In the latest soccer news: Entering the mind of Coach Bob Bradley and attempting to predict his lineups for the Gold Cup and Confederations Cup presents a difficult task: much like creating ideas to rejuvenate our nations economy. Although Bob Bradley is blessed with the largest and deepest player pool in USA's history, it will be interesting to observe the strategy that will be implemented for these two major tournaments. Soccer Addict News will attempt to forecast a potential squad and Best Xl for the Gold Cup.
The Confederations Cup will take place from July 3rd -26th and will receive the greater importance this summer. The top players will be prepare for this event because it will be a great barometer to measure how the USA compares against the other group competition: Brazil, Italy, and Egypt. Who will be the players included for this tournament? It is safe to say that the roster that prepared for Mexico in Columbus could be a possibility. Adu, Cherundolo, and Edushould also be included in the lineups omitted due to injury or lack of playing time. With the basic roster established for the Confederations Cup, let's examine the options ahead for the Gold Cup.
With the Gold Cup taking place June 14th-28th, Bob Bradley encounters many options and alternatives to compose a competitive team. Will he give rest to the European players who played all season? Will he opt for bubble players? Will MLS players that are going to play in the Confederations Cup be used in the Gold Cup? It is probable that the US coach will blend players from MLS but will rely heavily on players from Europe that have not tired from the rigors of a full season. This roster selected could be competitive and formidable in the Gold Cup.
Who's is resting for the Gold Cup?: American's Abroad, exposed to the long European season, will receive rest and relaxation during the Gold Cup. Bocanegra, Onyewu, Howard, Cherundolo, Bradley, and Dempsey will spend time recovering from an arduous season. Adu, Edu, Johnson, Altidore, Spector, Simek, Sztela, Beasley, Pearce and Zizzo will benefit from lack of playing time and should be showcased during the Gold Cup. Of these players, Adu, Edu, Johnson, Altidore, Spector, Zizzo, Pearce and Simek will confront concerns of their club form, conditioning, and or in some cases injury concerns. Francisco Torres and Michael Orozco will jump into the mix withtheir Mexican league concluding. With this strong base of European and Mexican players starving for international game time, Bradley will embrace the options provided and evaluate the upcoming talent available. Experimentation should be a common theme: Bradley will utilize this core group and sprinkle in his favorites from Major League Soccer.
Experimentation- The Mad Scientist: If you ask those in MLS circles about a coach not afraid of experimentation, Juan Carlos Osorio, coach of the NY Red Bulls, would enter the minds of most being that he does not shy away from experimenting, altering, and changing formations and tactics. Although it is highly unlikely that Bradley calls Osorio for advice, the US coach can deviate from his normal regimen and experiment with players that could be useful for the Confederations Cup or qualifiers. Sacha Kljestan benefited from several opportunities that Bradley bestowed upon him during his trial transitioning from a bubble-player to a potential starter. During this opportunity for experimentation, it would be excellent if Bradley identifies players that translate well to the international game in the same way that Kljestan flourished in 2008.
What players would I like to see more of in the 2009 Gold Cup? Freddy Aduhas demonstrated that he plays well on the international level. Unfortunately, his club team yields little playing time, and Freddy and US fans are frustrated because he possesses the talent to excel. His presence provides a different dynamic, and the USA boasts a more explosive and creative offense when he is playing. The wonder kid and champion of most US soccer blogs, Kenny Cooper, yearns for the opportunity to play and make his name in the international game. His good foot skills and powerful striking exemplifies the traits of a good forward, but his critics believe that he lacks the target-forward qualities and work rate that has made Brian McBride and Brian Ching, household names for the USA.
Another canidate in US soccer obscurity, Jeremiah White, pleas for the chance to prove himself. Since Moving to Europe in 2004, the Wake forest graduate has appeared in 104 matches scoring 26 goals and has plied his trade in Denmark for AGF Aarhus since 2007. Despite being diminutive, White offers pace, steady playing time for a good Danish club, and plays right wing,a position that always needs reinforcements in US circles. The Danish League schedule and availability might interrupt his opportunities as he appears to be a long-shot, but Coach Bradley should consider him as an option.
Major League Soccer options: The MLS fills the void of remaining players adding its own flavor of veterans and upcoming young prospects. Many factors will determine the roster selection from MLS while Bradley works with all teams to ensure that a quarter of their seasons are not ruined through the international fleecing process. Robbie Rogers, Kenny Cooper, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Chris Rolfe, Chad Marshall, and Marvelle Wynne feature as the most likely to be called up for evaluation and consideration for the Confederations Cup. In addition, certain veterans could impress during the June camp: players like Jimmy Conrad, Igo Ihemelu, Pablo Maestroni, and John Harrington offer viable options. The bigger question will be: will the MLS clubs release their players for the Gold Cup or camp?
The 24 man Gold Cup Roster camp: This list identifies potential players on the radar. But injuries, lack of playing time, poor form, or limited availability by clubs could change the roster.
- Keepers:Brad Guzan, Dominic Cervi, and Marcus Hanneman.
- Defenders: Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, , Marvelle Wynne, Igo Ihemulu, Frank Simek, Jay Demerit, Jonathan Spector and Chad Marshall
- Midfielders: Jeremiah White, Francisco Torres, Danny Sztela, Maurice Edu, Robbie Rogers, Ricardo Clark, Pablo Maestroni, DaMarcus Beasley, Sal Zizzo, and Kamani Hill.
- Forwards: Kenny Cooper, Eddie Johnson, Charlie Davis, Chris Rolfe, and Freddy Adu.
Note: Michael Bradley and Sacha Kljestan will probably rest, but it would not be alarming to see either of the two players suiting up if needed. In addition, Either Clark or Holden will make the squad, but not both. Their inclusion would deplete the Houston Dynamo's squad. Under this scenario, Clark or Mastroeni will be omitted from the actual Gold Cup roster.
Potential Starting Xl: For experimentation purposes, I will attempt to predict an uncommon formation to evaluate the talent pool.
-----Altidore----Adu---
Rogers-Torres-Edu-Beasley
Pearce-Orozco-Demerit-Spector
----------Guzan-------
Another Variation for Fun: Bradley did use the Christmas Tree in the Gold Cup. Speed would exist on the right wing, ball possession and defensive coverage in the midfield, and Beasley at LB.
----------Cooper----
-------Adu-------Rolfe
Torres----Maestroni-----White
Beasley-Demerit-Marshall-Wynne
Not many US coaches have received the luxury and VIP Treatment that Bradley will encounter in the next few months boasting such a large player pool. US Fans and bloggers would like to test our player pool to determine who demonstrates the abilities to shine during qualifiers and possibly during the World Cup. Bob Bradley must relish this opportunity and illustrate to the non-believers that he possesses an open-mind to experiment and find a potential diamond in the rough. His legacy and perception could depend on it.
Who would you like to see starting? Who are your favorite players on the USMNT? Will Jeremiah White receive a call-up? Can the USA win the Gold Cup? Or is Mexico, Costa Rica or Honduras poise to lift the monstrous cup? What are your thoughts? Let us know.
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