Projected Roster for the World Cup

So who is going to represent the striped uniform (the uniforms are modeled after the 1950 USMNT that beat England in the World Cup, very nice move by Nike) in this year’s world cup? For those who do not know, the teams are allowed to list a 23 man roster and suit up only 18 on match days in the world cup. Bolded players are my prediction to be in the top 18 on match day.

My initial roster if the World Cup started tomorrow:

Forwards (3):
1. Jozy Altidore (Hull City, English Premier League (EPL)). The guy is the only lock in the forward pool to go and has done everything well for Hull City…….except put the ball in the back of the net.
2. Charlie Davies, (Sochaux, French Ligue 1). If he is healthy and is near his form before his accident he makes the game day roster. If he can go the 70 minutes, he starts.
3. Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexican First Division). Surprise! The guy has been ripping Mexican defensives up and at this point a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net has to be considered. If he is still scoring goals in May he gets on the plane.
4. Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo, Major League Soccer (MLS)). If the hamstring injury he got last week is minor and he is back within a few weeks he is going to South Africa whether fans like it or not because of his work rate and experience. Have him listed at #4 only because the injury.

Others who will need to keep a passport handy: Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas, MLS), Connor Casey (Colorado Rapids, MLS), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy, MLS)

Midfield (9):
1. Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy, MLS). Whether you love him or hate him he is the best American soccer player ever and just showed on loan with Everton that he can play with the big boys like Chelsea and Manchester United.
2. Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC, EPL). If Donovan is the best player, Dempsey is the most creative and most frustrating. Great skill and seems to come up big on the big stage. And I think he considers the world cup a big stage. He could start at forward opening up a spot for Stuart Holden or DeMarcus Beasley in the starting 11.
3. Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany’s Bundesliga). Being the coach’s son hurts his credibility to some but the guy has skill and a mean streak. He is not truly great at anything but is the best all around central midfielder in the player pool.
4. Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scottish Premier League (SPL)). Edu has returned to form and is seeing consistent minutes for Rangers who are running away with the SPL. While he does not cover the same ground as Clark his playing time puts him in the starting 11.
5. Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Bundesliga). I know he was hurt recently and has not seen a game for Frankfurt but Bob Bradley likes a defensive counterpart for his son and Clark is a good option. Edu has played more so I think he gets the start but I think Clark is the best truly defensive CM the team has at this time.
6. Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers, EPL). As the least heralded of three transfers for Bolton, Holden forced his way into the starting 11 and in his last two games was rated by Sky Sports as their best player. A clumsy (and red card worthy challenge) from Nigel De Jong broke his leg while playing for the Yanks. He is back and should be playing in games in a few weeks.
7. Bennie Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus', Denmark SAS Ligaen). Still recovering but played his first game in 2010 this past week. His talent gets him on the plane with any type of fitness.
8. Jose Francisco (Gringo) Torres (Pachuca, Mexican First Division). Talent and skill is not the issue. He may be one of the two best ball handler and passer on the team with Holden but the system for the national team does not fit his style of play. Still he gets on the plane and could make the bench.
9. DeMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, SPL). If I was coaching I give this spot to Alejandro Bedoya (Obereo, Swedish First Division) who is 20 and will be a big part of the 2014 team. But Beasley showed great form in the last friendly against Holland and if he gets games with Rangers his experience and pace will be an asset.

Players who should keep a passport handy: Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04, Bundesliga), Freddie Adu (Aris Salonika, Greek First Division), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro BK, Sweden’s Allsvenskan), Edgar Castillo (Tigres UNAL, Mexican First Division)

Defenders (7):
1. Oguchi Oneywu (AC Milan, Italy’s Serie A). Physical and great in the air. One of the few guys who do not need to be getting games to not only get on the plane but to be in the starting 11.
2. Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, Ligue 1). The captain who probably starts at Left Back but has been a staple at Center Back and scored several in qualifying on set pieces, which will be huge for the Yanks.
3. Johnathan Spector (West Ham, EPL). Talent going forward and defending out wide. He has replaced Steve Cherundolo as the best Right Back in the player pool. Can also play Left Back.
4. Jay Demerit (Watford, English Coca-Cola Championship). High Quality Center Back who plays for a good team in the English second division. If Bocanegra is your Left Back Demerit starts with Oneywu.
5. Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Bundesliga). Lost a step and is coming off an injury. Recently scored a goal for his team and provides good pace and experience.
6. Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, MLS). Would not be my choice for the 6th spot, but I think that is where he is in the pecking order right now. His ability to play all four spots in the back helps.
7. Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway’s Tippeligaen). Solid player who provides great depth at Center Back. Probably does not make the 18 but is there for insurance.

Players who should keep a passport handy: Heath Pearce (FC Dallas, MLS), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew, MLS)

Goalkeeper (3):
1. Tim Howard (Everton FC, EPL). The most important player and will dictate the success the Yanks have in the world cup. If he plays well they go far, if he does not well 2014 is not that far away.
2. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, EPL). For a guy who plays sparingly and backs up a retired U.S. National team starting keeper, he impresses every time out. Once he starts playing full time again people will remember that he is the future at Keeper for the Yanks.
3. Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wolves, EPL). He is experienced (nice way of saying old) and is there for support and practice.

Players who should keep a passport handy: Brad Friedel (Aston Villa, EPL), Troy Perkins (DC United, MLS)

What do you think? Who do you think should be in South Africa for world cup?

Matches to watch for this weekend:
1. EL CLASSICO – Real Madrid v. Barcelona, GolTV (620 on DirectTV), 6:00pm CT.
The names of the two clubs are enough to tell you that you should watch. If you are not a fan and want to see what soccer is like at its peak, this is your match. The talent in this match is rivaled only by knock out stage matches in the World Cup. Lio Messi is an absolute tear for Barca and Real will be looking to protect the Bernbau. Absolute must see TV for any soccer fan!

2. Aston Villa v. Chelsea, Saturday, Fox Soccer Channel, 11:00 am CT. FA Cup Semi-final
Chelsea is two points ahead of the Red Devils (Manchester United) after their win last week in the EPL and look to take a step to add another piece of hardware. Aston Villa, who has American Brad Friedel in goal, look to continue their run in the tourney but have a tough task against a more talented Chelsea club.

3. Houston Dynamo v. LA Galaxy, Regional TV (11.2 in Houston and Fox Sports Pacific out of the Houston Market), 7:30pm CT.
Rematch of the Western Conference Final last year that was riddled with 2 power outages, what is perceived as a phantom call that took Houston’s winning goal off the board in regulation, and the emergence of Beckham’s skill in OT to send the Galaxy to the final. Not to mention the teams are owned by the same company (AEG) and the Dynamo have always felt like the little brother, even though they have had more recent success. Robertson Stadium will be rocking (hopefully it does not fall over) and the Dynamo will give every fan a mini-flashlight just in case the lights go out again. Oh, and these are two of the best teams in MLS with two great coaches. Best game of the weekend in MLS.