Good brain food as usual. This is how I see things. As you stated, Cooper hasn’t been part of the US setup in a year and a half. Even then though it was the pre-MLS season callup of strictly MLS players (i.e, the annual January camp).

Cooper undoubtedly has been on fire in MLS and his particular skill set is unique amongst similar players already ingrained in the National Team system. That being said, I think the entire crux of this situation (his non-inclusion) is simply that he hasn’t clocked any “field time” in the National Team camps. That can not be overlooked.

It’s very rare for a non-capped or relatively small capped player to go straight into a WC qualifying team. Bradley is going with what he knows right now. You and I both agree that Cooper deserves to be there, but he doesn’t know the routine like EJ, Ching or even Twellman for that matter (not saying at all that I prefer TT over Cooper, I don’t).

I think it’s as simple as that.

This is match #3 in an 18 match process. He will get his time. If this was not a one-off game (and therefore the small amount of time for the team to be together) then I would be shocked not to see Cooper involved.

If Cooper is overlooked for the Cuba-T&T combo next month, then something is definitely amiss. I would fully expect Cooper to be involved in a few weeks.

It would be nice though if someone (Goff, I’m talking to you) down in Guatemala would simply ask about Cooper’s exclusion so far. As far as I can tell, no one has asked him yet. Seems a bit strange.

I’m a big Kenny Cooper fan (except when FCD is playing my Gals), but this isn’t the time to be experimenting with roster changes. There are a handful of players out there who merit another look, and I believe they will get that look under Bradley in this cycle… just not before we go to Guatemala in a WCQ.

Edson Buddle and Chris Rolfe are also examples of this. Give BB time, he hasn’t steered us wrong yet (except for Copa America).

Kenny Cooper is a nice MLS player but obviously Bradley has seen him in national team camp and determined he doesn’t have what it takes to be successful on the bigger stage. You must respect that and stop throwing stones at everything OUR coach does.

It’s the most difficult match of this round. Bob’s playing this one safe with players he knows what he’s going to get from them.