So as I wait for Setanta's Broadband site to actually load on my computer, why not post on Bob Bradley's roster for the U.S. qualifiers next month against Costa Rica and Honduras.
Nothing too crazy, as we've come to expect.
The most noteworthy inclusions are the returns of Benny Feilhaber and Jonathon Spector -- who is one of nine defenders on the 24-man roster. To some degree, too, it's a little surprising that Freddy Adu is in the mix, consider his lack of playing time in Europe and Bradley's reluctance to unleash him. Adu will likely get some run, you'd think, at either the Confederations Cup or Gold Cup this summer.
As said before, let's hope Feilhaber doesn't -- or hasn't already -- become the newest John O'Brien. Spector? Maybe a year or two older and under Gianfranco Zola's guidance he's taken the next step.
Other than that, Steve Cherundolo remains sidelined by injuries, leaving the right back spot open for either evergreen Frankie Hejduk or green Jonathan Bornstein.
Long story short, this is pretty much seem to be the USMNT 'A' Team, the team we'll most like see in South Africa in June.
There's so many games coming up, I'll wait until the European league seasons -- namely the Champions League -- before delving into the USMNT maelstrom.
Hey, my Setanta is back and Newcastle hasn't yet been relegated. What a country!
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Nothing too crazy, as we've come to expect.
The most noteworthy inclusions are the returns of Benny Feilhaber and Jonathon Spector -- who is one of nine defenders on the 24-man roster. To some degree, too, it's a little surprising that Freddy Adu is in the mix, consider his lack of playing time in Europe and Bradley's reluctance to unleash him. Adu will likely get some run, you'd think, at either the Confederations Cup or Gold Cup this summer.
As said before, let's hope Feilhaber doesn't -- or hasn't already -- become the newest John O'Brien. Spector? Maybe a year or two older and under Gianfranco Zola's guidance he's taken the next step.
Other than that, Steve Cherundolo remains sidelined by injuries, leaving the right back spot open for either evergreen Frankie Hejduk or green Jonathan Bornstein.
Long story short, this is pretty much seem to be the USMNT 'A' Team, the team we'll most like see in South Africa in June.
There's so many games coming up, I'll wait until the European league seasons -- namely the Champions League -- before delving into the USMNT maelstrom.
Hey, my Setanta is back and Newcastle hasn't yet been relegated. What a country!
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Labels: Soccer, USMNT, world cup qualifying
At this point I'd take Feilhaber == O'Brien; an 2002 WC-O'Brien type performance from Benny (without the promise of anything more) would be just fine from a selfish US fan's perspective. That said, I hope he can stay healthy.
The one starting XI spot I can't figure right now is who will be Michael Bradley's running partner in the middle? On one hand I'd love for the US to play a more wide open game and play Torres, however I know Bob likes to play 2 defensive midfielders.
This leaves Maurice Edu who was basically kicked out of rotation because of poor USMNT play. Now he's playing huge mins for Rangers and is back in the mix. As far as Pablo - he wont be on the team next summer so even though he's a nice security blanket for a road qualifier he shouldn't get any time( in Confederations) as the US builds for 2010.