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Bradley’s Bunch: European Blues
After losing twice in European friendlies, Goal.com’s Max Zeger examines the state of the U.S. World Cup squad for South Africa 2010.
Nov 28, 2009 4:14:35 PM
By Max Zeger
The United States' trip to Europe can only be considered a failure. They played two teams of relatively equal stature and were beaten twice. To be fair, though, the U.S. was without Landon Donovan, but it became clear how much the team relies on him, especially in the absence of Charlie Davies. If the U.S. is to succeed at the World Cup, they will need to have much better offensive play.
On the defensive side of the ball, the U.S. looked good for the first three quarters of the trip, and then subsequently fell apart in the second half against Denmark. Part of that is probably due to injuries, but the defense needs to be tight for the U.S. to make a dent next summer.
The primary focus of this trip since some notable regulars were absent was to assess depth, and it is clear that the U.S. is lacking in that department. The additions of Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo should help, but without Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyewu, Landon Donovan, and Tim Howard, the U.S. is nothing like the team that we saw in the knockout stages of the Confederations Cup.
With that said, on to the squads.
Keeping in mind this is a prognostication, the rankings go from most likely to have a seat on the plane to least likely.
Naturally, since there are only 23 spots, the top 23 will comprise the squad. Everybody after that is not in the top 23 and is on the outside looking in. For the purpose of creating a balanced squad, roughly three 'keepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and four forwards will be selected in the first 23. The number in parentheses is the player’s rank in the previous edition of Bradley’s Bunch.
The Bunch
1. (1) Landon Donovan - It is clear how much the U.S. relies on Donovan after these past two friendlies. Without Donovan there is not much hope of a good performance next summer.
2. (2) Tim Howard - It's too bad Howard had a small injury and was unable to participate. He’s still the unquestionable first keeper and will be the starter in South Africa.
3. (3) Clint Dempsey - Dempsey was the only player who made an attacking difference against Slovakia. His club form has also been stellar with five goals in the last five EPL matches. He could be the starting forward with Jozy Altidore next summer if he can continue to score like he has on the club level.
4. (4) Carlos Bocanegra - Captain America has looked more comfortable now that he has switched back to the center. There is no way Bob Bradley will leave Bocanegra home, he is just too important.
5. (6) Michael Bradley - Bradley continues to be a solid midfielder for the U.S. and he has become better at getting forward in the run of play. He will likely be starting at the World Cup.
6. (5) Oguchi Onyewu - SOS! The stable defense the U.S. had during qualifying had more to do with Onyewu than many might have thought, and U.S. defending has been shambolic in his absence. When challenged with a mediocre Denmark squad, they were badly exposed. If Gooch is healthy, he will be going to South Africa.
7. (7) Josmer Altidore - Altidore showed nothing against either Slovakia or Denmark. He looked tired and slow. However, the starts he is now getting for Hull in the Premiership should get him into shape for next summer when he will be relied upon.
8. (8) Brad Guzan - Guzan showed he was the unquestionable backup to Howard. He stepped up big in both games, and none of the goals conceded can be blamed on him. He likely won’t see the field next summer, but he’ll be there just in case.
9. (9) Jonathan Spector - Spector was moved to center back for the friendlies and largely showed he can fill in well there. He was beaten badly once against Denmark but looks like a good replacement while Onyewu is out.
10. (NA) Jermaine Jones - If Jones can get healthy, a starting spot in South Africa could be very likely. He will add some steel to the midfield, and his passing acumen is far better than any current central midfielder the U.S. has.
11. (13) Benny Feilhaber - Feilhaber was the only player who looked up for the match against Denmark. He probably won't start next summer, but a role off the bench is likely.
12. (10) Stuart Holden - Holden flew out for one match, and looked like the rest of the team: sluggish. It won’t hurt his chances, though, considering Dempsey may be moved to striker, which would free up the right side for Holden.
13. (12) Steve Cherundolo - Cherundolo looked very sharp against Slovakia before leaving late with an injury. He's undoubtedly the starter while Spector is playing elsewhere, but may be in a fight to start next summer if Onyewu makes a return to the starting lineup.
14. (11) Ricardo Clark - For now, Clark is the best defensive midfield option the U.S. has to complement Bradley, but that might change once Jermaine Jones joins the fold. A move to Europe should help, but Clark may not see much time with Jones' arrival.
15. (14) Jose Francisco Torres - Torres' lack of use remains a mystery to most fans, as he rarely gets extended time. Nevertheless, Torres is a good option off the bench to come in and control the ball.
16. (19) Edgar Castillo - The long awaited arrival of Edgar Castillo came and went rather quietly. He barely even touched the ball in his half-hour against Denmark. Even though Bradley used him at left midfield, Castillo is likely to take Bornstein’s starting spot once he gets a proper chance. Castillo might well find himself the starter at the World Cup next year.
17. (18) Brian Ching - Ching missed out on the trip because of surgery and his MLS commitments, but now that the U.S. is without Davies, it looks like Ching will be around come next summer. In what capacity is still unknown.
18. (21) Jay DeMerit - After DeMerit recovers from his eye injury, it will be interesting to see whether he can reclaim his starting spot. While that is up in the air, it's highly likely that DeMerit is in South Africa next year.
19. (26) Jimmy Conrad - Conrad makes the biggest leap up with his very impressive performance against Denmark. Conrad came into the game after the U.S. defense had given up three goals and calmed things down. With Marshall being looked over in that situation, it's conceivable that Conrad may now be Bradley's fourth choice center back.
20. (NA) Jeff Cunningham - Cunningham made the most of his outing against Denmark as he grabbed his first international goal. The question then becomes whether or not Cunningham is Davies' replacement. Especially with Dempsey in such good form, Cunningham may be in a real fight for playing time next summer.
21. (15) Jonathan Bornstein - The Jonathan Bornstein era at left back may be coming to a close with the arrival of Edgar Castillo. Still, though, with little competition for the backup role, Bornstein is likely to find himself at World Cup 2010.
22. (16) Maurice Edu - What Edu needs more than anything right now is playing time. He’s injured currently, but with Jones coming in soon, the midfield is getting awfully crowded. If Edu finds playing time after he recovers, he's got a shot to play a significant role in the World Cup next summer.
23. (23) Troy Perkins - Perkins is still the third keeper only because he plays regularly. It’s unlikely Bradley takes Hanhemman if he’s not playing, which is how things currently stand.
On the outside looking in…
24. (24) Freddy Adu - Adu is seeing sparse minutes for Beleneses, which is an improvement over his situation at Monaco, but he still doesn’t merit a call-up. It’s simple, though, if he starts getting significant playing time, he’ll make the squad.
25. (22) Conor Casey - The big Rapids forward is a conundrum. He popped up with two big goals to get the U.S. into the World Cup against Honduras, but since has been utterly useless. His chances aren’t looking as good since the arrival of Jeff Cunningham, the performances of Robbie Findley, and the re-emergence of Eddie Johnson.
26. (25) Robbie Rogers - Rogers is a streaky player with some fantastic ability. If he can put together consistent performances for the U.S. national team, there’s a seat waiting for him on the plane to South Africa.
27. (20) Kenny Cooper - Cooper has been scoring goals for 1860 Munich, but an injury kept him out of the recent friendlies. Cooper needs to keep scoring if he wants to go next summer, now that there is increased competition at forward.
28. (17) Chad Marshall - The now two-time MLS defender of the year looked like the forth center back, but with Conrad’s great performance against Denmark, Marshall may be in a fight to even make the squad.
29. (27) Clarence Goodson - Goodson is in the same boat as Marshall. He gets consistent playing time but is very much a fringe player when everybody is healthy. His chances are looking increasingly slim.
30. (NA) Robbie Findley - Findley is somewhat of a wild card. In Davies' absence, the U.S. has been looking for a speedy forward. Could Findley be the answer? He had a good season for Real Salt Lake, and if he can put together some good performances for the U.S., there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go to South Africa.
31. (29) Marcus Hanhemann - The Wolves backup got a welcome call-up, but he is still very much in need of playing time if he wants to nab the third keeper position.
32. (NA) Kyle Beckerman - Beckerman will have benefited immensely from a superb performance in MLS Cup when his team won the trophy. Beckerman controlled the game, and, while questions remain about his international caliber, he’s undoubtedly earned another look.
33. (31) Sacha Kljestan - Kljestan was the rising star of U.S. soccer just a year ago, but after a move to Celtic fell through, his career has stagnated. Kljestan’s performances have been lackluster, and he needs to do some great work in the January camp in order to improve his chances of making the final 23.
34. (32) Heath Pearce - Pearce started for the U.S. for a long time, but his fall from grace with Rostock has mirrored his fall with the U.S. Pearce has playing time now at Dallas, but unseating Bornstein, who is a favorite of Bradley's, looks like too tough a task.
35. (34) Eddie Johnson - There was an Eddie Johnson citing! With Davies out, Bradley is desperately searching for a replacement. If Johnson can show some of his pre 2006 World Cup form, he could sneak back into the squad.
36. (28) Frankie Hejduk - Hejduk essentially killed his chances of making the World Cup squad with possibly his worst performance to date in a U.S. jersey. He was awful against Denmark and has a very low chance of making the cut.
37. (36) Charlie Davies - Davies' absence is glaring. There is no creativity up top without him, which was also compounded with the absence of Donovan. If he can miraculously be healthy for next summer, Bradley will welcome him back with open arms.
Max Zeger is a Goal.com contributor. Bradley’s Bunch is updated on a monthly basis. You can follow Max Zeger on twitter @mcmz403.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more
The United States' trip to Europe can only be considered a failure. They played two teams of relatively equal stature and were beaten twice. To be fair, though, the U.S. was without Landon Donovan, but it became clear how much the team relies on him, especially in the absence of Charlie Davies. If the U.S. is to succeed at the World Cup, they will need to have much better offensive play.
On the defensive side of the ball, the U.S. looked good for the first three quarters of the trip, and then subsequently fell apart in the second half against Denmark. Part of that is probably due to injuries, but the defense needs to be tight for the U.S. to make a dent next summer.
The primary focus of this trip since some notable regulars were absent was to assess depth, and it is clear that the U.S. is lacking in that department. The additions of Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo should help, but without Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyewu, Landon Donovan, and Tim Howard, the U.S. is nothing like the team that we saw in the knockout stages of the Confederations Cup.
With that said, on to the squads.
Keeping in mind this is a prognostication, the rankings go from most likely to have a seat on the plane to least likely.
Naturally, since there are only 23 spots, the top 23 will comprise the squad. Everybody after that is not in the top 23 and is on the outside looking in. For the purpose of creating a balanced squad, roughly three 'keepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and four forwards will be selected in the first 23. The number in parentheses is the player’s rank in the previous edition of Bradley’s Bunch.
The Bunch
1. (1) Landon Donovan - It is clear how much the U.S. relies on Donovan after these past two friendlies. Without Donovan there is not much hope of a good performance next summer.
2. (2) Tim Howard - It's too bad Howard had a small injury and was unable to participate. He’s still the unquestionable first keeper and will be the starter in South Africa.
3. (3) Clint Dempsey - Dempsey was the only player who made an attacking difference against Slovakia. His club form has also been stellar with five goals in the last five EPL matches. He could be the starting forward with Jozy Altidore next summer if he can continue to score like he has on the club level.
4. (4) Carlos Bocanegra - Captain America has looked more comfortable now that he has switched back to the center. There is no way Bob Bradley will leave Bocanegra home, he is just too important.
5. (6) Michael Bradley - Bradley continues to be a solid midfielder for the U.S. and he has become better at getting forward in the run of play. He will likely be starting at the World Cup.
6. (5) Oguchi Onyewu - SOS! The stable defense the U.S. had during qualifying had more to do with Onyewu than many might have thought, and U.S. defending has been shambolic in his absence. When challenged with a mediocre Denmark squad, they were badly exposed. If Gooch is healthy, he will be going to South Africa.
7. (7) Josmer Altidore - Altidore showed nothing against either Slovakia or Denmark. He looked tired and slow. However, the starts he is now getting for Hull in the Premiership should get him into shape for next summer when he will be relied upon.
8. (8) Brad Guzan - Guzan showed he was the unquestionable backup to Howard. He stepped up big in both games, and none of the goals conceded can be blamed on him. He likely won’t see the field next summer, but he’ll be there just in case.
9. (9) Jonathan Spector - Spector was moved to center back for the friendlies and largely showed he can fill in well there. He was beaten badly once against Denmark but looks like a good replacement while Onyewu is out.
10. (NA) Jermaine Jones - If Jones can get healthy, a starting spot in South Africa could be very likely. He will add some steel to the midfield, and his passing acumen is far better than any current central midfielder the U.S. has.
11. (13) Benny Feilhaber - Feilhaber was the only player who looked up for the match against Denmark. He probably won't start next summer, but a role off the bench is likely.
12. (10) Stuart Holden - Holden flew out for one match, and looked like the rest of the team: sluggish. It won’t hurt his chances, though, considering Dempsey may be moved to striker, which would free up the right side for Holden.
13. (12) Steve Cherundolo - Cherundolo looked very sharp against Slovakia before leaving late with an injury. He's undoubtedly the starter while Spector is playing elsewhere, but may be in a fight to start next summer if Onyewu makes a return to the starting lineup.
14. (11) Ricardo Clark - For now, Clark is the best defensive midfield option the U.S. has to complement Bradley, but that might change once Jermaine Jones joins the fold. A move to Europe should help, but Clark may not see much time with Jones' arrival.
15. (14) Jose Francisco Torres - Torres' lack of use remains a mystery to most fans, as he rarely gets extended time. Nevertheless, Torres is a good option off the bench to come in and control the ball.
16. (19) Edgar Castillo - The long awaited arrival of Edgar Castillo came and went rather quietly. He barely even touched the ball in his half-hour against Denmark. Even though Bradley used him at left midfield, Castillo is likely to take Bornstein’s starting spot once he gets a proper chance. Castillo might well find himself the starter at the World Cup next year.
17. (18) Brian Ching - Ching missed out on the trip because of surgery and his MLS commitments, but now that the U.S. is without Davies, it looks like Ching will be around come next summer. In what capacity is still unknown.
18. (21) Jay DeMerit - After DeMerit recovers from his eye injury, it will be interesting to see whether he can reclaim his starting spot. While that is up in the air, it's highly likely that DeMerit is in South Africa next year.
19. (26) Jimmy Conrad - Conrad makes the biggest leap up with his very impressive performance against Denmark. Conrad came into the game after the U.S. defense had given up three goals and calmed things down. With Marshall being looked over in that situation, it's conceivable that Conrad may now be Bradley's fourth choice center back.
20. (NA) Jeff Cunningham - Cunningham made the most of his outing against Denmark as he grabbed his first international goal. The question then becomes whether or not Cunningham is Davies' replacement. Especially with Dempsey in such good form, Cunningham may be in a real fight for playing time next summer.
21. (15) Jonathan Bornstein - The Jonathan Bornstein era at left back may be coming to a close with the arrival of Edgar Castillo. Still, though, with little competition for the backup role, Bornstein is likely to find himself at World Cup 2010.
22. (16) Maurice Edu - What Edu needs more than anything right now is playing time. He’s injured currently, but with Jones coming in soon, the midfield is getting awfully crowded. If Edu finds playing time after he recovers, he's got a shot to play a significant role in the World Cup next summer.
23. (23) Troy Perkins - Perkins is still the third keeper only because he plays regularly. It’s unlikely Bradley takes Hanhemman if he’s not playing, which is how things currently stand.
On the outside looking in…
24. (24) Freddy Adu - Adu is seeing sparse minutes for Beleneses, which is an improvement over his situation at Monaco, but he still doesn’t merit a call-up. It’s simple, though, if he starts getting significant playing time, he’ll make the squad.
25. (22) Conor Casey - The big Rapids forward is a conundrum. He popped up with two big goals to get the U.S. into the World Cup against Honduras, but since has been utterly useless. His chances aren’t looking as good since the arrival of Jeff Cunningham, the performances of Robbie Findley, and the re-emergence of Eddie Johnson.
26. (25) Robbie Rogers - Rogers is a streaky player with some fantastic ability. If he can put together consistent performances for the U.S. national team, there’s a seat waiting for him on the plane to South Africa.
27. (20) Kenny Cooper - Cooper has been scoring goals for 1860 Munich, but an injury kept him out of the recent friendlies. Cooper needs to keep scoring if he wants to go next summer, now that there is increased competition at forward.
28. (17) Chad Marshall - The now two-time MLS defender of the year looked like the forth center back, but with Conrad’s great performance against Denmark, Marshall may be in a fight to even make the squad.
29. (27) Clarence Goodson - Goodson is in the same boat as Marshall. He gets consistent playing time but is very much a fringe player when everybody is healthy. His chances are looking increasingly slim.
30. (NA) Robbie Findley - Findley is somewhat of a wild card. In Davies' absence, the U.S. has been looking for a speedy forward. Could Findley be the answer? He had a good season for Real Salt Lake, and if he can put together some good performances for the U.S., there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go to South Africa.
31. (29) Marcus Hanhemann - The Wolves backup got a welcome call-up, but he is still very much in need of playing time if he wants to nab the third keeper position.
32. (NA) Kyle Beckerman - Beckerman will have benefited immensely from a superb performance in MLS Cup when his team won the trophy. Beckerman controlled the game, and, while questions remain about his international caliber, he’s undoubtedly earned another look.
33. (31) Sacha Kljestan - Kljestan was the rising star of U.S. soccer just a year ago, but after a move to Celtic fell through, his career has stagnated. Kljestan’s performances have been lackluster, and he needs to do some great work in the January camp in order to improve his chances of making the final 23.
34. (32) Heath Pearce - Pearce started for the U.S. for a long time, but his fall from grace with Rostock has mirrored his fall with the U.S. Pearce has playing time now at Dallas, but unseating Bornstein, who is a favorite of Bradley's, looks like too tough a task.
35. (34) Eddie Johnson - There was an Eddie Johnson citing! With Davies out, Bradley is desperately searching for a replacement. If Johnson can show some of his pre 2006 World Cup form, he could sneak back into the squad.
36. (28) Frankie Hejduk - Hejduk essentially killed his chances of making the World Cup squad with possibly his worst performance to date in a U.S. jersey. He was awful against Denmark and has a very low chance of making the cut.
37. (36) Charlie Davies - Davies' absence is glaring. There is no creativity up top without him, which was also compounded with the absence of Donovan. If he can miraculously be healthy for next summer, Bradley will welcome him back with open arms.
Max Zeger is a Goal.com contributor. Bradley’s Bunch is updated on a monthly basis. You can follow Max Zeger on twitter @mcmz403.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more
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