The CONCACAF Gold Cup is now less than ten weeks away, and with the U.S. men’s national team having its final two friendlies before June, players hoping for spots on the roster have done what they can do on the national team level to impress head coach Bob Bradley and earn a place on the U.S. roster.
Players can still impress or fall behind based on club form, but it’s a safe bet that Bradley has a good idea which players he’s going to choose from when he selects his 23-man roster in May.
Forward Juan Agudelo and defenders Timmy Chandler and Tim Ream were the big winners in the national team’s most recent camp and set of friendlies, with each of them looking like good bets to make the Gold Cup roster when it wasn’t too long ago that all three were either considered long shots or weren’t even on the radar.
Our Projected Gold Cup roster for the month of March isn't much different from our February Roster Projection, with Timmy Chandler and Jay DeMerit joining the squad, while Stuart Holden and Clarence Goodson were not on this month's projection.
Here is a closer look at the players who look like the best bets to make this summer’s U.S. Gold Cup roster:
PROJECTED 2011 Gold Cup Roster
GOALKEEPERS– Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan
DEFENDERS– Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu, Timmy Chandler, Jonathan Spector, Eric Lichaj, Tim Ream, Jay DeMerit
MIDFIELDERS– Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Benny Feilhaber, Alejandro Bedoya
FORWARDS– Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Edson Buddle, Teal Bunbury
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Here are some thoughts on the picks:
GOALKEEPER– As we reported in our last projection, Brad Guzan is getting married this summer, but the word we're getting is that it's not a sure bet that he misses the entire tournament. We can see David Yelldell getting the call if Guzan winds up missing the tournament.
DEFENDERS– The surprising omission from this group is Clarence Goodson, who gets edged out by the emergence of Tim Ream and the return of Jay DeMerit. Goodson could play himself onto the team (he's out with a broken toe), but it could be tough going. As for fullback, we don't have a left back on the squad to back up Carlos Bocanegra, so you could still see someone like Heath Pearce or Zach Loyd edging out a Lichaj, but after another shaky match I can't put Jonathan Bornstein on this list.
MIDFIELDERS– No real surprises here. Alejandro Bedoya gets the call over Mikkel Diskerud, who failed to get a minute despite being called up for the March friendlies. Bedoya helps fill the need for players who can play on the wing, but Bedoya could also provide an attacking option in the middle. The rest of the group seems pretty clear-cut, though you wonder if Ricardo Clark can play his way onto the radar with a good two months with Eintracht Frankfurt.
FORWARDS– The same quartet as last month. Jozy Altidore is slumping but is still a safe bet to make the team. Juan Agudelo solidified his place on the squad. Edson Buddle is a big option while Bunbury remains a good option. Buddle and Bunbury beat out Wondolowski and Eddie Johnson.
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What do you think of the squad? Which players do you think should be on the squad? Which players do you are you surprised to see included in our projection?
Share your thoughts below.
SBI – I believe his struggles has been going for a while now. in his prior friendlies he wasn’t making a bad pass because he was passing it to goodson to distribute or passing it back to the golie. His confidence is shot yet he gets a pass to the starting 11 every time. To say is playing well, is looking at it through rose color glasses. sad.
Please just let Charlie complete an entire season before we start talking about him being thrown into the USMNT roster.
How bad would it be to bring him in too quickly and he has an awful performance? Why not wait until his form is on point so he can succeed rather than fizzle out.
If you’re a fan of CD9, you should want him to not be called in until he’s in the best form possible so he can stay in the USMNT lineup.
How is confidence his biggest hurdle when he’s calling for taking PKs and making them? Pretty sure his biggest hurdle is getting his weapon of speed back.
Yeah!!!!
Hmm, nice to see that Guzan might not be missing the tournament. I mean a wedding is, what? A half hour ceremony, three hour reception? Plenty of time to play Mexico around that (I kid, I kid).
I think that we’re going to see Kljestan not because he’s necessarily the better player, but because between him and Mixx, he’s the guy who got some minutes in the friendlies this past week. Don’t know if I agree, but I think that that’s the way that BB will think.
If Lichaj is edged out by Heath Pearce, some **** is going to go down. I’d prefer having Lichaj, a RB with some LB experience, behind Boca than Pearce. I’m also not thrilled with Spector being included as a defender (think that he still will be, though), but I guess that I wouldn’t mind seeing him tested out at CB at some point. The combination of the fact that we know how good Cherundolo still is and the performances put in by the young guys in the friendlies just seems to take him out of the running for RB entirely.
No way he’s behind Buddle. Better question is whether Chandler’s emergence as a right mid candidate pushes Dempsey or Donovan up top with Agudelo. If Dolo and/or Lihaj can cover the back, Chandler looks to be quite a new weapon for us.
Bedoya just got signed by MLS!!!!!!!!!!!
Lichaj just seems too good to be left home. Yes, he’s behind Chandler in line for RB, but he still has the possibility of LB/Chandler being moved up to the wing.
But yes, I agree that Spector’s experience and versatility might give him a leg up with the managers, even if Lichaj was, in my opinon, more impressive.
SBI opinied that maybe it’s worth taking a look at Cherundolo at left back. I wholeheartedly agree. Chandler is too good to leave on the bench, but so is Cherundolo and so is ‘Boca for that matter.
After these past two friendlies I think that as long as everyone stays healthy the only real question is what to do about left back. That and I could see Spector or Clark getting a call over Kljestan, if for no other reason that they can play defense or midfield, and BB sticks by his project players (Clark) which is sadly exactly why I expect JB will be going as well. I swear it’s like banging a head against a wall while chewing on tinfoil.
here’s what I want to see:
——Altidore————–
————-Agudelo——-
Donovan————-Dempsey
————-Bradley——–
——-Jones—————-
Boca—————–Cherundolo
——-Ream—DeMerit——
———–Howard———–
subs that see playing time for tactical reasons:
Feilhaber, Edu, Bocanegra, Buddle, Chandler, Gooch (if healthy)
subs that come on in the event of injury Bedoya Guzan Spector.
And in an alternate universe where age and up n’ coming trumps experience and seniority? maybe we’d see this….
——Bunbury————–
————-Agudelo——-
Bedoya—————-Chandler
————-Junior——–
——-Edu—————-
Loyd—————–Lichaj
——-Ream—Goodson——
———–Guzan———–
not a bad JV squad I’ve gotta say…..
bring Lloyd over Spector. spector just isn’t good. might as well see if we can find a solution at LB
Whatever happened to Edgar Castillo?
Becajerman? C’mon…. the last thing we need is another utility non attacking midfielder in the pool… we already have a bajillion.
that is all.
CD9!
Davies or Wondo over Buddle please… I would think Buddle not playing at all against Argentina and Paraguay would tell you something. He is not only playing for FC Ingoldstadt, but is apparently on bad form because of it. Its kind of the same story for Feilhaber. I would say maybe call Goodson since you know Chandler can play midfield as well or better than RB.
So Davies/Wondo for Buddle
&
Goodson for Feilhaber imo
but otherwise I agree
Why Davies? He has scored 3 goals so far, yes 2 were PK’s, but I see him continuing the goal scoring because of the growing confidence.
He probably makes the All-Star team.
shut. up.
Replace Bedoya with Diskerud. Replace Bundury wit Charlie Davies only if he keeps up his MLS form.
Can’t imagine Bornstein doesn’t get called in. I want to say he takes Bedoya’s spot on the list, but the point about a lack of wingers makes that tough. If Bedoya does come to MLS, it really might depend on how he does with his new squad. We have a legit four deep at right back and a waiting list to play in the central midfield. I can’t see Bradley leaving Bornstein home with the idea that Lichaj or Spector can backup Bocanegra. He seems to values players who are familiar with the system and Bornstein (like him or not) has a lot of minutes with the A-team. Chandler is a lock and Spector offers utility and familiarity. Maybe Lichaj is left home. Tough calls.
Sasha should not see the US kit until after the GC. He hasn’t showed anything since the Sweden match 900 yrs ago. What happens if CD9 is leading MLS in goals come June?
I always thought “Why does BB like Torres so much?”. I just can’t see him fitting in a team like ours. His style just doesn’t fit ours and probably never will.
Interesting Ives….I think it will be tough for Bradley to leave Spector at home because of this versatility you mention. He can play every position but goalie for heck sake…he may not be seeing time but he is a valuable asset…..
unfortunately he can and he will
well two out of four not bad – Convey if he continues to play well should be on that roster and I’ll always take anyone over kljestan but Cooper over Buddle or Pearce over Lichaj? Not a fan of those picks.
I think we need a defensive unit with everyone named Tim and we’ll be alright. so, only 2 more spots to fill
Doubt it, Ponce hasn’t been considered for the Mexican squad at any level.
Why does Double B hate Torres so much?
Poor Ives is just like the average fans now when it comes to NY guys or potential guys…..one decent match and everything changes. Goodson is 10000% lock to be on this GC team and start unless he’ injured. In BB’s eyes he is our #1 CB! Ives please top being a fan and try to become more detached and not fall for the flavor on the week.
(SBI-I’m hardly the only person who thought Ream did very well. As for Goodson, he could definitely make the team, but when on earth has Bob Bradley come close to calling Goodson the top centerback in the pool? Guess that’s why he played him ZERO minutes at the World Cup.)
wow that is weird, what’s worse is that Jozy’s wiener is sticking out or else he is going to the bathroom
Hate to see Goodson left out. There is an injury issue there, but he looked great every time he played for the national team. Set piece threat as well. Didn’t Onyewu and DeMerit both pick up small injuries in these last two friendlies? Take Goodson and leave off a midfielder. Spector and Chandler can play midfield.
(SBI-I can definitely see Goodson going, but with Bocanegra and Spector capable of playing centerback, as well as Edu, bringing Ream, Onyewu and DeMerit should be enough cover. Now, if Onyewu isn’t healthy then Spector goes. Otherwise you’re talking about leaving either Lichaj or Spector home. Lichaj is a possibility I suppose, but he’s also got some experience at left back on the club level so he could help that way.)
April 1st buddy
He’s playing well… in the Eredivisie, a league notorious for sh*t defending. See him get shredded in the Europa League matches, though.
(SBI-Shredded? Haha. Exaggerate much?)
I am a Bornstein fan, I love the guy, but he’s not USMNT 1st string material right now. He could be down the road if FMF improves his football. Right now we could really use Bobby Convey backing up Boca at LB. Convey had an elite year in MLS last season and can serve pinpoint crosses in from 30-40 yards out.
come on spencer…you don’t have to be a starter for your club to play on the USMNT….ask Michael Bradley.
Sasha had a good game playing a weak team like Paraguay (don’t take my work for it, look at the ratings), so I guess he’s in too
Just saying….
I have never really seen any club matches for them – we don’t get mid-table Norwegian or Swedish matches over here I guess. Are they shredding over there, or something? I haven’t really heard much. So strange the hype that surrounds Diskeruud and the constant calls for Bedoya to be reinstated.
I agree he is behind Agudelo, but I’m not sure about Buddle.
WHAT ABOUT BECKERMAN HE’S BEEN OUTSTANDING FOR REAL SALT LAKE
Perhaps speculating about soccer rosters is not for you.
Let’s ignore the fact that he’s now playing in the Bundesliga and doing quite well.
Right, but he will have already made his “return to Canada”… this weekend… in Vancouver… which is in Canada.
This makes me think of an interesting question (at least its interesting to me…):
Is MLS as a league to the point where an in form player, playing very well and consistently, trumps a European player riding the pine, not in the best form, or not playing consistently?
it’s not like Bradley will call him without merit, he definitely understands Bornstein’s shortcomings, how could he not? but he may get the call for one reason only… who else would back up Boca? Lloyd had a good debut, but that unless he lights up MLS for the next 2 months, donning him the next LB for us is jumping the gun a whole lot. i have given up on Pearce even more than Bornstein, as bad as he is, at least he looks like he is trying, which i can’t say for Pearce, who isn’t even that good in MLS
Agreed…Cooper? though I would like to see Convey get a chance
SBI has an unhealthy crush on Alejandro Bedoya. He will not make the team.
The final midfielder will be Mix Diskerud.
(SBI-You might want to grow up. Us thinking a player is better than you think he is does not “a crush” make. As for Diskerud making it ahead of Bedoya, the Diskerud who didn’t get a minute in the friendlies? We’ll see what happens in May.)
hasn’t exactly been tearing it up with the Galaxy? oh yea, in the one game he’s played with them this season. what, should he have scored a hat trick and get an assist in one game?
stop jumping to conclusions. every player get’s rusty. every. single. one. he had his first break in a year and a half and is getting back into full match fitness, give him a few more games, he hasn’t lost it just by our perception of 3 performances.
that being said, i agree, he is wasting his prime years in MLS. i love MLS, but he may have missed his shot to play in Europe for more than a few months at a time if he doesn’t go very, very soon
This is a good question. I asked during the last live chat (not today’s) and the answer was more or less “slow down there.” Since then though, Charlie has scored 3 goals in two games. Sure, 2 were PKs, but that brings confidence, and according to everything I’ve read, that’s his biggest hurdle right now.
A Team: Confeds cup in Brazil ’13 is more important.
To go with their cursed goalies.
I don’t see how you drop Demerit. He’s our best CB right now based on his performance in this last two friendlies and the WC. Maybe drop Onyewu who hasn’t performed in a long time and has horrible passing and quickness. At one point against Argentina I thought the US players should stop passing him the ball because he’d likely screw up or easily give up possession. But, long term we need to develop some younger CB’s and Ream now looks ready to step up.
click on photo. zoom.
feel intimidated by demps.
when is april fools?
I signed with Arsenal…I heard they were looking for old, slow, and fat RB’s.