Photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Alejandro Bedoya helped his cause to make the U.S. World Cup team by scoring the winner in Orebro SK's 1-0 win over Brommapojkarna on Thursday.
Three days after missing a potential game-tying chance in a 2-0 loss to GAIS, Bedoya scored his first goal of the season on a diving header five minutes before the end of the first half. Bedoya started and played 86 minutes in the win.
Bedoya and Orebro finish their three-games-in-eight-days stretch with a match against Gefle IF on Monday.
If you haven't seen the goal, here it is:
What did you think of Bedoya's finish? Starting to believe he'll make the U.S. World Cup team?
Share your thoughts below.
Looking at the options in the midfield, you have to think Bedoya is a near lock. The US definitely could use a bit of a jolt on the wings, especially late in the games.
It was pretty clear in the Confed Cup that the US was better off with Dempsey up top late in the game, where he had more opportunity to create up top, and didn’t have as much responsibility tracking back to help defend.
Having players like Holden and Feilhaber would seem to fit the type of player Bradley would want to bring in these situation. But given their injuries you’ve got to be worried that they could encounter set backs or not be as match fit as you want.
I do worry however that even if CD is fit, he would probably be best utilized off the bench. This would push Dempsey up top and force Bradley into starting Holden or Torres on the wing.
Having guys like Edu (M and D), Donovan, and Dempsey who can slot into multiple places affords Bradley the luxury of carrying a few extra subs in the midfield.
I hate to well actually you, but Well actually Charlie Davies left the year Bedoya joined BC…
That goal was Dempsey-esque.
Bradley had better options…but he had/has that thing for Bornstein. And Sacha. Like those 2 would help beat Brazil? yeah right.
Anyway, here’s hoping 1 of the 2 misses the plane, and the other never gets on the field.
Now Bedoya on other hand, yeah i could see him being a difference maker if he is lucky, and at the least holding his own.
Ives,
Totaly agreed, Bedoya is the new flavor of the month, but that’s because he looked very good in his usmnt minutes, and oh yeah he’s playing well currently.
Beasley has been riding the pine again in Scotland, and his national team glory days look to be over.
right
Sacha shouldn’t be on or near the plane based on form of past year.
Bedoya should steal a seat off one of our injury victims.
Right, Bornstein is our 7th or 8th best defender, which is sad.
“But i think it’s a problem in the U.S.’s preperation and how bob bradley has prepared that you have players like Bedoya that so late in the world cup cycle that are just now getting their run outs. Same kinda goes for findley and Cunningham. i may be wrong about their amount of caps but it applies to bedoya.”
How do you figure it’s Bradley’s fault that these guys are only coming to the forefront now?
Cunningham forced his way into consideration by having a monster season after Cooper left. No one expected it. Findley was playing well but really seemed to turn it up a bit and then RSL won their championship. And Bedoya has only recently emerged after having a good year with his club , much like Davies did.
Finally, except for Bedoya, in all probability, none of these guys gets any consideration if Davies doesn’t have his accident.
Could you explain to me how the timing on all this is Bradley’s fault?
You might also note that Bedoya is the only one of these new guys who looks like he might actually having staying power with the US; all the rest look like retreads,fill ins, never wases or never will be’s.
We have two above average outfield players, Donovan and Dempsey. Everyone else is just okay to below average. The problem is there aren’t too many good American players and that is not Bradley’s fault.
This kid could be a great late sub. Remember when Bradley brought on Bornstein late in that Brazil game in the Confed Cup final? The coach needed creative attacking skill off the bench but his only option was Boorstein. Imagine if he had Bedoya? If he is playing and is comfy on the ball and he is not afraid of the big stage, I say call him in for the 30-man squad. After that its a crap shoot.
How is Bornstein in consideration for the final spot? He’s one of our best 7 defenders like it or not, he’ll be on the plane
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Davies and Bedoya played together at BC. I bet they would tear it up if they got to play together again
i’d agree with that. I got the same feeling. Tall guy with some nice foot skills i cant wait to see more of this guy
Does this help?
(meet alejandro bedoya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz-UBq2v_Mk
i’m NOT anti Bedoya. But i think it’s a problem in the U.S.’s preperation and how bob bradley has prepared that you have players like Bedoya that so late in the world cup cycle that are just now getting their run outs. Same kinda goes for findley and Cunningham. i may be wrong about their amount of caps but it applies to bedoya.
Striker rotation wise, and take left and right back. Most elite teams and i’m really only talking about about the top 6 or 7 but they know their depth chart. England knows on the right side even with becks hurt it’s basically, lennon, walcott, wright phillips, ya know? Lennon’s not getting his first games now. I mean some of these guys have great potential but some should have been in the fold before qualification even started. When we were capping Nate Jacqua and Eddie Johnson, not to mention Kenny Cooper. Though i’m less upset about Kenny Cooper even though i don’t think he’s up to it.
mark my words, bedoya is going to be the next dempsey. He’s got the swagger, plays best as a winger, has a creative game and is deceptively tall
I see what you did there, inkedAG.
that’s a fair point. there is a season mexico didn’t call him.
amen dude. this is CD all over again. ignored until he scored double digit goals in Sweden, gets called up and immediately makes an impact. i have a feeling bedoya could be similar, as im sure most USMNT fans think.
Agree with Ives, Bedoya deserves another look and Beasley is not playing anywhere.
“Alejandro…Alejandro…Ale…Ale..Jandro….Ale..Ale……Jandro”!!!!!!! Chorus I’ll be singing if he hits the pitch at the Mundial this year….Granted, it’s a Lady Gaga jam and it’s completely about something else, but the chorus could be sung when he hits the pitch…..I’m just saying!
I agree that the USA is at it’s best by being a direct, counterattacking, pressure-oriented team and looks to create chances any way possible and as quickly as possible. This could be a long ball( Onyewu v Cuba and Honduras), a counter attack(Donovan v Brazil), a defense-splitting pass(Altidore’s drawing the penalty v Italy), an individual piece of skill on the dribble(Feilhaber v Spain, knocking the ball around through the midfield(Altidore v. Spain), a set piece(Bocanegra v Honduras), or a good cross(Dempsey v Egypt and Brazil). The important part is having players who can finish them, and having players. Bedoya is someone who is very energetic, dynamic and direct, which clearly fits into this team. but I think that last paragraph and the two sentences before it were just silly bordering on desperate. Goodson up top? Jozy in the midfield? A bit radical don’t you think? Based on how amazing Davies has recovered, I would say he’ll be fit by World Cup time and I would go with this lineup:
—————-Davies—-Altidore———–
Donovan———-Edu—-Bradley——-Dempsey
Bocanegra——DeMerit—-Onyewu——Spector
———————Howard——————
Agreed. Also, my names mikemike. I don’t like how close mikeandike is to my name. Just based on that, your point is moot. I been here since this place was orange. Chigity check yourself.
As far as the goal goes, the marking was poor, but Bedoya made a good run at the back post and the technique he showed on header was pretty good. I think Bedoya fits the common string in the USA, which is that he can be direct, dynamic, dangerous, and daring, which is what the USA used to surprise Spain and then they proceeded to finish the chances they had while Spain were still a tad shellshocked from how forward and fearless the USA were, especially from guys like Davies and Donovan. I doubt Bedoya turns out to be as useful as Davies, but he has already surprised us with two good performances.
No news is good news right?
Ives,
Bedoya is this years’s Charlie Davies. What he brings that only Davies has brought in the past is a sense of aggressive energy. Jozy tends to blow hot and cold and most of the other attackers ( strikers and midfielders ) are like a tour group from a cruise ship waiting to be shown what to do and how to act. Bedoya is very direct. I don’t expect Charlie back so the US could us a dose of this. I also won’t count on Holden being in shape.
The US should take three strikers, Ching if he is healthy and can hold up, Jozy, and whoever (one of Buddle, Gomez, Rolfe, EJ and all those the other candidates). If Ching can’t go then take 10 midfielders (Dempsey, Donovan, Bedoya, Edu, Torres, Beasley, Holden,Clark, Feilhaber, Bradley). If Jones has a miraculous recovery,drop whoever is the least healthy of Beasley, Holden,Clark or Feilhaber for him.
I start Jozy and whomever up front, Dempsey, Donovan and Bradley behind them, Boca in front of the back four as a midfield destroyer. Back 4 of Dolo, Demerit, Gooch and Spector. Wonderfully negative side.
Goodson, Bornstein, Bedoya, Benny, Edu as primary subs
If whomever doesn’t work out put Goodson up there and drop Jozy into midfield.
This US team will go as far as our suffocating defense will take us and that has been missing since the Spain game. The goals will come from set pieces and counters and because we are supposed to be in better shape than everyone else. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just fooling themselves. This is the USMNT not Arsenal, not Barcelona.
off topic, does anyone have updates on Maurice Edu’s injury yesterday?
If I remember right, Bedoya and a few other hopefuls will be invited to the pre WC training camp to fight for the last spots on the WC roster.
His rise reminds me of Charlie Davies… We should get behind him and support him, not try to passive-aggressively put him down.
Well said. Respect
So he’s not illegible presently? I know he scored a brace yesterday in DK.
It’s not like Ives is saying that his chances of making the team were crappy and this goal changes everything; Bradley clearly likes this kid enough to bring him into a game against Holland and, I would think, is impressed with how easily he transitioned into this team.
You also mentioned how people keep pointing out moments that they’ve seen Bedoya impress in the short time he’s been with the USA. If you’re talking about a starter like Donovan, I could understand that “moments” aren’t enough unless they happen every time they get the ball, but when you’re talking about someone like Bedoya, who at most will have an energy sub’s role in this World Cup, assuming he’s going, then moments are very key and considering that he’s had a lot amount of moments in the hour he’s played for this national team, half of which came in a 10-man game, and the other coming in a game against Holland, I’d say he’s done more than just about any other fringe player to earn a spot on this team.
Yes, because he scored a goal in this game he will definitely make the U.S. team now. Using the same logic, if he goes five or six games without scoring, he will not make it.
This isn’t quite like Gomez putting up eight on the board and forcing his way into the discussion, I don’t see how this one goal changes Bedoya’s chances either way at all, whatsoever.
The math makes it hard for him to make it because these guys are rated by Bradley (based on recent USMNT playing time) ahead of him in midfield: Bradley, Edu, Clark, Donovan, Dempsey, Feilhaber, Holden, Torres, even Beasley. That’s nine midfielders. Unless we are going to play a 3-6-1, that’s plenty.
I have no idea what how this guy does on a weekly basis in Sweden, I suspect, neither do most of the commenters, who keep pointing to one or two moves here and there, in the brief time he has actually played for the A squad and the B squad this year.
That’s my two cents…
(SBI-Mike, Nobody said this goal “changes” Bedoya’s status. The fact that he’s been starting regularly in Sweden since last year, and has gotten off to a strong start this year AFTER impressing in the early-year national team camps. That’s why he’s in the conversation, why Bradley went to Sweden to watch him play, why I projected in the 23 in March and see him there for a while. You mention your “nine” midfielders but the fact remains Clint Dempsey stands a significantly better chance of playing forward than midfield in the World Cup, it’s not a lock that Bradley will bring five central midfielders, and Beasley’s place is far from guaranteed.
Based on form, versatility and ability, Bedoya is on the team right now. Are there people jumping on the bandwagon because he’s the new thing? Sure, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less deserving.)
I was watching the Pachuca game last night. The announcer was going on about how Torres plays very well and selected to play for the USA. The color commentator asked him about the other “gringo” that also wanted to play for the USA…He said “that Castillo is not a very intelligent player…If someone didn’t tell him that the pitch came to and end…he would keep on running”. “He wont be playing for the US”
Good to see some bright young players who have a good chance to make this years US WC team. I still remember the excitement that some young players brought to the team back in the 2002 WC such as Beasley and Donovan. I’m sure there were a few young prospects in 06 but I can’t remember who they were because their careers now are not too relevant. The 06 on the whole seemed pretty old. Jozy, Bedoya, Goodsen, Holden, Torres, Edu and hopefully Davies all have bright futures.
No chance on Castillo, hasn’t played enough.
Yura says he has a green card, wants to play for usa, should get citizenship within two years. Video was back in his RSL days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWZMShiVCk&feature=player_embedded#at=39
I meant “fullteam” meaning the 1st string, instead of “fulltime.” He was a late sub.
Honestly speaking, I think if Kljestan can get semi in-form, Bradley takes him over Bedoya. Chances of that happening? Not too bad, but not great either.
I have Bedoya making my final 23. I think it was Robbie Rogers, Sasha Klestjen or Freddy Adu’s chance to lose for that final midfield slot, but since neither have impressed and Bedoya was FEARLESS against Netherlands with the fulltime…we should definitely bring him along. Even if he never sees the pitch, it would be a great experience builder for a future Nat star. (starters in caps)
JOZY DEMPSEY
Charlie Ching
DONOVAN HOLDEN
Beasley Feilhaber
Bedoya
EDU BRADLEY
Torres Clark
BOCA DEMERRIT GOOCH SPECTOR
Castillo Goodson Cherundelo
HOWARD
Guzan
Hanheman
That’s a good question. I think that the USA is better suited with an attacking midfielder that can also contribute to the defensive effort of the team. Meaning that he should be able to effectively assist Bradley in dominating the midfield by not just passing and moving the ball through it well, but closing down service that comes out of it from the other team. Benny Feilhaber is the only attacking midfielder who seems truly able to do that and games in which he has started haven’t always ended well. He and Bradley did play well in the center against Slovakia, where the Slovaks were limited to only 1 chance(the penalty) in the whole half that Bradley and Feilhaber played, while the USA created an immense a pretty good amount of chances, all of which originated through the center of the field. I think if Feilhaber can become steadier and sturder, then he and Bradley are probably the USA’s future central midfield, but if Jermain Jones manages to recover from injury and finds even half the form he showed pre-injury, he’s probably paired with Bradley. Not a bad question though.
The little I’ve seen of him, I like him. I think both he and Gomez should get the nod over some of the guys who are struggling.
I feel that Bedoya has a real shot at making this roster. He is currently in form and playing regular minutes outside of the US. In addition, he adds some size to the attacking midfield and is a threat in the air as evident by that goal. I would put him behind holden in playing time and definitely ahead of sasha.
With that said, he would have to show some consistency as the US does have quite a bit of MF to choose from and no real stand outs save for the 3 we currently have in LD, Demps and junior
Sasha = Piss-poor
*disclaimer- It is only an opinion, please don’t delete this post Mr. Itchy trigger finger SBI Moderator.
Aside from his few call-ups, who is Bedoya?
Very nice finish, he is playing his way into contention for the squad. I like his work rate as well.
Haven’t seen much of Bodeya, but I like what I have seen. Hope he makes the 23. Nicely done on the GWG
Nice goal! I hope this kid makes the 23 for South Africa.
I know this is off topic, and forgive my ignorance but if we had a more solid attacking midfielder ahead of bradley, would michael bradley be the ideal choice of an enforcing/holding midfielder to pair up with said cam or would someone like edu/clark (or obviously jones if he was healthy) still be the ideal choice. Essentially, is bradley more suited to play a defensive mid field position as he does in the bundesliga?
P.S. I like Bedoya, kid has heart
Bedoya has never looked out of place in the two matches he has played. Considering that he went from playing with ten- I’m sorry, nine other 2nd/3rd string players to playing with the USA’s first team, and that he only accumulated a little over an hour of playing time for the USA in those matches, I’d say that’s pretty impressive.
He’s got guile, skill, creativity, energy and some bravery to him. I’d say since Kljestan, Rogers and Adu all seem to be not really doing all that well, the final spot is between Bedoya and Bornstein, who has looked good for Chivas lately.