Soccer Goals: After suffering multiple injuries to key USMNT players, the US Soccer headquarters and training grounds looks more like a M.A.S.H. unit than a soccer federation. Oguchi Onyewu, Charlie Davies, and Jay Demerit will miss considerable playing time with both club and country. With CD9's release from the hospital and anticipating a long road to recovery, the US centerback tandem could also miss the World Cup, if injuries persist or their failure to return to form and match fitness.
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This scary prospect has granted Coach Bradley carte blanche to experiment with his player pool in order to build greater depth and potentially find the next diamond in the rough similar to Charlie Davies' 2009 Confederations Cup performance. Matters won't be easy, though, as many key players will remain stateside to finish out the MLS Playoffs or conclude the Mexican Primera Division season.
Facing a daunting task of restocking the US' bare kitchen cupboards will challenge the coaching staff and could effect team performance and chemistry. Many questions still persist at forward, center back, and left back. Who will step up their game in the Slovakia and Denmark friendlies to ensure further callups?
In my opinion, the most intriguing topic in these upcoming friendlies is the search for the next forward to emerge as the speedy forward template exploited by Charlie Davies, a position that embodied a physical mentality that unsettled opposing defenses with his speed, intensity, and solid finishing.
Scoring 16 goals in a 15 game span, faster than the commencement, engagemnt, and wedding of Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom, striker Jeff Cunningham exposed MLS defenders with his speed and one vs. one dribbling, once the talented Kenny Cooper departed FC Dallas to 1860 Munich, while JC assumed the position of the "Man". After four years of being packed away, moth balled, and stored in Bruce Arena's self storage, the volatile and speedy forwards aspires to match and exceed the production of CD9.
Continuing the quest for the the Holy Grail of US Soccer (CD9's replacement), Coach Bradley turns to another oldie-but-goodie, Eddie Johnson. Although relatively young, athletic, and featured as a Fulham reserve, EJ resumes national team duty after a long layoff. Hoping to rekindle the magic that propelled him to considerable praise in the 2004-05 epoch for his international goal-scoring exploits, his European experience and production has been been more disappointing than the California real estate market.
As many predicted that EJ would be loaned off to another Championship club, Fulham coach Roy Hodgson opted to retain his services after impressing in 2009 preseason and reserve play. Playing time has not come easily, but the frequently criticized Florida native continues to experience the English rigors of fighting for playing time. If EJ's potential and play impresses in the upcoming friendlies, additional callups could be in the cards for 2010.
The most surprising callup came from way out in left field, when Dax McCarty received his first callup for the USMNT. Considered by most to be completely off the international radar, the bouncy red-haired midfielder boastd his best professional season, almost propelling FC Dallas into the playoffs despite a horrid first half season. Although Dax impressed in the 2007 U-20 World Cup and 2008 Olympics qualifiers with technical ability and work rate, he seemed a longshot to receive callup due to the US' dearth of central midfielders and perceived inferior physical demeanor.
Friendlies could have not come at a better time for Coach Bradley and Company, considering that the US desperately needs to find forward depth. Included is the starting Xl that I would field against Slovakia. In addition, I will include the roster that I believe Bradley will unveil on Saturday.
My proposed starting Xl versus Slovakia
------Altidore---Johnson
Rogers-Feilhaber-Bradley-Dempsey
Bornstein-Bocanegra-Marshall-Spector
-----------Guzan--------
2nd Half Substitutes
------Casey----Cunnigham
Kljestan-McCarty-Bradley-Dempsey
Pearce-Bocanegra-Goodson-Spector
----------Guzan-------------
Coach Bradley's Starting Xl
----Casey------Altidore-----
Rogers-Feilhaber-Bradley-Dempsey
Bornstein-Bocanegra-Marshall-Spector
------------Guzan-----------
With the US devoid of real flank play, the starting duo of EJ and Altidore will force the Slovakians to respect our speed, which will create more midfield space to operate. The key to success could emerge in the center midfield, where Feilhaber and Bradley must understand their defensive roles. Not playing a disclipined tactical game could expose a US back line that has looked suspect during stretches during the hexagonal.
Since injuries are part of the game and the US has weathered this storm in many cases, it is hopeful that the USMNT can establish legitimate alternatives for South Africa. Poor form, lack of playing time, and injuries have witnessed several key veterans fall in and out of favor and has forced the US coaching staff to adapt to these setbacks. Although injuries to key starters are not ideal, the US has shown its growth when they implement new players to the squad. Raising their game against Europe competition will bestow greater confidence to Coach Bradley to consider those who were not previously considered.
Who will rise to the top? What is your starting Xl? Which forward would you like to see emerge in the CD9 role? Share your thoughts.
Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Who should the US Start against Slovakia?
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