A little more than two months stands between the U.S. national team and its World Cup destiny, less than 10 weeks before 23 Americans will be chosen to represent the United States in sport's biggest event.
The World Cup roster picture is pretty clear for the most part, but some plotlines continue to develop as we draw ever closer to Bob Bradley's deadline to pick his roster.
There have been no international matches since I last picked a 23 for 2010, but there has been plenty of club action to help give us a picture of how things are developing.
Marcus Hahnemann, Maurice Edu and Alejandro Bedoya are among the players to enjoy strong months, while DaMarcus Beasley's battle for playing time at Rangers and Stuart Holden's recovery from a broken leg have been other storylines to watch.
Here is SBI's 23 for 2010 for April:
SBI 23 for 2010 (April 2010 edition)
GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan
DEFENDERS– Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Bornstein, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson
MIDFIELDERS– Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Maurice Edu, DaMarcus Beasley, Alejandro Bedoya
FORWARDS- Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies, Conor Casey
Left off last team-Heath Pearce, Brian Ching
New additions– Charlie Davies, Conor Casey
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Some thoughts on this month's selections:
The same three goalkeepers are locked in, but Marcus Hahnemann's play for Wolverhampton makes him a pretty strong selection as the No. 2 goalkeeper ahead of Brad Guzan.
Bob Bradley will have a decision to make regarding how many defenders he wants to take. Does he go with the standard eight, or does he go with seven to make room for his midfielders? This time around we go with seven, though Frank Simek is probably the next choice over Heath Pearce in my book.
Oguchi Onyewu still hasn't returned to action for AC Milan, but until we hear about an actual set-back in his recovery, he should be back in time to be fit for the World Cup. Whether or not he'll get some games for Milan in the meantime remains to be seen, but Onyewu goes to the World Cup if healthy regardless.
Alejandro Bedoya and DaMarcus Beasley would seem to be playing for the same position, but the versatility of both players will leave them in for now. Beasley's hold is shaky though as he continues to struggle for consistent playing time. If he's playing and fit, Beasley will go.
Central midfield could wind up being the area where a surprising player is left out of the 23-man roster. Will Bradley bring five central midfielders to South Africa in Michael Bradley, Edu, Clark, Feilhaber and Torres, or will he be forced to leave one of them off in favor of another defender? This time around, we'll keep the central midfield Fab Five intact.
Forward is the position everyone wants to talk about. We've tried to be cautious with our projection of Charlie Davies, but we're going to include him this month as moves ever closer to returning to the field for FC Sochaux. While it still remains uncertain how much of his ability will still be there once he does come back, I'm banking on him being good enough to make this 23.
Brian Ching's hamstring injury makes things even more wide-open on the back-end of the forward pool. Ching looked like a safe bet, and could still make it back in time, but for now we will leave him off for Conor Casey. I was very tempted to include red-hot Herculez Gomez instead of Casey, but we need to see Gomez keep up his recent stellar form for another month before he'll get the nod. Casey isn't a sexy pick, but he'll be chosen for his ability to provide a holding forward option off the bench. If Ching is healthy by early May he will be a good bet to still be included, but Bradley might have to start thinking seriously about the injury risk for Ching, who has endured his share of injuries over the past month.
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What do you think of this group? Which player is missing that you would include? Which inclusion do you think was a mistake?
Share your thoughts below.
I completely understand that these message boards are designed for People to leave comments and opinion. I also am aware that SBI has complete authority and legal right to delete, moderate and edit as well as revoke posting privelidges. However, I feel that my post was deleted unfairly. Taking into consideration that my post was written intelligently and in no way shape or form offensive to anyone and all parties involved as opposed to the response written by “Jimmy”. If you read his post, his comments were completely offensive to me and I, as a loyal SBI follower and contributor to these boards am completely dissapointed that a moderator would delete my comment but yet not have anything to declare in regards to Jimmy’s offensive post about me. I feel that if my comment is not reposted by SBI, then There is a double standard that is being enabled by the SBI moderators. IF you compare my statements to those of “Jimmy’s” you will not see anything offensive in it. I am not saying Jimmy should get reprimanded, however I feel that my comment was unfairly removed. Taking into consideration what I was responding to and in the manor that I responded to it I should get a pat on the back for not reciprocating what Jimmy inteded for me to do which is to verbally assault him as he did to me.
Please explain to me the reason shy my post was deleted? Because I was accused of “seriously” believing that Stuart Holden was actually posting on the board posing as “Jimmy”?
My comment was filled with sarcasm in it and was very humorous. It was not offensive in any manor.
So while Jimmy’s comments are validated by the enviornment that SBI creates, my non-offensive comment is deleted by SBI…
The message I am receiving here is that my comment was deleted…not because it was offensive but because my Comment was percieved to be Off-base. Well, correct me if I am wrong here but I was under the impression that comments are opinions and opinions are what actually drive this particular section of the message boards. Am I off-base? or will you be deleting this comment as well? –
I can appreciate many of the comments here on this board. What I don’t appreciate is being called an idiot…and having people tell me to “Suck on it” especially when I was just giving my opinion.
By the comments that were made, I have no doubt in my mind that Jimmy has a Holden jersey in his closet and follows Holden religiously. WIth that said, instead of directly adressing Jimmy and getting into a war of words spewing insults back and forth…I decided to get under Jimmy’s skin by saying that Holden was actually on the board and defending his abilities Posing as “Jimmy”.
Im not trying to toot my own horn here…but that was genious.
If anything…you should have scolded Jimmy for the venom he was spitting out…not me (laughs)If you cant see the humor in that…I dont know what to tell you
On that note…repost my comment so others can appreciate it?-
It will be extremely difficult for Bradley not to take Jones if he’s playing at club. Imagine him passing over a healthy Jones for Beasley or Kjlestan, and they go out in three. Sunil would push him over-board.
Dude I was just stating fact that he is NOT cap tied to the Dutch, nothing more. If he becomes a US Citizen and continues to play well, great, if he doesn’t that’s fine too. He isnt going to help us in South Africa(where we needs forwards). We don’t know who could emerge next cycle, he may not be good enough for us anyway.
There is no way EJ should ever make the team. He is a huge dissapointment. He has all the tools to be a great player, but he just does not use them. He is fast, athletic, and skillful on the ball. But, when he plays for the national team all he does is collect it and pass back to the person who gave it to him. We need him to take players on and attack the goal. He is to timid and can not be used.
We are overlooking someone… Jermaine Jones. He is a top Midfielder in the Bundesliga and should be fit in time for the WC. He could partner Bradley in the middle with the option of Clark on the bench.
I like Dempsey up top. He is no good on the wing because he does not like to play defense. It slows him down when he has to be a two way player. He always seems to net a goal when he plays as a striker.
Please do not even talk about EJ… he has done nothing for the national team since he got turf toe. He is the most annoying player to watch, has all the tools but does nothing with them. He will not make this team.
I like Dempsey at forward. I personally think he is a liability in the USA version of the 4 4 2 because of his defense. He is an offensive player who needs a little freedom to roam around. That said, if Davies was to get healty and shows that he can play 90. (big ask). What is the starting pair? Altidore Davies? Davies Dempsey? Altidore Dempsey?
come on this comment is silly… none of us should be the coach probably… but he has a point there is no way of knowing if davies will be any good, there just isn’t I hope he shows himself to be good enough to go. I want him to go. but we just don’t know yet.
Adu shouldn’t go, but Obama def should make it… we have seen what he is capable of right now.
I’ll admit I’ve seen less of Bedoya than I have of Adu but at least he’s not sitting on a bench or in the stands in Europe like Freddy has been for the past year. All accounts I’ve read said that Bedoya was the standout player at the US January camp and he looked good in his two subsequent appearances for the Nats. Plus he’s started all four games for Obrero in Sweden so far. Adu’s started only once and was an unused sub four times in the last five games. Freddy is so far off the radar that even sportswriters have stopped mentioning his name.
I’m not sold on only taking seven defenders to Africa(I’m not considering Edu as a backup D since he hasn’t played there since what, the Olympics?). If Bob is planning on rotating Bocanegra from LB to CB so as to stretch seven players through typically 8 defensive roster spots, then all our defenders better be 100% healthy. Defending is the one aspect of the game where the U.S. can’t afford to get cute. Our defense will determine how well far we advance in the WC. I think Spector should start at LB vs. England since that’s where he plays in the EPL. That means Cherundolo starts at RB. But I don’t think ‘Dolo has enough gas in his tank to start all three 1st Round games. Therefore Spector should start at least once at RB. But what if either one has to miss a game through suspension or injury? Too many potential disasters with only seven defenders. Gotta bring eight. Even if you decide to play Spector and ‘Dolo exclusively at RB (which BTW means one of our two best outside defenders sits on the bench during each
WC game), then we’re thin at the other spots. My solution would be to bring Simek as the (3rd choice) RB and platooning Spector and Boca at LB, leaving Bornstein (where he belongs) as the third choice at that position. This way you can still put your best options out on the field while still having Bornstein and Simek as last resorts.
Gomez over Casey.
However, if you can’t agree to that, you have to agree to give Gomez a call up in the last two friendlies, and I would also say that for Castillo. Bornsuck at this point should just be considered a bench player at that. His MLS play has been subpar so not sure how his club play allows for a call up, but Gomez needs to still prove himself? Seriously what does Johnny have on all of the Yank supporters? Does he have some naked pics of your girlfriends that hes threating to post on Facebook? The guy’s international and club play has SUCKED for the better part of a year now. Ugh. Whatever. Im not going down this road, I know how the blind come to defend him.
All I’m saying, Gomez gets a call up for the last two games, EVEN IF HE DOESN’T blow the socks off all of us, he STILL gets the call at forward. The man has more technical skill the Casey and Ching has in their toes. Not to mention both have had their looks, and with the exception of Ching, have been average at best most of the time.
I’ll say this though. I bet your list comes close to Bunker Bob’s roster….
Why have outfielders when you could stick three more pitchers out there? Answer: You need both.
Zoiks, them’s slim pickins when you hang your hat on a two game scoring streak.
(SBI-Primoone, I appreciate your contributions to the comments section, but in this case you really lost the plot actually believing Jimmy was Stuart Holden. Seriously? You’re giving yourself a little too much credit. National team players do read the SBI comments section, but I’m willing to bed good money there aren’t many coming on here to defend themselves. And in this instance, unless Holden was in Tallahassee, Florida for some reason, it WAS NOT Holden.)
Going without a goal for a game means nothing. Even Messi punctuates each hat trick with a goalless game. In fact… hey wait a second, that’s what happens every single time! That seems fishy to me.
Anywho, good lookin out dog
Ives, who are our top 23 Americans in terms of games played? Madmax has my boy Chris Klein starting in midfield for the Nats.
Right now:
Herc > Casey
Torres goes ’cause he’s the only US Nat with an ESPN documentary.
Also, Pearce > Johnny B.
Chivas USA needs Johnny B and Sacha more than Bob Bradley.
Nice one!
Gomez scores goals when playing as a forward for LA…..then stops scoring goals when playing wide for Colorado and KC…..now he is scoring goals again playing forward for Puebla. Seems like his positioning could have influenced how many goals he scored.
I would be happy to give Buddle a shot if he keeps up his good form. I give credit where it is due…Buddle has been playing well. You should do the same for Gomez
Bedoya did ok in one of the friendlies, but not better than what Beasley or Adu has shown when having minutes or have shown in the last 3 months. Bedoya is someone we call in the collecting business as nothing but HYPE. Hype is when people blow up a player that hasn’t proven himself. I’ll admit, the kid seems like a salad player, but to pick him over an Adu & Beasley is ridiculous for now. Adu & Beasely have shown that when they get playing time, they are little monsters!
Casey?? Oh please, NOOOOO!! Bring Hercules instead. I rather see a player who hasn’t had much playing time in a USMNT jersey than a guy who can be ourun by a turtle and be outkicked by an 11yr old girl.
Jones is not on the roster because he is not expected to make a recovery in time. Jones cannot even run without feeling pain in his leg…..last I heard Charlie was able to run at a decent pace and is expected to be back on the field with Sochaux before the end of the season.
Not sold on McBride for SA…..didn’t exactly stand out at WC 2006.
good catch. fire bob. he’s an awful coach.
yes, i am a jerk who actually knows about the sport. you obviously don’t if you actually think ching is a “great player.” ching is awful. the only time he scores is when he plays crap opponents (in mls or against garbage concacaf teams). against a real defense he provides nothing. he can’t create his own chances, something a quality forward does and is, as you point out, completely reliant on others to put him in dangerous situations.
What exactly do all these blogs keep seeing in Connor Casey. I feel nervous when he starts for the US vs Barbados! If Casey didn’t have Omar Cummings on his team, it would show you experts how poor his work rate is. Stop picking the safe choice and go out on a limb with someone new. No Casey, No Ching, No Cunningham.
Torres is a midfielder youplay the ball through he links passes.
V Holland Baby Bradkey did not use him. He looked to push the ball. Therefore the best attribute Torres has was lost..
If they use Torres in games 2&3 as I think they should this has to be looked at.
Edu and Bradley v England
Forward depth chart determined 95% by in form in May.
I think a 4-2 -3 – 1 should be tried. Playing 3 of the 5 at once. Landon and Torres and Dempsey being the 3
hahahahhaahahahha!!! Love it!
According to ESPN, Beasley did not play again today. I can only guess that Rangers are afraid he’ll get injured again and they won’t be able to move him. Does anyone know why he’s sitting out again?
You have absolutely no clue what you’re saying. Holden can play EVERY MF position, he has one of the best first touches on the team… He’s an absolute game changer the times hes come off the bench for the USMNT, have you even watched a freaking game hes played in? Personally I think you’re an idiot. Personally I highly doubt youve watched any of the 2 games where Holden has started for Bolton. He was by far the best player on the field for Bolton against Tottenham. Took all the free kicks for both games and maybe had ONE that wasn’t top notch.
Read what his manager says about him, he said Holden is getting his starting spot once he comes back from injury. I’ve never seen Holden have a horrible game as with Rico and all those other players you named have had. Hes consistent as hell and has risen to the occasional in EVERY MAJOR GAME hes been in. Taking a PK in the MLS Cup, being a super sub in the WCQs, and being the best player on Bolton in each game hes played in.
You can say he’s overrated but he’s been consistent and is getting better. You talk like you havn’t watched one game hes played… and why would you? you obviously hate on him for no reason other than hes not a superstar yet. You think hes not going to be taking corners and free kicks along with LD in the WC? because he is and you’re gunna have to suck on it when they’re good
Wait your wrong freddy has proven he can make the team in one way.. he’s a pro in warming the european benchs and south africa is very cold so he’ll be very usefull for that wow i can believe u forgot that
Claudio Renya goes to Chicago Fire games??
If that was Sarcasm…it was pretty damn funny.
I dont see it even when i watch him play most games. He is serviceable…but not a game changer like Bradley, Dempsey, LD Josi, Davies, Gooch. He plays the same way rico, feilhaber, bornstien and Sasha play..AVERAGE. And as average players, they should come off the bench and play that sub role. So I don’t get all this worry about Holden not being fit or not making it in time for the Cup…You probably have 2-3 other Holden’s you can fit in that spot. Personally, I wouldnt mind seeing Bedoya, Adu or even LD playing that right wing.
you obviously didnt watch the one game holden played in the prem then
That last one qulaifies him to go to Europe.
just some food for thought…
Herculez did score on MLS defenders IN BUNCHES when he was played in the position that he currently plays in with Puebla which happens to be striker.
So by your reasonning…Jones (if fit) should not be called in to the squad at this point?
Cooper would be a lot better off if he hadn’t hurt his knee.
That’s not entirely accurate. Charlie’s play ignited everyone.
But you may not, and probably won’t get that play.
What you risk is having 10 men trying to make up for 1 man, always a risky proposition, especially in such an intense tournament setting. What you are proposing is that the US handicap itself from the get go. This is near suicide for a team that wins on the finest of margins at its best.
On the other hand it would make great TV for ESPN for three games. But me, I like to win.
Charlie has no business being on the team if he is nothing more than , as you are suggesting, a professional cheerleader.
“(Bob is familiar with him too -which appears to be important to Bob). ”
So let me get this straight. If you were the manager of the USMNT you would pick players who you were not familiar with?
Maybe you get on SBI and say “well most of those guys say player X is great, so I should bring him up to the team.”
Well that’s one way to do it.
JB is a converted LB. His natural position is Forward. He is inconsistent because that is not his natural position. Unfortunately, if you are inconsistent as a defender, you should not be a defender that goes for defending at any level.
Isaac and dwitty,
For that matter I’ve seen Bornstein, Rogers and Holden rip shots from distance.
dwitty, is that how you rate a player?
-lets be real about that…Casey hasnt played for 90 since prior to blowing out both his ACLs. He walks 90 min. Hell, my grandpa off his Rascal moves more than Casey…My wife moved a lot more than casey right after her water broke…Eduardo de silva rolled around on the floor more than Casey can move on the pitch and with a compound fracture no less…
mwc,
Well, besides the 2002 World Cup and his 2004 (?) season with PSV, I’ve found DMB to be consistently underwhelming. You could look at the Holland game as an aberration. He was back in Holland, playing against some old friends, playing against a team that, regardless of what anyone says, wasn’t taking the US all that seriously.
I wouldn’t mind if he made the roster but I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t and I’ve watched him for 8 years.
The fact that he is still a serious candidate is an indication of just how thin the US talent pool is.
In addition to that…because he has won titles with this club, taught how to play outside of the US in the Youth system of the birthplace of Mexican soccer. And he starts.
Oh…and he has a Fine-A** girlfriend.
You know…i did replace those words, and taking into consideration that the comparison was made between Connor “hands on my knees after 15 minutes of play” Casey and Cooper…It still made sense.
Because he plays in the Mexican league…
yeah…your preaching to the choir. We have Bornstien remember?
Look man…no disrespect or anything. However, I dont think you know what you are talking about.
to imply that Adu should be taken over torres simply because Torres doesnt score is just a bit ignorant. Think about the context in which they play for their respective clubs. In addition to that, they have 2 different styles of play that cater to what the team is trying to accomplish.
Im a huge Adu suporter but the fact that he is in need of some major attitude adjustments is reason enough to leave him in Greece during the world cup. Torres plays effectively in the context of what Pachuca is trying to accomplish. Adu is having issues impressing at his respective clubs. It may have to do with his work ethic and attitude.
I don’t get it, why does Conor Casey get the automatic inclusion? I get that a short run of amazing form by Gomez doesn’t mean he’s on the team, but what has Casey done to give him the right to be on the team? It really does work both ways…
dont believe the hype…Holden is over-rated.