U.S. Soccer has announced the 19-man roster for the Argentina friendly on Sunday and it is missing a few names fans were hoping to see.
Namely Jozy Altidore and Kenny Cooper. Why? Altidore picked up an ankle injury in Red Bulls training on Monday and hadn't fully recovered. As for Cooper? I know there had been questions about his ability to handle the speed of play on the international level, particularly against top competition, but count me in the group that thought his play in MLS this season might merit at least a look in one of the big three friendlies.
Also missing from the roster is central defender Carlos Bocanegra and yes, you guessed it, Josh Wolff.
Please contain your emotions people.
Here is the 19-man roster:
Goalkeepers- Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
Defenders- Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)
Midfielders- Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
Forwards- Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC)
Based on this group, here is the starting lineup I think we will see against Argentina:
USA Projected lineup vs. Argentina
------------------Dempsey---------------------
Beasley------------Adu----------------Donovan
------------Bradley-------Edu-------------------
Pearce---DeMerit----Onyewu-----Cherundolo
------------------Howard-----------------------
If Donovan is here that means he's starting and he'll play on the right or up top. Could we see an Adu-less lineup? We could, but if we do it will be disappointing considering how well he played against Spain. If Bradley leaves Adu on the bench then I think you'll see Donovan up top with Dempsey and Beasley on the right with Eddie Lewis on the left in a 4-4-2.
In other USA-Argentina news, ticket sales have surpassed the 70,000 mark and organizers are urging fans to carpool or use public transportation for the match. A variety of construction projects at the Meadowlands, including the new Giants Stadium, have made a real mess of the parking situation and I think it's safe to say Sunday is going to be a parking nightmare, particularly if you don't show up very early.
Now that you've seen the roster, what starting lineup would you use against Argentina? Share your thoughts below.
