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The CONCACAF Gold Cup is just two weeks away, meaning the wait to see Bob Bradley's U.S. national team roster for the tournament is almost over.
Bradley will announce his roster this afternoon, and while a good number of roster spots are easy enough to project, there are still a handful of spots clearly up for grabs.
Whether it's the No. 3 goalkeeper spot, the back-up left back spot, the final two midfield places and the fourth forward selection, there are more than enough roster slots still in doubt to make this afternoon's announcement just a little bit suspenseful.
So who do I see Bradley selecting today? Here's one last projection of the roster:
SBI PROJECTED U.S. GOLD CUP ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS – Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, David Yelldell
DEFENDERS – Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu, Tim Ream, Clarence Goodson, Timmy Chandler, Jonathan Spector, Heath Pearce.
MIDFIELDERS – Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Jermaine Jones, Benny Feilhaber, Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan
FORWARDS – Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Herculez Gomez
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Here are some thoughts on the picks and who just missed our cut:
GOALKEEPERS – The question is the third goalkeeper spot. Brad Guzan is getting married this summer, so with him unlikely to be named the question becomes whether Bradley goes with an MLS keeper like Nick Rimando, who can stay with RSL unless needed, or will Bradley turn to Yelldell in an effort to get him better integrated with the national team set-up.
DEFENDERS – The first seven slots among defenders seem like locks, especially with Jay DeMerit's recent injury spell likely ruling him out. That leaves an eight spot presumably for a left-footed defender, natural left back ideally. Jonathan Bornstein has experience with the team, but just hasn't seen much playing time. Zak Whitbread is coming off a stellar season with Norwich City, and has some experience at left back.
So why do we go with Heath Pearce? He has an edge over Bornstein in that he's actually been playing regularly (and playing very well for Chivas USA, though at centerback rather than left back) and he has an edge over Whitbread in that he's actually got more experience in the national team set-up than Whitbread. Bradley's track record says he goes Bornstein, but we'll throw Pearce in as our surprise inclusion.
So why not other MLS defenders, like George John and Omar Gonzalez? Right now Onyewu, Goodson, Ream, Bocanegra and Whitbread are all rated above them for now. John and Gonzalez are worthy picks, but lose out to depth.
(UPDATE-Yes, I did forget to include Eric Lichaj, who's definitely on the radar. He's been on our projected 23 before, and since he saw regular playing time at Leeds, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see him get the nod, especially if Bradley believes he can provide cover at left back).
MIDFIELDERS – The first five names are automatic, and the way Alejandro Bedoya is playing in Sweden it is safe to say he'll be on the team. That leaves two midfield spots for the likes of Feilhaber, Kljestan, Ricardo Clark, Jose Torres and Brad Davis.
Feilhaber is playing well since joining New England and should be on, and Kljestan is coming off a good season with Anderlecht, which should be enough to bring back into the fold. Davis might seem like a stretch on this list, but with the lack of pure wingers in the pool, and how well he's playing for Houston, Davis had to be considered.
(UPDATE– Mixx Diskerud is an interesting proposition, and he's playing well in Norway by all accounts. He's on the radar, but does Bradley take him over some more familiar names? It would be a bit of a surprise.)
FORWARDS – Charlie Davies looked like a safe bet before suffering a recent hamstring injury. Does that mean he definitely won't be on? We'll find out this afternoon,but it seems unlikely Bradley would risk a roster spot if Davies' health status is uncertain. Now, if Davies is making good progress, and taking him wouldn't be too risky, I can see Bradley bringing him.
If Davies can't go the question becomes who is the fourth forward, or will there be a fourth forward? If Bradley takes four, Gomez' hot streak to end the Mexican season puts him on the radar. Eddie Johnson and Robbie Findley are healthy, but neither has played much lately. Edson Buddle is an option, though Gomez would seem to have the edge ahead of him.
Bradley could also just go with three forwards and use Timmy Chandler in midfield, while sliding Dempsey to forward when needed. This would allow Bradley to bring an extra defender (more likely) or midfielder (less likely).
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What do you think of the squad? Who didn't make this group that you hope makes the team Bradley ultimately selects? Who didn't we discuss in the breakdown that you feel should have been considered?
Share your thoughts below.
We do but evidently you don’t….enough said
Agree that Wondo should be on the radar for the Gold Cup roster.
If this was just a camp call… I could see either Will Bruin or Justin Braun getting in the action. Braun has been in the mix before.
I really like the list for the exeption of Sasha. I wouldnt waste a spot taking Sasha, I rather have someone with great technical skills that can cause plenty of fouls outside the box and very capable of making that great assist late in the game. I don’t care for his defensive skills, we have 10 defenders on the field for God sake. Adu is hungry, this could be his cup. Leave Sasha and bring Adu. Lichaj for pearce.
Maybe better form, but he’s certainly not a better player than any of the guys you listed.
I think Gooch deserves a shot. But, he has hardly seen the field for Twente. It seems like he’s lost a lot of confidence in the comeback from the injury, and he’s looked pretty dreadful in his recent call-ups. I hope he can someday regain his form, but it has been really difficult watching him, and that’s because I really pull for the guy.
Am I too late to rant about Bradley or Altidore? Or do I get firsties there?
Because I’m an idiot, will someone please explain whether or not Mix could go back and play for Norway (if he so choose)? Is that option still open to him?
Clearly you don’t.
Yeah, I was wondering that too. Maybe cause the SBI staff was hating on his comment and did not agree with it, lol.
People stop putting Dempsey as a forward. Dempsey plays forward well for Fulham, but for the USA he gets lost in play when he play forward. I say no to him being pushed up as a forward.
Come on we are playing wimpy Caribbean teams plus Canada. We do not have to worry about goals so much. We are not playing in a tournament with the likes of Brazil, Holland, Germany, and Argentina per say. The only team that is a threat is Mexico.
Zing!
So true. Our federation in general is very amateurish.
This is what will happen.
Davies will be dropped and that will pave the way for either Adu, Buddle, or Mix.
Steven Goff at the Washington Post just tweeted that Bradley’s conference call was pushed back to 3PM ET.
This makes the roster announcement mirror the US playing style: Don’t show anything early, play for extra time.
Dempsey might play on the wing, but when I hear him called a winger I always chuckle. Nothing about his game qualifies him as a winger…outside of where they tell him to line up.
pretty much agree with prediction of bb’s selections… only change would be whitbread over pearce. but ur point about experience with the teeam vs being a new guy at an important tourney is valid. tough call. my guess is that lichaj would be included at the expense of spector or a 4th forward.
i agree. this drives people nuts, but he has been playing great in turkey and should at least get a look out now that he is fit
Corey Ashe over Heath Pierce — LOL, just kidding. I would prefer Lichaj actually.
PLEASE, no Sacha! Bring Mixx!!!!!
Adu should be on the roster.
Parkhurst has proven repeatedly that he isn’t international quality.
Nice player and all, but noticeably lacking at the faster level of international matches.
I’m assuming you have not been watching Turkish second division… Seriously, though, he is doing very well in Turkey and his form is impressive enough to warrant a call-up. To say that he is “terrible” is quite foolish.
I think Chris Pontius should get a look. Can be used at both mid or forward. He is finally healthy and I would rather have him that Klijstein. Also Edson Buddle still should be in the starting lineup over Altidore.
It has to be. Today is the last day before the 15-day break before first match. Bradley is scheduled to have a media teleconference at noon ET, so at the latest, that’s when we will know. El Salvador and Canada are just releasing their rosters now.
Why was Jay’s comment removed? He said nothing that deemed for his comment to be removed
Will it still be released today?
I would only take one young forward…either Agudelo or Bunbury, and go with more experience up top in Wondolowski who is in better form and a more proven goal scorer.
According to the US Soccer website, the announcement was delayed again due to a late change. I don’t know enough to speculate who had to be dropped and why, but it appears that even with the extra time, US soccer wasn’t quite ready.
See for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noM6yqOyP9A&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
I’d say Spector is another one. Certainly rather see him there than as a fullback.
Yeah. Supposedly. I assume you’re referring to Greg Seltzer too?
This ^. Every other goddamn federation just releases the roster like it’s no big effin deal. USSF needs to do the same. The casual fan doesn’t give 2 sh*#s. They’re just stringing us along.
Stuart Holden. Duh.
I wasn’t aware of that. Did a quick google search.
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/05/predicting-us-gold-cup-roster.html
Interesting stuff. Thanks for pointing me in that direction. In addition to those 7 guys above you have absolute locks like Howard, Hahnemann, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Edu, Jones, and Altidore. So really 17 out of 23 roster spots are already taken.
Lichaj is going to be on the squad. Its been confirmed.
Maybe so, but how many friendlies does he have to get under his belt until you bring him for a tournament.
Dempsey and Donovan are both wingers. They aren’t even close to attacking midfielders. They are wingers.
I think Chris Wondolowski is in better form right now than Davies, Bunbury, or Agudelo.
Agreed.
It is laughable that the Federation does not appear to be capable of handling something like this.
Roster announcement delayed due to a “late change”, as per ussoccer.com.
Onyewu needs to go, he doesn’t belong on NT any longer from his play, can’t pass, frequently looks lost out there and for sure has lost a step.
Also Pearce was not deserving of going to the WC. He choked it BIG TIME in the friendly against the Czech Republic before the World Cup. Bornstein had a crap half, and the spot was open for Pearce to seize it, but he screwed up majorly and was responsible for 2 goals during the 2nd half.
If Heath Pearce makes this squad, I lost all hope in Bob Bradley (as if I already haven’t). Eric Lichaj is a clear choice over Heath. Lichaj finished up his loan at Leeds playing Left back, and playing it well.. A Lichaj/Chandler wing back combo can be deadly. They’re both pretty quick, good defensively, and great offensively.
Kljestan doesn’t make this roster of Jonathan Spector. Spector may have gotten relegated but he was a key player for West Ham when they were actually in any game. Plus he’s a versatile player. RB/CB/CM/RM. We don’t need more Attacking mids (Bedoya, Donovan to an extent, Feilhaber) like Kljesten.
“JerryGarcia”
Are you high?
Adu’s terrible. He shouldn’t ever see USMNT minutes again. Do you even watch him?
I agree with your opinion Davis and Kljestan. I feel like with Feilhaber there really isn’t another need for another central attacking midfielder off the bench?
I would like to see Lichaj make it, but I can see why Bob wouldn’t take him with. With Cherundolo and Chandler both ahead of him on the RB depth chart, plus the likely inclusion of Spector, we’ll have what are essentially 3 right backs already on the roster.
The only way I see Lichaj making it is if Bob doesn’t bring Bornstein or Peace, but I just don’t find it likely that the only left footed defender Bob brings is Boca.
i’m with you…I dont know why we always need to wait longer than others. Its not like other feds arent also dealing with players scattered across Europe and domestic leagues.
Anyone know the rules regarding is Davies is selected now, but deemed injured before the start of the tourney can he be replaced? If so, why not select him and backfill with Herc?
Both donovan and dempsey are dangerous attacking midfielders.
I am getting really sick and tired of this freaking US Soccer charade.
Release the damn roster when everyone else does, and quit making us wait until the last moment. Nobody except us really cares what players we put out on the field.