Saturday, June 20, 2009

U.S. MNT Roster for the Gold Cup

Available via Original Winger and CONCACAF:

GK - Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins, Luis Robles

D - Jonathan Bornstein, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Eric Lichaj, Chad Marshall, Michael Orozco, Michael Parkhurst, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne

M - Freddy Adu, Davy Arnaud, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Gaven, Stuart Holden, Pablo Mastroeni, Robbie Rogers, John Thorrington, Jose Francisco Torres, Jeremiah White

F - Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Davies

I have to say that given the performance of the so-called A team in South Africa, I like some of the names on this list.

I figure Guzan will get most of the starts in goal, but it is nice to see Hahnemann to get a call up. Luis Robles had a good season in Bundesliga 2 and I think is earning a good look from the National Team.

On the back line, there is a lot of talent there. You could pick a solid back four from any of that group. I would give the nod to Parkhurst, DeMerit, Cherundolo and Bornstein. I would image that Wynne would get some more looks. I don't know much about Eric Lichaj, but right now, any new name is a good sign for the U.S. back line.

No real surprises in the midfield other than the youth of the group. I am surprised to see both Rico Clark and Stuart Holden on the list since the Houston Dynamo might need their services. I hope that Bradely will start a midfield that would include Adu, Holden, Feilhaber and Torres. There is not a lot of speed in that group, except maybe Holden, but there is a lot of ball control and creativity. It won't happen though, but I think Bradley needs to look to Holden, Feilhaber and Torres to finds a proper playmaker.

good to see Kenny Cooper in teh mix again, but I still worry about his work rate. He is not a target striker like Brian ching so Bradley will have to adapt some tactics (not his strong suit) to fit the strikers he has.

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