U.S. sets 23-man World Cup roster Email Print Share ESPN.com news services The United States men's national team announced its 23-man roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on Wednesday. Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England). Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England). Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico). Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico).
Looks like Bradley might be ready to do some experimenting, maybe change up the formations with this set of players. Ching not making it signals that maybe Bradley might start playing the best players, not favorites.
Players cut from original 30 man roster Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew) Heath Pearce (FC Dallas) Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro) Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo) Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki) Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
I think Ching is more deserving than Findley. The thing about this is it means Dempsey is going to play some forward
has to get out of the group and if we dont draw germany win, if we do make it competitive. otherwise thank god he will be gone
Bradley should be gone regardless... You rarely see national team coaches around for more than 1 WC campaign. Klinsmann would obviously be our #1 target, but anyone with more than NCAA/MLS coaching experience would be a plus. We need to hire someone from outside the US.
I'm not saying I want it or like it. You just have to imagine that part of Bob's reasoning behind taking only 7 defenders is that Edu is gonna help if needed.
Bedoya>Ching>Findley IMO especially if the intent is to have Dempsey play up top. I can't believe I am feeling sorry for Brian Ching.
That would be fine... although I hate him beyond belief. I can probably name 20-30 coaches off the top of my head that I'd prefer to Bradley. I will be furious if his replacement comes from the MLS ranks.
i know but would be very entertaining. i just dont get why teams like australia can land a guy like hiddink and we can only grab ncaa coaches
this man would take our U-23 team (doesnt feel comfortable with older players) to the world cup, breeze through everyone playing beautiful football, before eventually falling to a more experienced and organized team' whats not to love
Not defending the US Soccer Fed. for hiring Bradley, but remember he hasn't coached a World Cup yet, so unless we go on a miraculous run through South Africa, I don't see him coaching this squad come 2014. The job didn't have the buzz associated with it in 2006 as it does now, which is why you saw Klinsmann turn it down. He was also about to take over at Bayern Munich. I think him moving back to the States signals that he would be open to taking the job if approached again. With Landon, Demp and Howard good for at least one more WC and all the young talent we have in the system and coming up, our potential opening will be enticing for bigger names
When looking at Bob Bradley's final 23-man roster, it's important to keep two buzz words in mind: "versatility," and "cover." Bradley used the first term Tuesday night, talking about the value of players who can play multiple positions. And U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati talked about the second, discussing the importance of having backup plans in case any of the several Yanks coming off injuries aren't at full strength when matches begin June 12. Those two words explain a lot about Bradley's roster choices and will factor into his game-time decisions in South Africa. "Versatility is important as you put together a 23-man roster," Bradley said Tuesday. It wasn't the first time he's pointed that out, and likely won't be the last. Let's take a look at four critical examples in the wake of Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Czech Republic and Wednesday's subsequent roster announcement: MAURICE EDU He was the most obvious cover guy last night. Edu started the match at central midfield, where he's been making an impression since rejoining the national team after a nearly year-long injury layoff. But in the second half, he moved to center back on defense to replace Oguchi Onyewu, who obviously hasn't knocked off the rust from his October knee surgery. "We played [Edu] there a little bit there through the camp, and now tonight was just a way to see in a regular game where that fits in," Bradley said. "Knowing that the comfort level we have of using him there helps us with some other decisions." Edu scored the game's first goal off a corner kick from his midfield position before dropping into the back line. "It's a position I played in the Olympics, so in some ways it's a little bit familiar," he said. He got beat late in the match for the Czechs' last goal, when he misjudged a long ball in the air, but said he didn't feel out of place on defense, and that he'd seen significant practice time in central defense last week. "Toward the end of the game I got a little bit tired, but I felt pretty comfortable, and if need be I'll play back there." Edu might not just be an emergency option in case of injuries or cards, either. Against particularly speedy teams, Bradley might prefer to use him in the middle over some of his bigger, slower center backs. DaMARCUS BEASLEY Edu's Rangers teammate started and played a half at left wing, but that's not the only place he's seen time in camp. "I got work at right midfield, left midfield and left back, throughout the week," he said. "It was fine, and Bob knows I can play a couple of different positions, so it's always good to have some kind of versatility in the game." Though the left-footed Beasley prefers playing on the right side of the midfield, where he can cut back into the middle and set up his stronger foot, he was willing to do whatever it took to make the roster -- including playing the Yanks' beleaguered left-back slot. "If he wants to use me in any way possible," Beasley said of Bradley, "I'm all for it." On Tuesday, Beasley looked quick, especially when tracking back on Czech attacks on the left side and providing some cover (there's that word again) for left back Jonathan Bornstein. STUART HOLDEN Holden started on the right wing opposite Beasley, but when Edu shifted to defense, he stepped into a central midfield role, highlighting not only his own versatility, but the multiple options the U.S. has in the midfield. "One of my strengths as a player is that I can play more than one position," Holden said following Tuesday's match. "I'm comfortable playing out wide on the right, and Bob knows I'm comfortable playing in the middle, as that's where I play with Bolton. He wanted to look at some people in different positions." Holden's adaptability could be key for the Americans if they opt for a five-man midfield against England, if Beasley wins back a starting job on either flank or if one of the more defensive-minded central options (Edu or Ricardo Clark) is sacrificed with the team needing a late goal. Plus, Holden's skill on set pieces -- both U.S. goals against the Czechs came off his free kicks into the box -- is an added bonus, giving Bradley another quality option besides Landon Donovan. Said Holden, "It's good to be able to have that from both sides and provide a different element." JONATHAN SPECTOR With Onyewu coming off a serious knee injury, and fellow central defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit dealing with lesser nicks, Edu isn't the only player getting a look at center back. Spector, who didn't dress Tuesday night, is one of them. He played well at right back for the Yanks last year during the Confederations Cup, and trained inside as well during camp. "Obviously we've got some injuries, especially with central defenders, so I've been getting some work there, and at the same time, I missed a few sessions with a minor calf injury, which I'm back from now," Spector said. "But yeah, there's been times I've been in the middle and on the right-hand side." Spector is used to swinging, which has been the story of his career. (He started out as a forward.) But it's been especially true over the past six months, when he's played on the right and at center back for the U.S. and left back for his club team, West Ham. "I'm certainly comfortable doing it," he says. "Obviously I'd prefer to be in one position and stick with it, but my versatility's been both a positive and a negative for me." But as Spector and others know, this is no time to be picky. "It's World Cup time," Beasley says, "so anywhere you can fit on the field, anywhere you can fit in on the 23, is where you want to be." Notes • B-team or not, we're not excusing the Americans' ugly performance against the Czechs. That said, heavy legs might have been a factor in the loss. A number of players admitted to wilting late -- not completely surprising, considering the focus on fitness (read: running, and lots of it) during the first full week of training camp. It's also worth pointing out that the Yanks got off to a slow start in each of the past two cycles. In 2002, they settled for a 2-2 tie with the minor league Richmond Kickers in a 90-minute scrimmage. Four years ago, the U.S. dropped a 1-0 decision to Morocco in its first send-off series game. • Anyone who's ever tried out for any team -- in any sport, at any level -- knows the importance of standing out. But catching the eye of a coach isn't only about how well you play. High school athletes across America will tell you that one of the oldest tricks in the book is to wear something flashy or unique, so you'll be noticed in the crowd. The strategy apparently worked for Beasley, Bornstein and Holden, all of whom took to the Rentschler Stadium field wearing bright orange Nikes. Then again, this strategy works both ways: Those same neon boots might only have highlighted the uneven play of Eddie Johnson, who didn't make the cut. • Last week, Onyewu told us that the one part of his game that had yet to come back was his "spring." Sure enough, Gooch got outjumped on the Czechs' opening goal Tuesday, during the same sort of play in almost the exact spot on the field he suffered a serious knee injury in October. That goal was the main reason Onyewu didn't get the highest marks postmatch, but on second viewing, outside of that one play, our impression of his overall performance improved significantly.
1. No goal scorer's 2. Injured back line (not that good when healthy) 3. Bad style of play 4. Horrible coaching 5. Do I really need to go on? People are putting way to much into the Conf. Cup performance. England will beat the USA. And the USA would be lucky to get 3 points from the final two games imo
Just curious what's bad about our style of play? We move the ball around a hsit ton better than we did under Arena
The team is better under bob then it is was under arena but its still not on a level it needs to be. To much long ball imo. At times this team just kick's the ball as far down the field as possible with no real target in sight. They waste to many possession. They don't attack enough.
To be fair, a lot of teams boot it down the field a lot. But we also do a pretty damn good job at moving it up through passes. I think you're getting a little trigger happy after last nights game, whether you realize it or not. We're better than Algeria and Slovenia, and when we have our A-squad going, it will be pretty obvious.
I have felt this way for a few months now. It has nothing to do with last night. This team will be lucky to get 3 points total in the WC imo We shall see in a few weeks
Why can't we beat Slovenia and Algeria? I'm sorry but it's not like they're stacked with talent. Both of those teams are very beatable.
The Confederations Cup was the worst thing that could have happened as far as expectations went. People forget we played pathetic in group play (we won't advance going 1-2 again), got absolutely dominated by Spain but Howard had an amazing game, and then choked vs Brazil. We really weren't that impressive, but it has risen the expectation for our WC performance a lot.
The same reason why we lost to Ghana and Czech Republic in 06 The USA is not that good. Country's like Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, England could field B teams who could beat the USA. The Best USA player can barely make it in the EPL on a shit team at that. The talent is not there to win. The USA needs a coach that has done it on the international stage. Someone who knows what it takes to teach. Not some NCAA/MLS rejects.
I agree with ocho here. The style of play is fine. The backline is far and away our biggest problem. Not sure agree with the no goal scorers either. World class scorers from each position?..No, but There is no reason to think that Altidore, Donovan, Dempsey, Holden, and even Buddle with whatever PT he gets can't produce enough goals to get past the group stage. The goal scoring aside (I know it's the MLS), everything I have seen from Buddle is just a confident player that is in the best form he ever has been. He could continue that in the WC regardless of his world competition experience. I think this team has good pace in the front but the D is going to do us in. On another note, I am happy Ching didn't make the team. I don't like it if it's him or Findley but I can't stand Ching so :feelsgoodbad:
lol England is going to RAPE the USA atleast 3-0 England will be a tough out this year. Finally got a coach who knows what the fuck he is doing.