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The CONCACAF Gold Cup is just two weeks away, meaning the wait to see Bob Bradley's U.S. national team roster for the tournament is almost over.
Bradley will announce his roster this afternoon, and while a good number of roster spots are easy enough to project, there are still a handful of spots clearly up for grabs.
Whether it's the No. 3 goalkeeper spot, the back-up left back spot, the final two midfield places and the fourth forward selection, there are more than enough roster slots still in doubt to make this afternoon's announcement just a little bit suspenseful.
So who do I see Bradley selecting today? Here's one last projection of the roster:
GOALKEEPERS - Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, David Yelldell
DEFENDERS - Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu, Tim Ream, Clarence Goodson, Timmy Chandler, Jonathan Spector, Heath Pearce.
MIDFIELDERS - Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Jermaine Jones, Benny Feilhaber, Alejandro Bedoya, Sacha Kljestan
FORWARDS - Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Herculez Gomez
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Here are some thoughts on the picks and who just missed our cut:
GOALKEEPERS - The question is the third goalkeeper spot. Brad Guzan is getting married this summer, so with him unlikely to be named the question becomes whether Bradley goes with an MLS keeper like Nick Rimando, who can stay with RSL unless needed, or will Bradley turn to Yelldell in an effort to get him better integrated with the national team set-up.
DEFENDERS - The first seven slots among defenders seem like locks, especially with Jay DeMerit's recent injury spell likely ruling him out. That leaves an eight spot presumably for a left-footed defender, natural left back ideally. Jonathan Bornstein has experience with the team, but just hasn't seen much playing time. Zak Whitbread is coming off a stellar season with Norwich City, and has some experience at left back.
So why do we go with Heath Pearce? He has an edge over Bornstein in that he's actually been playing regularly (and playing very well for Chivas USA, though at centerback rather than left back) and he has an edge over Whitbread in that he's actually got more experience in the national team set-up than Whitbread. Bradley's track record says he goes Bornstein, but we'll throw Pearce in as our surprise inclusion.
So why not other MLS defenders, like George John and Omar Gonzalez? Right now Onyewu, Goodson, Ream, Bocanegra and Whitbread are all rated above them for now. John and Gonzalez are worthy picks, but lose out to depth.
(UPDATE-Yes, I did forget to include Eric Lichaj, who's definitely on the radar. He's been on our projected 23 before, and since he saw regular playing time at Leeds, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see him get the nod, especially if Bradley believes he can provide cover at left back).
MIDFIELDERS - The first five names are automatic, and the way Alejandro Bedoya is playing in Sweden it is safe to say he'll be on the team. That leaves two midfield spots for the likes of Feilhaber, Kljestan, Ricardo Clark, Jose Torres and Brad Davis.
Feilhaber is playing well since joining New England and should be on, and Kljestan is coming off a good season with Anderlecht, which should be enough to bring back into the fold. Davis might seem like a stretch on this list, but with the lack of pure wingers in the pool, and how well he's playing for Houston, Davis had to be considered.
(UPDATE- Mixx Diskerud is an interesting proposition, and he's playing well in Norway by all accounts. He's on the radar, but does Bradley take him over some more familiar names? It would be a bit of a surprise.)
FORWARDS - Charlie Davies looked like a safe bet before suffering a recent hamstring injury. Does that mean he definitely won't be on? We'll find out this afternoon,but it seems unlikely Bradley would risk a roster spot if Davies' health status is uncertain. Now, if Davies is making good progress, and taking him wouldn't be too risky, I can see Bradley bringing him.
If Davies can't go the question becomes who is the fourth forward, or will there be a fourth forward? If Bradley takes four, Gomez' hot streak to end the Mexican season puts him on the radar. Eddie Johnson and Robbie Findley are healthy, but neither has played much lately. Edson Buddle is an option, though Gomez would seem to have the edge ahead of him.
Bradley could also just go with three forwards and use Timmy Chandler in midfield, while sliding Dempsey to forward when needed. This would allow Bradley to bring an extra defender (more likely) or midfielder (less likely).
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What do you think of the squad? Who didn't make this group that you hope makes the team Bradley ultimately selects? Who didn't we discuss in the breakdown that you feel should have been considered?
Share your thoughts below.
