The United States Men’s National Team has chosen the spot for their pre-World Cup training camp in May. The lucky city…..Princeton, New Jersey. Yeah I know, maybe he just wants them to stay focused. Nevertheless, the World Cup is getting closer and it is time to take another look at those vying for a spot on the team. (Those in bold are who I think are in the first 18 against England). The roster, projected to be at 26 for camp, should be announced at the first of May.
Forward (4 on roster), I think Bradley selects four for the trip and three on match days. While I think he selects three on match day I think that if Ching and Davies are still not fit Clint Dempsey moves from midfield and starts at one forward spot.
1. Jozy Altidore (Hull City, English Premier League (EPL)). Still the only sure thing in the forward pool and barring injury will be in the starting 11. Stock: Same
2. Charlie Davies, (Sochaux, French Ligue 1). Even though the kid has made a miraculous comeback he is not training fully with the Sochaux. The thought was that he would play his first game at the end of April. I will keep him here for now but his chances of making the squad are dropping with each match. Stock: Down
3. Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexican First Division). Tied for the lead in goals in Mexico in half a season. Works for me! He moves to number two if Davies does not come back because of fitness and form but still would not start over Dempsey. Stock: Up.
4. Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy, MLS). A record 7 goals in 4 matches makes Buddle the second surprise. However he has been EXTREMELY streaky and with no experience with the national team would give way to a healthy Ching or Davies. Stock: Up
5. Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo, Major League Soccer (MLS)). Good news, he is back training three weeks ahead of schedule. Bad news, he only has two matches between now and when the World Cup camp roster is announced. If Ching is healthy in camp he moves ahead of Buddle and Gomez based on experience. Stock: Down
Others who will need to keep a passport handy: No one has a realistic shot. The four will come from the group above. If anything there may only be three.
Midfield (9 on the roster), seven dress on match day. The only real questions are health and who starts next to Michael Bradley.
1. Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy, MLS). While he is not scoring for the Galaxy he is still the best player in on the team and lock for the starting 11 baring injury. Stock: Same
2. Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC, EPL). Now Dempsey is back full time and in form he is a lock to start. The recovery of Davies and Ching decide where he will play. Stock: Same
3. Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany’s Bundesliga). Another solid selection that only injury could derail, who starts with him is the question. Stock: Same.
4. Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scottish Premier League (SPL)). Here is where things get interesting. Edu is rounding into form nicely for Rangers defending well and scoring goals. Stock: Up
5. Jose Francisco (Gringo) Torres (Pachuca, Mexican First Division). Being in form counts and Torres is the only other midfielder not coming off injury and playing starter’s minutes. If Edu starts seeing the bench again Torres is the likely bet to start next to Bradley. Stock: Up.
6. Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers, EPL). Back training at Bolton and looks ready to start playing games soon. If he is in form heading into camp and the three pre-World Cup matches he will make the 18. If Dempsey starts at Forward I think he starts on the rights side of midfield. Stock: Same.
7. Bennie Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus', Denmark SAS Ligaen). Still recovering and struggling with fitness. This spot could easily go to another midfielder. Stock: Down
8. Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro BK, Sweden’s Allsvenskan). No player has made as big of a move as Bedoya in the past four months. The kid impressed Bradley last time with the USMNT and has actually gotten better for his club, scoring 2 and assisting on a few others since the last USMNT match. If Dempsey moves to forward he makes the 18 man roster and is likely to see time. Stock: Way Up!
9. Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Bundesliga). Before moving to Germany some thought that Clark should stay in MLS to ensure he got playing time heading into the World Cup. His lack of time has dropped him from likely starter to the last midfielder selected for the 23 man roster. Only playing time for Frankfurt improves his chances. Stock: Way Down.
Players who should keep a passport handy: DeMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, SPL)
Defenders (7 on the roster) Bradley will likely select 6 on match day. Biggest question is who starts at left back.
1. Oguchi Oneywu (AC Milan, Italy’s Serie A). Finally back training with AC Milan. The three matches heading into the World Cup will have to be enough to get him in form. Stock: Same.
2. Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, Ligue 1). Again, only injury keeps Bocanegra out of the starting 11. However, is he your left back or center back? Speed will be an issue and most wingers in the World Cup possess speed. I think he starts at left back over Jonathan Bornstein. Stock: Same.
3. Johnathan Spector (West Ham, EPL). Can play left or right back but is the best right back on the team and starts at that position. Stock: Same.
4. Jay Demerit (Watford, English Coca-Cola Championship). Benefits from Bocanegra being the starter at left back and pairs well with Onyewu. Stock: Same.
5. Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Bundesliga). Versatile and experienced, two things needed for the first defensive option off the bench. Stock: Same.
6. Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, MLS). Recent playing time with USMNT and favor of Bradley put Bronstehere but in my opinion the gap between him and Heath Pearce as a full back option is not that wide. Stock: Same.
7. Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway’s Tippeligaen). Nothing has changed with Goodson. Still solid and depending on Bradley’s preference could see the bench on match day. Stock: Same.
Players who should keep a passport handy: Heath Pearce (FC Dallas, MLS), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew, MLS), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy, MLS)
Goalkeeper (3):
1. Tim Howard (Everton FC, EPL). Nothing has changed and Howard is still the most important player and will dictate the success the Yanks have in the World Cup. Stock: Same.
2. Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wolves, EPL). Playing time wins out and Hahnemann is now the number two for the national team. He is a big reason Wolves should avoid relegation. Stock: Up.
3. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, EPL). For a guy with so much promise, playing behind one of the top 5 keepers in the EPL hurts his chances of making the first 18. If Friedel stays with Aston Villa next year, look for Guzan to be loaned out as he is wasting on the bench. Stock: Down.
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:
1. Arsenal v. Manchester City (Fox Soccer Channel, 11:30am CT, Saturday). City is chasing Tottenham for 4th place in the EPL and a spot in the Champions League making this a MUST win.
2. Barcelona v. Xerez (GolTV, 10:00am CT, Saturday). How does Barcelona handle losing 3-1 to Inter Milan in the Champions League. I have a feeling Xerez will be a bit of a sacrificial lamb.
3. Hamburg v. Fulham (GolTV, 2:00pm CT, Thursday). Late notice but this is the first leg in the Europa League semi-final. Great match up with some intrigue as Fulham is traveling by sea and ground instead of flying due to the grounding of all planes. Oh yeah, Clint Dempsey will be on display.
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