Here’s the squad announced by Bob Bradley for Wednesday night’s qualifier against Mexico by position (numbers in parenthesis are all time world cup qualifying caps and goals scored).
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 4/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 7/5 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 1/0), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 3/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 14/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 12/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 7/0), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 21/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 6/2), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 6/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.: 3/1), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 12/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 1/1) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 12/4), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich: 25/9)
Nothing much of a surprise out of this lineup. I’m glad we’re leaving Freddy Adu out of the squad as he’s not done much this season in France. Jozy was a bit of a surprise, but I think with him it’s a case of filling out numbers. I think picking Torres was a wise decision as it never hurts to have someone in the squad who has played against most of the players called up by Mexico, or a good reliable midfielder that is highly capable of starting this match.
What do you think of this squad? What formation would you like to see played and what would you like the starting eleven to look like?
Don’t forget there will be a MLS Talk Chat for this game. Start time will be Wednesday night at 6:45 pm Eastern/3:45 Pacific.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This line-up worries me. Too many key players are flying in from their European clubs and expect to play together for the first time in months like a well trained unit. I’m scared. Mexico has it’s back against the wall and Sven knows a defeat can be his last, maybe anywhere, as a coach. The US was expecting winter weather to be it’s 12th man but a warm spell has hit the middle of America. Maybe it would be best to use mainly players who went through the training camp together.
Danger Will Robinson! (If your old enough to remember that one you should be on social security)
While my mind understands the decision to drop Freddy Adu, my heart is heavy about it. I am biased towards soccer’s creative class, always enjoyed Maradona tying his laces after losing the ball high in midfield, and admired Adu’s ability to break defenses down with his dribbling and improving passing skills. I just don’t think the US without Adu has the imagination to out-think organized world class defenses. The US should win the game, however, because Bradley will have the team well organized on defense, hard chasing in midfield, and fast in transition on offense. The team will be linear, un-nuanced and boring but successful, unless Mexico scores early and sits back tightly.
fluney
I have never understood the decision to leave out players who aren’t on the field with their club side. Lot’s of countries do it. But, essentially we are letting a French club Manager decide the make up of our national team. No one will ever convince me that M. Bradley is anywhere near Adu’s level. Let’s all count together how many times M. Bradley leaves his feet during the match…coaches son. The US needs two things to get to the next level, Freddy Adu and an accomplished Interantional coach.