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Time to pare the roster
Defensive lapses and over-eager individuals characterized the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 4-2 loss to the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening. The final score, however, was not as important as what coach Bill Bradley will have to do next.
On Wednesday, Bradley will cut his 30-man roster to the 23 he plans to take to the World Cup in South Africa. The initial roster already looked like it had at least a half-dozen pretenders, and after watching the team in action in East Hartford, Connecticut, here’s how it looks.
Book ‘Em: First, there are the definites. Start with the eight players who didn’t dress for the game. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit, midfielders Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber and Michael Bradley, and forward Jozy Altidore will go to South Africa. Most of them will likely play Saturday in a tune-up against Turkey.
Of the eight, the only one I doubt is Feilhaber. He always seems not quite good enough. While Altidore did little for Hull City, he will get marquee time on this trip. Bocanegra is coming off hernia surgery less than three weeks ago, but Bradley won’t leave his captain behind. The other five form a stout core.
The ‘Keepers: Brad Guzan gave up four goals, but he will be going to backup Howard and fight with Marcus Hahnemann for space on the reserves bench. I still don’t think much of Guzan, but Bradley seems likely to stick with him.
At Defender: Chad Marshall and either Clarence Goodson or Heath Pearce were the defenders least likely to go to the World Cup before Tuesday. Marshall never got on the field and won’t be around. Goodson looked good in the air, but questionable on the ground. However, the coach complimented him after the game, likely putting him in the final 23. Pearce was largely responsible for two Czech goals and looked bad. Pearce will watch the games from home.
Of the remaining defenders, Oguchi Onyewu looked rusty, but he played 65 minutes and will be facing England on June 12. Steve Cherundolo was passable in the first half and dangerous on attack in the second. He wore the captain’s armband for the night and will get a chance to practice Afrikaans and Swahili next month. Jonathan Spector sat on the bench and will likely do the same in South Africa. Jonathan Bornstein looked mediocre, and probably lost his spot to Goodson.
So, subtract Marshall, Pearce and Bornstein from the 30.
Middle Muddle: Maurice Edu scored his first international goal in a scramble in the 17th minute, and got exposed in the air on the Czech’s fourth goal. He’s a borderline choice, but he likely crossed that border on Tuesday. DaMarcus Beasley and Stuart Holden, both questionable choices on the initial roster, showed the hustle and game sense to make the squad. Holden was a surprising scrapper and his corners set up the two goals. Beasley looked better than he has in years.
Alejandro Bedoya and Sacha Kljestan each saw the field for the final time as second-half substitutes. Neither did anything to merit inclusion on the 23-man roster. Robbie Rogers delivered a thunderous shot and added some spark to the side, but he remains on the fringe.
Then there is the X factor, Jose Torres. I was elated to see him start. On a night where everyone wanted the ball, he was one of the few capable of controlling the sphere. He may not see a minute on the field, but he’s going to be on the World Cup roster.
The original 30 loses Bedoya, Kljestan and Rogers.
Up Front: There’s only one cut left to make, but there were several more players deserving of the ax.
Exhibit 1: Eddie Johnson. This was a wasted space the moment his name was announced on the initial roster. Johnson did nothing. Again.
Exhibit 2: Robbie Findley. Didn’t get on the field. Not getting on the plane.
Edson Buddle didn’t score, but played well, and has been linking with Donovan at Los Angeles. I still think he is a lock to go. Brian Ching delivered a nice backheel pass and hustled — these items will likely take him to South Africa as the lesser Brian McBride.
Which brings us to Herculez Gomez, and I owe him an apology. He scored the team’s second goal (A header no less!), showed flashes of speed and appears to be the player he was in glimpses during his time as a Colorado Rapid. I didn’t believe it 14 days ago, but I believe after tonight that the guy with one of the coolest names ever (Come on, it’s Herculez!) is going to the World Cup.
Finally, a Surprise: For those of you keeping track, that brings us to eight likely cuts, one over the needed seven. This gives Bradley the chance to pull one name from the pile of Marshall, Pearce, Bornstein, Bedoya, Kljestan, Rogers, Johnson and Findley. I’ll go with my gut and take Rogers. His shot was a screamer, and he lit up the pitch for about 20 minutes at the start of the second half. I think he got his spot. Now, I just have to hope that Bradley agrees and doesn’t waste the choice on Johnson.
Paring Knife: Ultimately, this process seems to have existed to cut away the MLS players. Of the nine invited to camp, Bornstein, Marshall, Pearce, Kljestan and Findley are likely staying home. Rogers may barely squeak in, joining Ching, Buddle and Donovan on the final roster.
Of the European-based 19, only Bedoya, playing in Sweden, and Johnson, in Greece, are unlikely to make the final roster.
And, the two players from the Mexican league, Torres and Gomez, both appeared to make the cut.
Next: Now the wait begins for Bradley to announce his roster in about 12 hours.
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