We’re not experts; we just work here. And we’re sure to be wrong.
In the spirit of fun and our column on Saturday, we’ll take a half court shot at the roster invites being sent for the USMNT friendlies later this week.
We know Benny! will be there
Here we go, assuming a rather big 25-man roster:
G: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Troy Perkins
The Skinny: SURPRISE! I see Howard maybe getting a rest, but not not being on the roster.
DEF: Chad Marshall. Jonathan Bornstein, Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Eric Lichaj, Clarence Goodson, Edgar Castillo
The Skinny: All are either in the area or recently departed from the MLS playoffs.
MID: Benny Feilhaber, Michael Bradley,Clint Dempsey, Jose Francisco Torres, Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan, DaMarcus Beasley, Jeremiah White (W/FW)
The Skinny: One problem with TSG’s suggestions. Coach B favors defense–we don’t have a lot of it on that line above.
STRIKER: Kenny Cooper, Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Eddie Johnson, Chris Pontius, Marcus Tracy
The Skinny: Lots of new faces who are playing in the nearby radius, for the most part. Lots of speed added.
Notable absentees:
» Frank Simek (DEF): Too much injury time (possible)
» Johann Smith (STR): TSG wouldn’t be surprised, but he hasn’t been on the national scene in a while.
» Freddy Adu (MID): Hasn’t done anything to merit it.
» Marvell Wynne (DEF): Has had major injury concerns, but used to be in Coach USA’s pecking order.
» Danny Califf (DEF): Probably the most likely to be included. TSG is just not a fan.
» Heath Pearce (DEF): We said “notable.” Dallas is out, but now you’ve got a coming-on Bornstein and the possibilities of Castillo on the rear left flank. How’s Pearce getting run?
» Preston Zimmerman (STR): Austia is not too far away
» Eddie Gaven (MID): Not seeing it, but he’s available
» Chad Barrett (STR): Not likely
» Nate Jaqua (STR/MID): Could the lengthy Sounder sneak in with his recent performances. He is 28.
» Maurice Edu (MID): With no fitness, what could he prove? The TSG favorite it out via Twitter.
» MLS’ers still in the playoffs: Landon Donovan, Stu Holden, Ricardo Clark, Brian Ching, Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley, Chris Rolfe, Geoff Cameron (guy is strong lately)
Some rationales:
Bradley knows what he has with Beasley. Johann Smith is 4 hours away from Bratislava. Sacha is a former disciple of Bradley and can step-in in the absence of Ricardo Clark should Benny or MB get injured.
Take a shot in the comments below.
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Other weekend columns:
Open Tryouts for South Africa?
TSG Weekend Review: Weekend Revs: Reds, Blues & More
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Posted by matthewsf on 2009/11/08 at 10:28 PM
Tracy is a hail mary — we just need a little originality.
Posted by Antonio H. on 2009/11/09 at 12:10 AM
I think Tracy and Brek Shea have the same chance of making the roster. I have no idea if that’s a good thing or a bad thing
Posted by matthewsf on 2009/11/09 at 12:15 AM
Yeah, I hardly think Tracy has a shot; nor do I think he belongs — that being said, he is young and brings speed.
You can put him in there with any number of fast, not-super-technically proficient U.S. strikers.
Brek Shea would get even alive in pretty much any group game in South Africa.
Posted by Antonio H. on 2009/11/09 at 10:58 PM
what about McInerney(just kidding?). Although he does remind me a bit of Rooners
Posted by Antonio H. on 2009/11/09 at 10:59 PM
better yet. . .Stefan Jerome
Posted by Nick on 2009/11/09 at 7:10 AM
I was hoping we’d get to see Torres get another run out in a tough situation. Against Costa Rica he did control the game very well and made some excellent passes, but was it due to him becoming a better player before our eyes or Costa Rica’s “prevent” defense?
Leaving out Cooper when he’s been doing well with 1860 Munich, and would be facing a team very similar to what he faces on a weekly basis in Germany doesn’t make much sense…
Lichaj would’ve been nice to see getting some minutes, if only to push Bornstein for his position a little.