to get back on the pitch.
Jozy is NOT a target striker. Nor is he effective up top by himself. This has been established repeatedly. We do absolutely need one real hold up target striker on the roster, and Ching is probably the best we have.
Can someone go tonya harding on Casey? The guy is shite and a douchebag in real life. Ok maybe that is a bit severe.
It’s ridiculous that anyone’s proposing Ching for the squad. With Ching in the setup, there ACTUALLY ARE mostly long ball passes… I cannot disagree more about Ching’s touch, it’s beyond dreadful. He should not be on the squad, period. His form has diminished alarmingly over the last 2 years. Casey probably shouldn’t be there either.
We already have target forwards in Jozy and Clint. We need speed running at tired defenses into the second half.
It’s a safe assumption that Charlie Davies won’t be starting the game (as of what we know today), therefore:
1. Jozy – Landon starts up top -or- Jozy’s by himself.
2. Jozy being replaced by Dempsey (from right wing) up top when he goes off after 65-70 minutes for Feilhaber.
3. Charlie comes on for Clark and plays the last 15-20 minutes up top with Clint. Landon, (if he was at forward) slots into the right wing.
4. Last 10 minutes, Torres comes on for Holden on the left.
The chess pieces are already there. We do not need or want Ching or Casey. Lets hope Bradley uses them wisely.
I agree 100% with Luke – Cbus.
HoneyHell, most of our defense (esp. if you include holding mids) are red cards waiting to happen.
Bradley has to leave the door open for Jermaine Jones as late as humanly possible….Jones and the coaches kid would make a nice pair!!!
Jones at 80% is still the best option!!!!
Did you guys know that Spector has been playing Left back recently….this opens up a whole new realm of possibilities….Here is my squad!
Howard
Cherundolo-Gooch-Boca-Spector
Jones-Coach’s Kid
Duece——Donovan
Jozy——Davies
Is it just me, or is everyone playing in Scotland injury prone?
I tried it out a year ago and could not get it to play. It failed on both PC and Mac. I couldn’t even get past the payment step.
Has anyone gotten it to work?
He holds dual-citizenship.
Love this line-up.
Honestly, even if Davies isn’t 100%, I’d still love to have him there for morale and just to show everyone how far he’s come and how committed he is. I’m sure he’ll be at a level to put in quality minutes as a sub at the very least.
first of all I know that Fridel is been retired but the way his been playing why not consider him for the USNMT. Micheal Hoyos has been playing good with Estudiantes and you are right but why not keep him on consideration maybe not for this world cup but for the more to come. Williams is German but his father is American like Jermaine Jones. William is another one to be consider for the 2014 and more.
The problem is that Casey provides a scoring threat about as often as Tim Howard. And when Casey finally does threaten the goal he will shank a wide open shot 10 ft. wide of the goal. At least Ching can win set pieces and play decent balls to our other attacking options. Ching over Casey is a no brainer.
Fair enough, but why do we struggle to defend with four? Is it because we need MORE guys back there, or because we need the RIGHT guys back there? My point is, we’ve had problems at the back because we simply don’t have the depth in the back line, so we’re forced to put weaker players out on the field. My argument is to put the best players out there, and emphasize our own strengths. SO: We have strong young midfielders, let’s stress that in our tactics.
And besides, we would have two relatively strong defensive midfielders in Edu (who, of course, has experience at CB) and Bradley to act as a first line of defense.
I understand it’s definitely thinking outside the box, but if we want to grow, we need to focus on our strengths.
Do you really think that four months before the Wolrd Cup that players like Hoyos will be considered after having NEVER been in contention?
And why would you put Friedel on this list? He is LONG retired and not under consideration.
By the way, Williams is German.
He’s German and not eligible.
The USMNT struggles to defend with four. So you want to ask them to defend with three? I didn’t read anywhere past that because I find the idea ridiculous.
GOALKEEPERS- Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann
DEFENDERS- Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Edgar Castillo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson
MIDFIELDERS- Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Maurice Edu, DiMarcus Beasley
FORWARDS- Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore, Jeff Cunningham, Robbie Findley
Considerations: Jermaine Jones, Marcus Tracy, Michael Hoyos, Daniel Williams, Freddy Adu, Micheal Orozco, Bedoya, Jonathan Bornstein, Conor Casey, Brina Ching, Robbie Rogers, Brad Fridel, Eddie Johnson, Kenny Cooper
Please keep adding any more name on the list of consideratin on who could be in the 2010 World Cup Roster.
Torres? LOL! Yuck.
GOALKEEPERS- Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann
DEFENDERS- Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Edgar Castillo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson
MIDFIELDERS- Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Maurice Edu, DiMarcus Beasley
FORWARDS- Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore, Jeff Cunningham, Robbie Findley
Cosiderations: Jermaine Jones, Marcus Tracy, Michael Hoyos, Daniel Williams, Freddy Adu, Micheal Orozco, Bedoya, Jonathan Bornstein, Conor Casey, Brina Ching, Robbie Rogers, Brad Fridel
Bottom line, until all is sorted out with regards to Davies, Gooch, and Jones injury recoveries the field is open to interpretation.
If Davies is healthy and game fit…take 3 forwards as both Donovan & Dempsey can be pushed forward.
If Gooch is healthy and game fit…take 7 defenders
Gooch, Boca, Dolo, Spector, DeMerit, Bornstein, &
Marshall (Goodson).
This leaves the greatest versitility in the Midfield where we have good options that can make a difference agains different opponents…(10 Midfield Slots)
Midfield: Donovan (Beasley/Bedoya/Castillo), Dempsey (Holden), Bradley (Benny & Torres), Jones (Clark & Edu). Gives the US depth while giving us the ability to manipulate/change based on any given opponent.
I’d be more open to moving Dempsey up top with Altadore rather than moving Donovan to Striker. If you move Dempsey up top you’ve got to players who can hold possession a little and get others into the play. Moving donovan up top adds speed yes, but you loose the creativity, passing, and crosses from the wing.
Bob has a gameplan?
Davies’ condition will affect the WC roster greatly. If he can’t make it or if he’s just not game-fit, then if Bob goes with Dempsey up top like I hope he would, the WC roster would probably have an addition mid over a forward.
I hope some of the interesting fringe players, Bedoya, Rogers, Findley, Omar, Alston, or Davis do something in one of their friendlies to prove they can contribute and deserve a spot.
Can anyone comment on the status of Daniel Williams? He’s a defender for SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. He’s right back and I believe US eligble. He’s young, but he seems to been having good run in recent weeks. Maybe he gets called in (but not necessarily on game day roster) for the Netherlands game?
Ives, Gianfranco… what do your sources seem to think?
Hejduk is a RED-CARD waiting to happen. His 2 legged diving tackels will not be acceptable in the WC now. Think I’m wrong..
look at the last friendly (want to say Nov.) he was thrashed by the wingers. and was luckly not to have been ejected.
I guess that’s why people are opening the option of Castillo playing Left Midfield/Winger potentially replacing Robbie Rogers, and not replacing Bornstein.
IF Davies can’t do it, then you have to move Donovan up to forward with Altadore. There is NO way we’ll advance from our group if we are pinned-in without quality up front to put heat on opposing defences. IF DMB starts playing again like he was doing a few weeks ago at Rangers then include him in the mid in Donovan’s MF place, btw he used to play occasional striker for PSV don’t forget. Defense and mid really look solid, the biggest hole is up top though, Jose can’t do it alone up there, i’d entertain other options instead of Finley or Ching.
I know this is entirely unrealistic, but I’m interested to see what everyone thinks about this idea: We have more young midfielders with great vision than we know what to do with. Why not go with something like a 3-2-3-2 so that we don’t squander these guys with the talent and ability to possess the football, the guys who can bring USMNT to the next level? Something like this: Back line (3) – Bocanegra, Gooch, Cherundolo; Defensive Midfield (2) – Edu and Bradley; Attacking mid (3) – LD, Torres/Feilhaber, Dempsey; Forward (2) – Davies, Altidore.
Alternately, if Davies for some reason cannot finish his miracle recovery, put Dempsey up top with Altidore, and in Dempsey’s spot put either Torres or Feilhaber (whichever one you leave out with Davies in the lineup). I understand that, with Dempsey up top, and Feilhaber/Torres in his place, we don’t have a traditional “winger” on the field (unless you count LD). But I don’t think that matters, given that you would have the most creative, possessive, and visionary lineup that we have ever had (and that Dempsey isn’t even at his best when on the flank).
What does everyone think about that?
I don’t know but I think if Pontius has a good game (obviously assuming he plays) he might start making a claim for the 23.
Edu most certainly does not play wide, he is very much a defensive minded central player that is much better than Beckerman.
I know I’m gonna get ripped, but I’d rather have Chad Barret than Brian Ching…
Ching is essentially a hard worker who can’t score. Chad Barrett is basically the same, except he’s faster, has better skills, distributes well and actually looks like a really dangerous player until he misses his shot wide by 2 feet 12 times in a game. Plus, Barret is not EJ, he doesn’t take plays off, and will give all he’s got to win the game. I know there is an issue of experience at this level, but I think that is sometimes overblown, especially for guys who are coming in for energy, rather than for being the real engines of the team.
Also, I’d rather have guys like Pontius, Adu, Klejstan, or Chris Rolfe over Robbie Rogers. Not b/c I necessarily think they are better players, but b/c we have 4 guys that can play the wings (LD,CD,SH,BF), but nobody in the midfield that is gonna be a purely offensive force that can run at people, shoot from distance and distribute, in the case that we are down late and need an offensive spark. Feilhaber and Torres are offensive minded, but they are more field generals than all out attackers. Rogers is a purely wide player, but these guys at least can plug in behind the forwards and add a little something extra to the attack
Agree. To be clear i was just saying blohkin is not getting his wish. The decision to be made is either Ching OR Casey (not “Ching NOR Casey”) because they are the best we have.
I’m actually very comfortable with Ching up front. I don’t expect goals from him. He’s proven that he can sit on defenders as good as Marquez and pass enough to make scoring chances for other finishers. I’m not as comfortable with Casey.
“Not international quality” is a lame argument when not all of your players are international quality.