With the United States Mens National Team set to play on Saturday 24th at 8:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel, it will be interesting to see what starting lineup Bob Bradley will choose against Sweden. Although the January Camp has experienced numerous injuries mainly in their back line, Bob Bradley will have several options going into the game. One option that is limited is depth at center back with Michael Parkhurst, Danny Califf, and Igo Ihemelu the only remaining central defenders.
Most of the center back participants were injured in the January camp, players such as Jason Hernandez, Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, Geoff Cameron, Sean Franklin, and Corey Gibbs who left camp for undisclosed reasons. Another back line option, Jonathon Bornstein, suffered an injury in Tuesday's practice, but thankfully an MRI revealed no structural damage and was cleared to continue training. After Friday's training, the USMNT medical staff and trainers will make a decision if he will be able participate in the Sweden match.
With this current development, I thought it would be good to get in the mind of Coach Bradley. What would the Coach do considering one of his left back options was recently injured? Will he surprise Sweden with an aggressive style or will he play more of a defensive attack?
Considering that most of the US roster is comprised of player that can combine going forward. It seems logical that Bradley's strategy will be to evaluate fringe players for the Mexico game, future depth, and potential attacking players for the qualifiers.
Brian Ching is a possible fringe starter, and Bradley will use the friendly to determine his fitness, hold-up play, and defensive effort for consideration for the upcoming Mexico game. Another fringe player could be John Thorrington who should see some minutes at right back. His evaluation criteria will be similar to Ching, but Bradley will determine if Thorrington will be the right back option for Cherundolo. Thorrington brings a tenacity, good crossing and ability to advance in the attack.
Bob Bradley will be looking to create more depth to his pool and will be looking at several players that have yet to discover much playing time with the USMNT. Robbie Rogers, Columbus Crew midfielder, recently won an MLS Cup and brought fear to opposing defenders with his ability to draw fouls and race past players with his 1v1 skills. His performance in the Olympics was average, and he needs to show more on the defensive end. He could be the reserve for Beasley at left wing. Stuart Holden, Houston Dynamo midfielder, has not seen the same playing time that Rogers has seen in the MLS but proved his worth in Olympic qualifiers and group play. With the recent departure of Dwayne DeRosario, Holden will be playing in the CAM position and will have an opportunity to show Coach Bradley his ability on the MLS level.
The U.S. youthful attacking options seem to be increasing with Charlie Davies and Kenny Cooper scoring 14 and 18 goals respectively with their club teams. Charlie Davies, a very fast and attacking striker, had a break out year with club Hammarby IF in Sweden. His first year in the Swedish league did not go well for him but finished the 2007 season on a high note with a hat trick. His recent international play has shown hopeful glimpses of his talent and speed with a great performance in the Olympics against Nigeria and scoring a goal against Trinidad and Tobago in a qualifier. Kenny Cooper, FC Dallas forward, dominated Major League Soccer with his great finishing, touch, and range. After recovering from a broken leg, Cooper made a mark on the league with a 18 goal season. Several European clubs made offers but were declined by MLS officials. His performance in 2009 will be crucial in his future European prospects. His international play has been better than most forwards scoring two goals in three games. The key will be if he can continue his goal scoring against better international competition. His limited National team appearance seems to be based on the perception that Cooper is not the pure target forward a la McBride. However bloggers, fans, and Kenny's father are jumping on the Cooper Express hoping that his inclusion will lead him to a ticket to South Africa.
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This a soccer video of Bornstein and Cooper speakin about their first goals with the USMNT
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Here is my starting lineup based on what Coach Bradley would do.
-------Ching----Davies-------
Rogers--Kljestan--Clark--Holden
Wingert--Phurst--Califf--Thorrington
------------Perkins-------------
It is possible that Wynne could start at Right Back. If he does not start, I see him entering the second half. Cooper should come in the second half for Ching. Jewsbury will come in for Clark. and Rolfe will come in for Holden. Bornstein might play, but I imagine that he will sit this game out due to his recent injury. Ihemelu should come in for Parkhurst in the second half.
GOALKEEPERS (4):Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids)
DEFENDERS (6):Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Michael Parkhurst, Ugo Ihemelu (Colorado Rapids) Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8):Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)
FORWARDS (4):Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)
Included are web logs that reference The Bob Bradley factor Starting Xl.