U.S. National Team January Camp

U.S. National Team Coach Bob Bradley has named a 30 player roster for the annual January camp. As expected the roster is heavy with MLS Talent (25 players) and players from Scandanavian leagues who are in their winter break as well.

Here is the roster in toto:

GOALKEEPERS: Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS: Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)

Initial thoughts are that there are few surprises here on tis list. Bradley has called in a lot of young players who, while having no real shot at making the World Cup 23 next summer, deserve to get a good look for future years and possible Gold Cup inclusion for the 2011 Gold Cup. Given that most of the European leagues are still operational, there are some European youngsters that I would like to have seen, but there is little Bradley can do in that respect since this January camp is not a FIFA sanctioned break in league play.

Breaking matters down by position:
GOALKEEPERS: Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA).
All three MLS keepers played themselves into camp this year. Hartman was consistent as always, if stuck on a team that seems a bit of a train wreck in all other areas. Rimando should make a training video about penalties and Thorton is a come-back story of the year. Despite all that, Perkins is the only one here that is really fighting for a spot on the World Cup Roster. Perkins will be battling Marcus Hahnemann for the third keeper spot. With that in mind, I would have loved to see Bradley call in Chris Seitz from the Philly Union or perhaps Bill Hamid from DC United. Short of a complete meltdown of Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, Hartman, Rimando and Thorton will not be seriously on the radar screen. Getting Hamid and Seitz some time with the National team would have been a good move.

DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Every one of these guys is a good call. Alston and Gonzalez, the two MLS rookies on the list, had great seasons, with lots of minutes with club coaches who really know what they are doing. Bornstein and Pearce are battling for the World Cup roster (and I give Bornstein a bit of a edge right now, but that can change in this camp). Marshall and Goodson are possibilities, but Conrad might be a bit more of an edge if for no other reason that experience. I once thought Wynne would be a lock for the national team, with his strenght, attacking mindset and mind-blowing speed, he looked to be on the fast track, but several weak performances put the brakes on his development. Perhaps with Preki at the helm in Toronto next year, Wynne could be looking at a 2014 World Cup roster spot. For now, Pearce, Bornstein and probably Marsall are the most likely contenders for a spot. But with Jay DeMerit healthy and playing for Watford again, it is looking like there will be fewer defensive spots than anyone thought on the plane to South Africa.

MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
This group is a little harder to see breaking into the U.S. squad if they aren't already there. I think Feilhaber clearly has a line for South Africa, if he can play consistently well in the next six months to the level he has in the past six months for club and country. The U.S. midfield is loaded with talent and barring injuries, I don't see many players from here making the cut. Outside of Feilhaber, Beckerman and Kljestan have the best shots. There are fewer players on the U.S. squad who can combine the unquestioned work ethic of Beckerman--a true box to box midfielder who doesn't mind doing the dirty work of a holding midfielder and does the job well. Kljestan has some attacking flair, but has been inconsistent of late, particularly since is hat trick performance in last year's camp.

As much as it seems odd to say about a seven year MLS veteran, Eddie Gaven isn't breaking into this U.S. squad. Robbie Rogers might, but with the resurgence of DeMarcus Beasley, I am starting to wonder if Rogers will be the U.S. left wing option behind Landon Donovan. As much as I like Chris Pontius and his massive season at DC United, he is at this camp for experience and I just don't see him on the South Africa squad.

Oddly enough, the wild cards here are Geoff Cameron and Jeff Larentowitz. Larentowitz had a solid year for a New England REvolution team that simply struggled with injury. Antoher box to box workhorse, Larentowitz played his way into this camp, but with several quality holding midfielders before him in the pecking order, I don't see him making the cut. Cameron on the other hand is a little different. Houston coach Dominick Kinnear has in Cameron one of the most versatile midfielder/defenders in MLS. Cameron played just about every position for Kinnear but goalkeeper and striker. Cameron is another workhorse who can play in any role needed. Bradley may need some flexibility, particularly if Bradley's go to utilty midfielder/deferner Mo Edu isn't back to fitness and game sharpness.

Of the midfield group, after Feilhaber, Beckerman, Cameron and Kljestan would have to be favorites for even a hint at a World Cup ticket.

FORWARDS: Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)
Of this list, most people are probably exicted to see Robbie Findlay's name on the list. Findlay is most like Charlie Davies and seems a natural replacement. The most notable name missing from this list is Brian Ching, who for a long time was Bradley's go to target striker. But I think something interesting has happened to Bob Bradley since the Confederations' Cup, namely that he doesn't always have to play a target striker and a speed striker and that mixing up the look can achieve results. The most interesting names on the list are Marcus Tracy (who just left Aalborg) and Brandon McDonald. I never really thought of McDonald as a striker, but more of an attacking midfielder. But Tracy had a great year for Aalborg and earned this shot. I don't think Tracy will make the World Cup squad before Findlay, but Tracy has held his own in the face of some good competition and a good showing here could see his stock rise well.

Despite the hopes of many that Charlie Davies will be back for the World Cup, I just don't see it. That puts Findlay in the driver's seat. I think Conor Casey might make the list anyway. He isn't pretty, he isn't fun to watch, but he gets a job done, is big, strong and can hold his own against defenders and that is somehting that Bob Bradley isn't necessarily ready to give up just yet.

At best, 12-15 players on this list have a shot of playing themselves onto 23 man World Cup Roster. Some of these guys are young, exciting MLS stars or future stars as well has players who are starting to light up the European leagues. I think Bob Bradley can learn a lot for the future, but not so much right now.