USA Names Gold Cup Squad

by stp23 on May 26, 2007 3:45 PM BST Comment 4 comments

Goalkeepers

Guzan, Brad Chivas USA (USA)
Howard, Tim Everton (England)
Keller, Kasey Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)

Defenders

Bocanegra, Carlos Fulham (England)
Bornstein, Jonathan Chivas USA (USA)
DeMerit, Jay Watford (England)
Hejduk, Frankie Columbus Crew (USA)
Onyewu, Oguchi Standard Liège (Belgium)
Parkhurst, Michael New England Revolution (USA)
Simek, Frank Sheffield Wednesday (England)
Spector, Jonathan West Ham United (England)

Midfielders

Beasley, DaMarcus Manchester City (England)
Bradley, Michael SC Heerenveen (Holland)
Clark, Ricardo Houston Dynamo (USA)
Dempsey, Clint Fulham (England)
Donovan, Landon Los Angeles Galaxy (USA)
Feilhaber, Benny Hamburg SV (Germany)
Mapp, Justin Chicago Fire (USA)
Mastroeni, Pablo Colorado Rapids (USA)
Ralston, Steve New England Revolution (USA)

Forwards

Ching, Brian Houston Dynamo (USA)
Johnson, Eddie Kansas City Wizards (USA)
Twellman, Taylor New England Revolution (USA)

The biggest surprise here is obviously the inclusion of 32-yr.-old Frankie Hejduk, but if you look at the roster as a whole it's not too surprising. The Yanks are incredibly shallow at right back, and with Steve Cherundulo unavailable due to injury, Hejduk is the next best available at the position. I hope the rest of the starting D features Gooch and Bocanegra in the middle and Bornstein on the left.

If we want to figure out the rest of the lineup, we should work from the front. Brian Ching will play in front of Landon as the forwards; it may not pay the same kind of dividends it did against Mexico, but their chemistry during that game was no fluke.

Behind them, the obvious choices to play on the wings are Dempsey and Beasley - though Dempsey's form this year could open things up for Brian Ralston to step in, which would give the side a slightly less aggressive/more balanced feel. Finally, the central midfield looks completely up for grabs, with Clark and Mastroeni competing as holding midfielders and Bradley and Feilhaber looking for a spot as controlling, two-way players. That one's a mystery to me - interested in other thoughts.

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

On second thought...

Frank Simek, though he still hasn't played for Bradley, may be the right back of choice. That will be an interesting call.

by stp23 on May 25, 2007 4:21 PM BST reply actions 0 recs

good points

i agree about Frankie, he has been an obvious soft spot on the US team for a few years now. to me, he epitomizes the fit US player that will play hard, but just lacks the higher level of skill required at international level. i'm surprised we don't have a younger replacement for him. doesn't Spector play right back? i would try him, even though he has not been great this last season. at least he is young and has the possibility to grow into the role in the future. does Todd Dunivant play on the right or left? he seems like an interesting possibility for outside defender as well (but is not on the roster).

in central defense, i think Bocanegra has earned his spot but i am not so sure about the Gooch project. on performance over the course of this last season, Jay Demerit is more deserving. Gooch obviously has greater physical presence and maybe greater long term upside, but Demerit deserves some playing time i think.

i agree on the forwards. i watched Ching and Donovan as a Quakes fan when they were both here, and i don't think we have a better 2 forward combination at the moment. Twellman deserves time too, all he does is tear up MLS and Bruce Arena never seemed to be impressed, inexplicably.

i agree on your midfield analysis as well. the two outside positions are probably set, although i would have a quick hook for Beasley depending on his effort and attitude. Mastroeni probably should get the defensive midfield position, Clark has been somewhat disappointing recently. not sure who the 4th should, i'd like to see Bradley or Feilhaber, just to get some new blood.

by row Z on May 25, 2007 7:19 PM BST reply actions 0 recs

just saw KC v. NE highlights

it looks like Eddie Johnson is in terrific form. he scored a hat-trick and looked very fast and aggressive. i think i underestimated him. he may not have been 100% over the last year or so due to injuries, but he looked electric yesterday. nice to see.

by row Z on May 28, 2007 7:23 AM BST reply actions 0 recs