End To End: Rogers On The Rise

Jonathan Bornstein
Could the left back of the future have been hiding all this time in the five-foot, nine-inch defender from Torrance, California? Only time will tell, but "Mr. Honduras" certainly rewarded Bob Bradley's undying faith with strong performances in San Pedro Sula and Washington D.C. His surprising goal was merely icing on the cake. In fact, the Chivas USA player has quietly been putting together a nice run of National Team form. After a terrible, botched over-the-head clearance resulted in El Salvador's only goal, Bornstein regrouped and defended well. He then helped shut down Trinidad and Tobago in the Port of Spain before playing 180 solid minutes in the U.S.'s final two qualifying matches. Edgar Castillo remains the odds-on favorite to start at left back when the whistle blows in South Africa, but Bornstein's not the afterthought many believed he was in August.

Chad Marshall
With Oguchi Onyewu out for three-to-four months with a patella tendon tear, the massive Crew centerback can expect to get a call for the Red, White, and Blue's November friendly in Denmark assuming the MCL he sprained in mid-September heals in time. Marshall partnered with Carlos Bocanegra against the Cuscatlecos and did an admirable job mimicking the A.C. Milan's defender's dominance in the air. Additionally, while Onyewu was languishing on the bench in Italy, the former Major League Soccer Defender of the Year was helping to anchor his squad's defense. He should return soon, just in time to help the Crew defend their MLS title.  

Falling

Benny Feilhaber
The AGF midfielder failed to impress after earning a start against Costa Rica. Feilhaber looked tentative on the pitch and nervous in possession. On the field to be a conduit and facilitate the attack, too often he chose to knock the ball to his backline rather than turn upfield or distribute to the wings. When Jose Francisco Torres replaced him in the 63rd minute, the American offense noticeably accelerated. Even before the substitution, Michael Bradley had pushed past Feilhaber into the attack. The midfielder is remarkably skilled, especially in training, but he needs more experience before this talent translates on a national team level. Right now, he's a good option off the bench, but not a threat to start with the American depth in the center of the pitch.   

Kenny Cooper
The injury to Davies depleted the already sparse striker pool, but I don't see the former FC Dallas attacker finding a role in the Starting XI. He didn't play against the Catrachos and was a relative non-factor     in 11 minutes on the RFK Stadium pitch. Although Cooper showed some flashes during his time at 1860 Munich, he struggles on the international level. He and Jozy Altidore -- who will almost certainly start the first match against South Africa -- haven't shown much chemistry. The striker will continue to float around the fringes of the American roster, and may very well earn a trip to next summer's main event as part of the Stars and Stripes' 23-man roster, but he'll play a reserve role, if he plays one at all.

Brian Ching
While Cooper could find himself on a plane next July, the Houston Dynamo forward has in all likelihood seen his national team career come to an end. Ching didn't make the game-day roster against either Honduras or Costa Rica, and any future playing time looks doubtful. Conor Casey's finishing was found wanting against the Ticos, but he was excellent in SPS and Ching hasn't found the back of the net with the "A-team" all year. The Hawaiian's game isn't all about scoring, but Casey -- three years Ching's junior -- showed an aptitude for being a Target Man as well. It would be almost impossible to justify a roster slot for both players, and the Colorado Rapids forward will get the nod.  

Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.

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