Top Stories

More notes on the USA Gold Cup squad

Bob Bradley (ISIPhotos.com)

As the news of the U.S. national team Gold Cup roster selections sink in, here are some highlights from Bob Bradley's conference call explaining his decisions:

Timmy Chandler was left off because it was decided he needed a rest after playing an extensive number of minutes for the first time in his pro career, and playing in the Gold Cup would have left him with little time to recover before the next German season. The sense here is that the U.S. team wanted Chandler, but ultimately reached an understanding with him and his club team, Nuremberg.

It should be noted that at 21, and in his first season with the first team, Chandler wasn't in much of a position to go against his club's wishes and not risk hurting his standing with Nuremberg. If Chandler were a veteran player in a better standing, he would have been better positioned to insist on playing in the Gold Cup.

Alejandro Bedoya's exclusion was purely a personnel decision, and Bradley made no mention of having an issue with taking Bedoya from his team. Looking at the squad, it looks as though Bradley simply chose Robbie Rogers over Bedoya, despite the fact that Bedoya is playing the best soccer of his young professional career (and despite the fact that Rogers has been steady though hardly outstanding this season for Columbus).

Bradley noted that Rogers provides the team with a good flank option and started the season well with Columbus.

"Thus far his mobility and energy with (the Crew) have been good," Bradley said. "We all know that Robbie has a lot of talent."

Freddy Adu earned his place due to his strong form with Turkish second-division side Rizespor. Bradley hasn't been to Turkey to see Adu play in person, but he has watched his games via computer.

"Typically playing in the second division in Turkey doesn't bring you back into the scene," Bradley said. "He's shown us soccer qualities that will help our team.

"It seems like a good opportunity to get him back in with us, where we have a good month together and challenge him and hope that he has continued to grow and mature."

Jonathan Bornstein was chosen because he's always fit and ready, even if he's not playing regularly for his club. His experience with the national team, particularly at left back and against CONCACAF competition, clearly led to the selection.

Chris Wondolowski was taken because he is on good form with San Jose.

"As we watched different games, we felt strongly that Chris Wondolowski was in good form, has scored some very good goals and seems to be a player that gets a couple of chances every game," Bradley said.

(CORRECTION– Jay DeMerit and Brad Davis are NOT Gold Cup alternates for the USMNT.)

——

We'll have a more detailed report on Bradley's conference call shortly. For now, feel free to tell us which players you were happy to see make the squad, and which picks surprised you the most.

Share your thoughts on the U.S. squad below.

Comments

  1. Have you followed these players recently? There is no comparison in terms of form. One has been seeing regular PT in a strong league and some Champions League. The other has been riding pine in Mexico.

    Look I love the potential of JFT, but he is not yet up to speed internationally. Something he has himself admitted. Kljestan can be frustratingly inconsistant,but his size, speed, and yes skill make him dangerous against anybody.

    Reply
  2. 2nd Division Turkish League is slightly better than MLS. I’m sorry to say it and it won’t always be the case, but it’s just facts. That being said, I think we could have done better than Adu.

    Reply
  3. Well said Cahill – agree 100%.. (see my comments above) – The point I make is that BB had the opportunity to lock Chandler down, really demonstrate some loyalty to a guy who wants to play for the US.. and theres a good chance that one of two things happenned.. 1) If the story he tells is somewhat true, he got pushed around and a more respected coach would have boldly stated “this is my guy and hes on our roster”..no other National Team coach would get pushed around like that… OR.. if Timmy is having 2nd thoughts and wants to retain his ability to go back to Germany, not a check in the plus column for BB or USMNT.. either way.. I dont like it

    Reply
  4. Yeah – I don’t think it’s a crippling loss. Still sad to see him left off and would prefer him to be there.

    Reply
  5. Extremely professional and well spoken response-
    So allow me to refer to the boards here as well as others; including both the CNN Blog as well as the Jeff Carlisle article; where he clearly points out that Chandler can still go back to Germany if he would like..

    So as I agree the vast majority of others who clearly disagree with BB’s decision.. so I dont stand alone – I merely point out that BB’s job is to protect our interests, and field the most effective team both now and in the future – a thing he clearly has not done – I point out the he is weak because a more respected and effective coach would never have allowed this to happen…period, fact, end of sentence. In fact, it would have been a bolder statement for Bradley to show loyalty and belief in his young rising talent..and at the end of the day if Timmy has the skills, Nuremburg will play him..period, fact, end of sentence.

    As far as your comment about my boss.. well GW, Im my own boss, I own my own company, I dont have to wake up everyday like you thinking about blowing..or my bosses rear end..

    Instead I just check my net Schedule C each year on my tax returns and smile at those numbers.. and thank the man above that my intials arent GW

    Reply
  6. Mexico will win, because USA has an doofis for a coach, i’d rather have Gump then Bradley, at least he can see right from wrong.

    Reply
  7. Your argument of playing time is moot with the inclusions of Jozy, Gooch, M Bradley and Adu(2nd tier Turkey???)…

    Reply
  8. The whole point of having Freddy Adu around in the first place is because he can break games open by himself with the ball at his feet. Probably going to come in handy against CONCACAF bunker ball teams.

    Reply
  9. I wouldn’t worry about Mixx. He said himself that his target is to make the Olympic team, not the Gold Cup. I think he’s a smart kid, and when he chose the USA he knew the roster was deep at his position. He’ll get his shot, but with Feilhaber on the roster, Mixx wasn’t needed.

    Reply
  10. Oh, for sure he’d be the first of those options to come off the bench. I completely agree with that. However, I don’t think he’s all that far ahead of Lichaj, and because Lichaj was available, maybe USSF didn’t feel it was worth battling FCN over this.

    Reply
  11. One person plays and logs major minutes for Royal Sporting Club Anderlech in Belgium, a club that beat Ajax and Athletic Bilbao in Europa League (2009-2010) and the other person plays and doesnt always start for Pachuca…….

    Reply
  12. Bunbury was pure unadulterated crap against LA (perhaps BB was there to see that turd). Yeah, yeah…can’t base it on one game but it was BAD. Why no Buddle at WC (starting/more prominent sub role) and now GC?

    Reply
  13. Bob hates Convey, which is unfortunate. He’s been the best left back in the USA for the last 2 years and can’t get a sniff of the NATS.

    Reply
  14. +1 Not sure why this guy was left off the roster. Most likely one of our CB’s in the next WC run because of his age. Maybe Bob’s papa, Bruce, told him ‘no’.

    Reply
  15. Unfortunately for us Ives is a Bradley lover so trying to say that Michael didn’t earn the call up. All of this mambo jambo that he’s our best player is not a valid argument. Some of this call ups are terrible, at first I though wando was bad but we don’t have too many proven goal veteran goal scorers so it’s fine. But how do explain RR ore Bedoya. I hope we have a terrible showing so BoBo gets canned.

    Reply
  16. +1, Jen Chang is possibly the most euro-elitist, anti-American sportswriter in the American soccer press corps. I’m too lazy to cite this proposition, but if anyone strenuously disagrees, I’ll be happy to compile the evidence later. He manages to annoy me more than either Harkes or Wynalda, which is really saying something. He’s also always saying s4!t that just seems plain wrong.

    Reply
  17. Lets not blame the players, blame the coach. I personally would not have taken Kljestan over a Torres, he can at least put the ball in places Kljestan can’t. But the coach probably wants an offensive minded player even though he doesn’t play an offensive style.

    Reply
  18. The Chandler exclusion pretty much ruined my day. Hopefully he is not the next member of the Rossi/Subotic All-Stars.

    Reply
  19. Yeah, this is pretty much what I’m getting at. I just can’t imagine a promising youngster being left out of a Euro Cup squad for fatigue (though I may very well be wrong, and would be interested in an example or two if someone has them).

    I know some will say Euro 2012 is more important than Gold Cup 2011 to the soccer world — and I would agree with that — but the GC is the USMNT’s Euros.

    Regarding the depth chart – All valid points, but given how Chandler showed in the last two friendlies, I would think he’d be first off the bench of the outside backs (though, as this roster proves, my opinion and Bob Bradley’s aren’t in sync). I’d also go as far as to guess that he’d get at least one start in the competition (Guadeloupe?).

    Reply
  20. “it was a weak Bob Bradley”

    Really, so if BB goes macho man with Nuremburg, who don’t want Chadler to go then what? Who pays? It won’t be Bob.

    Chandler just broke into the first team so he doesn’t have the clout of a Messi or a Beckham.

    Guess who pays Chandler’s money; one clue, it ain’t the USSF.

    Let me know the next time you tell your boss to blow it out his rear end.

    Reply
  21. Chandler is not anywhere near the caliber of Germany (who I believe is the favorite to win the next World Cup). He’s a good player but not that good.

    Reply
  22. I don’t mind including Wondo, he has been scoring like crazy. Kljestan I have never been a big fan of and I would have liked to have seen Mix get a shot. But I can live with that. Choosing Rogers and Adu is just downright baffling. Ale Bedoya deserved inclusion, hands down, over both. I can think of no justification for choosing two players that seem to be in career-long slumps over a guy that is just starting to hit his top gear.

    As far as the Chandler-waiting-for-Germany fears, it was definitely my knee-jerk reaction, but I am reassured by the fact that Timmy will not be beating out Lahm at right back any time soon. Likewise, Germany has a wealth of young wingers.

    Reply
  23. “This decision is Chandler’s to make so he declined the call-up. ”

    I guess if your boss told you not to go on vacation you’d tell him to shove it up his rear end right? And feel really good about it?

    Nuremberg clearly don’t want him to play at the Gold Cup. Whether that is because they want him to rest up for next year or maybe because they have a big transfer lined up for him who knows?

    Chandler has just broken into the starting lineup and so it’s not like he’s Messi ( or Beckham)who can tell Barca (or the Galaxy) whatever he wants.

    Yes, BB could make a big stink but guess who would pay for it? Not BB.

    Just remember who pays the bills for Chandler. The USMNT just borrow their players, the clubs own them. Welcome to international football.

    Reply
  24. BB won’t give up on Bornstein, either, but that doesn’t mean it is a good thing.
    I want the best for all of our Nat players– but I think Clark has shown that he does fine against lesser competition but can’t hack it when the pressure is on. His skills are duplicated by players who are far superior, such as Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, and Edu– meaning there just isn’t room for him. Even if he has put in time at CB, so has Edu…

    Reply
  25. Credibility matters. Bob Bradley’s quotes sound like an automated voice mail with long arduous statements that seem to make sense until you say them over and over. He is either a genius, a village idiot or a politican. All that matters is how they play Go USA!!

    Reply
  26. Some thoughts:

    -The hype machine is definitely pointed in some new directions. I thought the internet would explode after Adu was selected and all everyone is talking about (with good reason) is Chandler’s exclusion.
    -Surprised JFT didn’t get the call, but if we’re looking for a hail-mary super-sub to break down a defense, Adu may legitimately have more upside so I can’t complain.
    -Kljestan has had many down moments but he’s getting time with a good club playing a position we need, and he’s versatile (can play a wing much better than JFT I believe.) So I can’t really complain about that.
    -I think Bedoya warrants a callup BUT: as has already been said, he’s on a hot-streak, middle of the season. I think Bradley is praying Dempsey and Donovan stay healthy (let’s face it, we’re in big trouble w/o them anyway) and that Bedoya wouldn’t get many minutes regardless (Klejstan and Feilhaber can both do okay on the wings.) Better to save favor with his club, and/or help him stay hot and get transferred, both of which will allow him to contribute more in the qualifiers (which are more important.) I agree with everyone who says he’s sucked in a Nats jersey so far, but he’s young and starting to light it up, and we have no good wings, so don’t write him off yet.
    -Rogers is a little baffling, but I guess Bradley would rather go with a known quantity who has faced these kinds of games before, than any other MLS options which may be superior skill-wise.
    -People whine constantly about “Bradley’s boys” being called in constantly, but national teams depend a lot on familiarity with a system and chemistry, since they are together for such short periods of time. I was surprised to see Bornstein and Kljestan (and Rogers) called in again, but for marginal players who may or may not see the field, sometimes it’s better to have guys who have played with the rest of the team more or who are known to be hard workers who won’t sulk if they don’t start (looking at you Heath Pearce, who I think is more talented than Bornstein.) Hopefully the locker-room benefit and on-field familiarity these guys bring will outweigh any slight deficiencies in talent relative to other guys (let’s face it, our potential replacements for them are not world-beaters.)
    -Bunbury has a bright future. Wondo is a straight-up finisher and we desperately need that, so in a high-stakes tourney like this, I’d rather have a slightly better goal-scorer than bring in a young guy to “build for the future” (same goes with the ‘JFT has greater upside than Kljestan’ people: I agree, but Kljestan is playing better right this moment and rightfully got the call.)

    Reply
  27. Actions speak louder than words. He can say whatever he wants but the fact of the matter is he won’t be playing for the US in the continental championship that gives access to the Confederations Cup in 2013. If this were the ’09 Gold Cup again it wouldn’t matter but it’s not.

    This decision is Chandler’s to make so he declined the call-up. FCN can tell him not to go but they are FIFA international dates so they can’t prevent him from coming.

    Who knows what’ll happen but I wouldn’t bury my head in the sand and pretend like he’s in the bag for us.

    Reply
  28. Chandler’s exclusion seems to be an indication that Germany may be calling him up – has Germany released its roster for the upcoming Euro qualifiers?

    Reply
  29. Mix isn’t cap tied yet either… and I think Norway has a Euro qualifier against the likes of Luxemburg later in the year… ever since he said he would join whichever called him up first (a couple years ago) I have been worried.

    Reply
  30. I just don’t really get why people keep saying Rogers doesn’t have skills. The kid can definitely take players on and shows great touch and a powerful shot. I hate to use YouTube videos, but just look at some of the things he does in this one

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U3h3FdNods&feature=channel_video_title

    If that’s not skill, I don’t know what is. I’m telling you, the guy’s issue is not that he doesn’t have the skills, he just doesn’t know what way he wants to use them. Bob Bradley did well to show him how to use them for his team, and he played well at a time when he was supposedly not in great form.

    Reply
  31. Other than your comment on Kljestan (who is getting regular minutes for a Europa / Champions League club), I agree. Cheers.

    Reply
  32. I understand your logic, but I have to think they would have been just fine with him riding the pine over the summer if we were Germany calling him up for Euro..

    I’m tired of people apologizing for the fact that Gold Cup is “expected” to be USA-Mexico final.. just cause it’s expected doesn’t mean it will happen, and it doesn’t mean that it’s not an important tournament all the same..

    I can understand the next Gold Cup not bothering, but with the Confed Cup on the line, this IS a big tournament for the USMNT

    Reply
  33. Altidore certainly looks better playing with ANYBODY as a second striker. He’s terrible in a 4-5-1, a formation for which he’s just really unsuited.

    When he’s playing with a second striker, his hold-up and team play is so much better, but when he gets isolated up top, he’s got a horrible tendency to dribble straight into a double-team, and contrary to what Jozy thinks, he’s got neither the speed nor the dribbling ability to do that successfully.

    Reply
  34. who does everyone think the best CB is? Everything ive heard sounds like Goodson had a very promising end of the season with his club

    Reply

Leave a Comment