Friday, June 20, 2008

Bradley Names 18 Man Roster for Barbados Trip

Can Bradley be ready to do a little experimenting?

Here is the list of players Bradley has named to his 18-man squad:

Goalkeepers
Dominic Cervi (out of contract)
Brad Guzan (Chivas USA)
Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders
Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract)
Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland)
Jay DeMerit (Watford FC)
Drew Moor (FC Dallas)
Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege)
Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

Midfielders
DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers)
Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen)
Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)
Eddie Lewis (Derby County)
Danny Szetela (Brescia)
John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

Strikers
Freddy Adu (SL Benfica)
Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire)
Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

Given this roster, I wonder how attack oriented this team will be? Here is what I would expect to see at the start of the match.

-------Adu-------Rolfe--------

Beasley-------------------Lewis
-----Bradley-----Klejstan--------

DeMerit------------------Pearce
--------Bocanegra----Onyewu-------

----------Guzan------------------

I would probably expect Szetela to come in for Klejstan or Lewis, Barrett for Rolfe and maybe Moor in for Pearce or DeMerit.

Here is what I would like to see.

------------Rolfe-------------

Szetela------Adu--------Klejstan
--------Lewis----Thorrington-----

Pearce---------------------Moor
--------Califf---DeMerit--------

----------Guzan-----------------


But I would be extremely suprised to see Bradley not start at least Boca or Onyewu in the back. I actually think this line-up would exploit the speed and attack mindedness of Adu, Szetela and Klejstan in particular. Adu and Klejstan can light it up and Bradley has to like Klegstan because he defends as a midfielder and can attack like mad (his goal last night should be a candidate for GOTW). Szetela lit it up in the U20 World Cup last year. Can you imagine that line with Donovan on the left or up top with someone like Dempsey?

The experience and steadiness of Lewis combined with the speed and tenacity of Thorrington could provide a wonderful linking opportunity in the mid-field. Boca and Onyewu are pretty well solidified in the center back, but I think Bradley should rest one of them and let DeMerit, Califf and Moor work. If I were Bradley I would sit both Boca and Onyewu and give his young defenders a shot. Give Eddie Lewis the Captain's armband and let Adu control the match.

Really, what I want to see is Bradley let the team, no matter who starts, just play and attack. Teh game could be very entertaining if they are released.

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