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Soccer Goals: After a heart-filled display but poor performance against El Salvador resulting in a 2-1 victory, Coach Bob Bradley selected his 20-man roster that will face Oranje. Only three players from the El Salvador friendly were called into this camp (Robbie Findley, ClarenceGoodson, and Heath Pearce).

 

 Soccer Videos: Post game reactions from the US vs El Salvador friendly

 

 

Despite a solid display in central midfield and adding the game winner in stoppage time, Sacha Kljestan was omitted from the roster and appears to be a fringe player on the outside. Interestingly enough, the speedy Robbie Findley received another callup despite an average showing.

 

Rangers team mates, DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, graciously received an invitation and could make a case for their inclusion against the talented Netherlands. Despite their injury woes and lack of consistent playing time, the two could find their way in the starting lineup if they perform well in the camp.

 

Bradley still rates Jose Francisco Torres highly as he continues to receive his customary callup: But will he earn sufficient playing time? Aspiring to earn playing time with the Pachuca midfielder, Stuart Holden hopes to make a lasting impression and earn a starting spot at right wing.

 

In the twitter world, Freddy Adu announced that he has picked up a hamstring injury, which could have cost him an invitation, but not playing regular club football for the past two years might have caused his omission, despite his improved form and playing time with Aris FC.

 

With Freddy Adu sidelined, attacking newcomer, Alejandro Bedoya, receives another camp opportunity, where he can build on his first training camp and game. Considered a long-shot to make the team, Bedoya does offer a two-way game, strong in the attack while remaining defensively committed during the game.

 

With Eddie Johnson's recent emergence in Greece and the other speedy forwards unable to take grasp of the position, the GAM has received another invite and could provide the speed element, while, also, aptly being able to hold the ball under extreme pressure. If Robbie Findley experiences another sub-par performance, it is likely that Eddie Johnson will assume this position if he continues his recent form.

 

Here is the US' 20-man roster

 

GOALKEEPERS- Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton) 

DEFENDERS-  Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United) 

MIDFIELDERS- DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS- Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

 

What do you think of the roster? Is Freddy Adu out of consideration? Who will make a statement in this game? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Bradley names 20-man roster to face Oranje

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Soccer Goals: After the US offered an incredible 2009 Confederations Cup performance, several USMNT supporters greeted Landon Donovan after he returned from South Africa. Shocked by the large crowd receiving him with chants of "Landon Donovan", the US interntional expressed his surprise and joy upon his arrival.

 

 

Fast forward a year, and the USMNT that will face El Salvador on Wednesday received a warm welcome from Tampa fans, as they left the tram from Tampa International Airport. With Tampa being considered as a potential city to be included in the World Cup bid for 2018 or 2022, the fans and buz surrounding the game demonstrates the potential in the city, a market that previously embraced the former NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies.

 

 

In 2007, when the USMNT faced Ecuador in a friendly where the US won 3-1 thanks to a Landon Donovan hat trick, the US supporters showed their support with a strong crowd, despite the poor 2006 World Cup showing. The attendance reached 35,000 which proved to be a pleasant surprise and demonstrated the fan base in central Florida.

 

Will the USMNT play more competitively? How many people will attend the game? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: The USMNT receives a warm reception in Tampa

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Soccer Goals: As Ricardo Clark, Landon Donovan, and Stuart Holden garnered praise for their European moves this offseason, another MLS departure, Herculez Gomez move to Puebla, was overlooked and ignored during the holiday break.

 

Now many are paying attention.

 

Soccer Videos: Hercules debut goal and scores game winner against San Luis

 

 

After scoring his first goal in his second game for Puebla with a scintilating header, observers have taken notice, realizing that Herculez' move to the Mexican Primera Division has been fruitful.

 

Lumping myself in that bunch, those who forgot about his move to Puebla, I realized that Gomez was on the bench, while I was tuning in to observe Edgar Castillo's exploits against Puebla in Jornada 1. In his debut second-half appearance, the former Wizard impressed in 20 minutes of play, almost scoring on several dangerous attacking sequences in a 0-1 defeat. In Jornada 2, the dynamic attacker broke his goal scoring silence, that carried over since his Wizard days, exploiting his aerial prowess and netting the header.

 

Since the beginning of the season, it was evident that the the US Copa America participant belongs down south. He has scored more goals with Puebla than he tallied with the Kansas City Wizards, where he scored one goal in 34 appearances.

 

So, why the differerence? For starters, the former Galaxy standout has moved back to his preferred forward role. Secondly, the Mexican Primera Liga emphasizes the player's technical abilities, which can create multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Despite having received superior service in Mexico compared to the likes of the Wizard's Claudio Lopez and Jack Jewsbury, Gomez offensive attributes have enabled him to thrive early on, boasting a blend of speed, size, technical ability, and aerial prowess, that has tormented opposing defenses on counter attacking sequences and set-piece plays.

 

Hopefully, his move will entice other dual-citizen players with Mexican/American heritage to ply their trade down south, while, also, catching the eye of Mexican Club executives, who would like to diversify their teams by acquiring players with contrasting skill sets.

 

Chivas USA team mates Jonathon Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan comes to mind, when discussing potential prospects, who could transition from MLS to the Mexican Primera Division. The former could be a desirable candidate, because of his dual-citizenship and free-agent status after the conclusion of the 2010 season, while the latter's skill set and passing meshes well with the Mexican League's play, coupled with his imposing stature and free-agent status would make him a viable future candidate . 

 

Having not been very impressed with Herculez Gomez in Kansas City and underperforming for the Colorado Rapids, I am glad to see the US international succeeding in his new home. Perhaps, his play could inspire more clubs to survey potential North American acquisitions.

 

MLS players could learn a different style of play, improving the technical aspects of their game, while offering their own attribtues to the Mexican league. This exchange would be beneficial for both Mexico and the US. Let's hope that the trend continues.

 

What do you think of Gomez' play? Will he continue to excel in Mexico? Which MLS player would you like to see in Mexico? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Herculez Gomez experiences success in new position and league

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Soccer goals: With the recent news that the USMNT will face uber competitive opponents in late May, Turkey and Czech Republic, the US' next European foe, the Oranje, have announced their provisional squad that will confront the Stars and Stripes on March 3rd in Amsterdam.

 

Soccer Videos: Holland vs England highlights - Let the scouting begin!

 

 

 

John Heitinga, Mark Van Bommel, Wesley Sneidjer, Nigel De Jong, Dirk Kuyt, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and Rafael van der Vaart form a stellar base of stars and offer a glimpse of the talent that will headline and compete  with the USMNT. This strong squad should supply a good dose of competition and will challenge the US battered center midfield that has been stricken by numerous injuries.

 

Netherland's 30-man provisional lineup.

Provisional squad: Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse Arnhem); Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ron Vlaar (both Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton) Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg ), Andre Ooijer (PSV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax); Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben (both Bayern Munich), Otman Bakkal, Orlando Engelaar and Ibrahim Afellay (all PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Wout Brama (Twente), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax); Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt (both Liverpool), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Eljero Elia (Hamburg

 

Are you impressed with the Oranje lineup? Will Coach Bradley change his tactics to mask the dinged central midfield? Would you like to see Gringo Torres in the starting Xl?

 

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Soccer goals: The central midfield position is considered the deepest of the USMNT, but several injuries to key player has left the defensive-midfield cupboard empty, as the Red, White, and Blue prepare to face Netherlands on March 3rd.

 

Soccer Videos: Torres 25-yard bomb against Puebla

 

 

With injuries to Ricardo Clark, Jermaine Jones, Benny Feilhaber, and Maurice Edu (who has since returned the Ranger's first team but has seen little playing time since last April), Coach Bradley should be grateful for the remaining in-form prospects, Michael Bradley and Jose Francisco Torres, a player who could offer a different look to the team that will, also, be missing Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, and Oguchi Oneyewu.

 

Focusing on the central midfield that will face the likes of De Jong, Van Bommel, and Sneijder (or several other midfield scenarios), Coach Bradley might have to consider adapting a different philospy against the highly talented Oranje,  a team that should hold a majority of the possession during the game.

 

With fewer horses in the stable to corral Oranje's beautiful football, feisty and diminutive midfielder, Jose Francisco Torres, could earn a starting spot, if Bradley elects the most in-form central midfielder. The Texas native has been performing admirably in league play, where he recently admitted that he had previously rested on his laurels which caused a dip in his play. However, his game has reached new levels as he has earned back his starting position and plays with a newly found confidence evident in the 22-year old.

 

Previously, Torres' play has offered a mix-bag of reviews on the international stage, where he has been both praised and criticized for the qualifiers against Costa Rica. His major playing time started in El Salvador as a second-half substitute, offering quick exchanges and accurate crossing, while inspiring a stagnant offense to score two-late-game goals resulting in a 2-2 draw. That performance earned the respect of the coaching staff, where his starting debut unfolded tragically against Costa Rica in Saprissa Stadium, resulting in the 3-1 beat down.

 

As Torres burdened a share of the blame for the defeat, grading his debut performance based on the US' performance is unfair, when the coaching staff should shoulder the majority of the  blame for starting with an experimental 4-3-3, that included veteran Pablo Maestroni a fading component in the USMNT scene, while failing to cover ground and offering little leadership. To make matters worse, Bradley debuted two new wing-backs Marvell Wynne and newly-minted left back, DaMarcus Beasley (an experiment that was scrapped shortly after that performance). It is safe to say, that his debut performance should have received amnesty or at least an asterik for the tactical meltdown.

 

Fast forward to the final hexagonal qualifier against Costa Rica, where Gringo Torres shined brightly as a holding midfielder -- a similar style of play that Claudio Reyna demonstrated for both club and country -- sparking the offense, facilitating possession, and providing crucial defensive stops. His play will not be forgotten by US fans, and he should receive similar accolades from Catracho fans, who adore Jonathan Bornstein for his header and triumphant heroics to qualify Honduras for South Africa.

 

Now parlaying his international experience with his club play, despite his small stature but creative flair, the Tuzo midfielder assumes his primary duties as a defensive midfielder but is also in charge of jump starting the Pachuca offense. Against Puebla last week, Gringo struck a marvelous 25-yard set piece bomb for the game winner, which also witnessed an athletic celebratory back flip circa 1988 Ozzie Smith .

 

While  playing for Pachucha in this role, the feisty midfielder has offered accurate passing, astute and quick exchanges, and the requesite defensive bite to maintiain good team balance. Against Chivas USA last night, his probing runs and field-switching passes provided excellent ball movement, which is subtle reminder to why he starts for one of the elite Mexican clubs.

 

Soccer Videos: Torres shines against Chivas USA in 0-1 defeat

 

 

To suggest that Torres is currently playing at his finest is not far fetched by any stretch of the imagination. The question now remains: Will he play important role in the Netherland friendly?

 

Will Torres earn a starting spot against the Dutch? Could you envision Edu earning the nod over Gringo Torres? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Will Jose Franciso Torres earn a starting position against Netherlands

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Soccer goals: Forward Charlie Davies returned to Sochaux on Wednesday, meeting with his team mates for the first time after suffering a severe injury in October in Washington DC two days before the final hexagonal qualifier against Costa Rica.

 

Soccer Videos: The Charlie Davies returns to Sochaux

 

As many pundits suggested that a potential six month recovery would be impossible, the US forward has progressed miracously and hopes to return to Sochaux in April. Although he would not declare a comeback date, he believes that his return will sooner than most would have expected.

 

If Davies returns to good form (though it will be an uphill battle), his stunning recovery will complicate Coach Bradley's roster selection of the USMNT for the World Cup.

 

Will Davies return before the French season concludes? Will he return to a strong form? Share your thoughts.

 

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