Here it is, the United States' roster for the Mexico game.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.), Brian Ching (Houston), Charlie Davies (Hammarby) Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich)
My initial thoughts:
* I'm surprised to see Robbie Rogers and Charlie Davies in there. I would not be surprised to see neither of them on the gameday roster but that they are each here speaks loudly in terms of what Bradley has in mind for them (or at least what he hopes they will be able to contribute) for this year and beyond.
* Steve Cherundolo is the biggest absence. He ultimately could not overcome his hip injury. That leaves the door open for either Frankie Hejduk or Marvell Wynne to step in and start.
* Overall it's a pretty strong roster. Eight players from the Carson camp made it and the 12 that are in Europe are experienced and have qualities that speak for themselves.
* An interesting battle will be for the starting left midfield spot. Does Bradley go with the tried-and-true DaMarcus Beasley, even though he hasn't been playing much for Rangers, or does he tab youngster Jose Francisco Torres, who has been playing regularly with Pachuca and knows all about the Mexican team and its players?
* Another battle might be up front. Will Landon Donovan play up top alongside Clint Dempsey? Does Bradley start Donovan in the midfield (God forbid on the right!) and pair Dempsey with another player? If so, who? Jozy Altidore, who scored against Mexico last year? Brian Ching, who does all the little things so very well?
* I think it's a given we'll see Howard; Pearce, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Bradley, Donovan and Dempsey in there, with Kljestan right there as well.
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6 comments:
Cherundolo's club said they wouldn't release him earlier in the week.
Bradley has never been one to buck the trend, unfortunately. I think Beaz starts.
Here's my U.S. lineup:
Goal: Arnold Mausser
Defense: Alexi Lalas, David Regis, Alexi Lalas, Alexi Lalas
Midfield: Perry van der Beck, Desmond Armstrong, David Wagner, Steve Moyers
Forwards: Rick Davis, Michael Mason.
Luis, your thoughts?
There's no way that Ching doesn't start this game. Personally, that doesn't thrill me, but Donovan enjoys playing with Ching, and the two seem to have good understanding on the field, so maybe it's not such a bad thing.
If Beasley is in good form, I see this formation and lineup. 4-2-3-1. Ching gets the nod at forward for his intangibles and hold-up play. Kljestan should get the nod considering that he has been playing really well centrally. Kljestan’s defensive work rate has increased substantially and partners well with Bradley centrally.
———-Ching————
Beasley—-Donovan–Dempsey
——Kljestan–Bradley——-
Pearce-Boca—Oneyewu—Hejduk
———-Howard————
If Beasley does not look sharp or is not in good form, the line up would receive a different look in central midfield. Clark played very well in the Sweden match and as sub in the Gold cup final against Mexico. Clark provides the stability defensively but has not always meshed well with Bradley in the central midfield.
———-Ching————
Kljestan—-Donovan–Dempsey
——–Clark—–Bradley——-
Pearce-Boca—Oneyewu—Hejduk
———-Howard————
Landon has been up front almost exclusively for Bayern and Clint has been on the right wing or in the middle for Fulham.
Clint in the mid, Landon up top.
I really hope to see JF-Torres in the game. His calmness in big games is magnificent. Love this kid for the future. Freddy Adu, eat your heart out!!!
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