Bob Bradley Gets Some Sense Knocked Into Him

As you all probably saw when Brooks posted the roster a few short days ago, it appears that, for now, Bob Bradley actually knows what he is doing in regards to roster selection. It took him long enough.

But even with a roster so popular due to its cornucopia (yeah, I said it) of youth talents, as Bob Bradley has learned from reaction to his recent slew of results, you just can’t please everyone. (Cough No Cooper Cough)

So let’s take a look at this thing. Time for a little roster breakdown, position by position.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 6/5 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)

Keepers: Par the course here for the most part. Troy Perkins deserves a mention, possibly earning his first cap in one of these two matches…but probably not. He should be better for the camp experience though and apparently has been playing pretty well abroad with Valerenga IF of the Norwegian league. Yeah, I know you’re a closet Valerenga supporter…

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 17/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 11/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 5/0)

Defenders: This is the backline that’s been keeping all those shut-outs, and expect more of the same. The starters should look just as they have been, with Pearce - Boca - Gooch - ‘Dolo across the backline. A couple things of note though: Carlos Bocanegra has been tearing it up at French club Rennes, who tore down powerhouse Lyon 3-0 this weekend, where he is in fact playing at left-back. Danny Califf also makes another roster. His versatility in the back is huge and he has impressed me every time he’s been out there in recent time. He or Elbows Orozco or Jay DeMerit, in some scenario, could allow Boca to move to that left-back position if Bob wishes. Which he probably doesn’t, as why fix this thing if it ain’t broke?

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 1/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 19/4), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach: 5/2), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 3/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 0/0)

Midfielders: Time for the good stuff. Three names jump right off the list. Those being Adu, Szetela, and Torres. Wait Torres? Who the freak is that? If you hadn’t heard, Jose Francisco Torres is a 20 year old Pachuca prodigy, earning significant minutes from them in their last two campaigns. He is pretty small in build (5′5″), but makes up for it with his lightening quick speed, dribbling ability, and a tricky left foot. Yes, we finally won one in the battle of duel-citizenship and hopefully it’s not our last. Just as DaMarcus Beasley seems to be loosing his touch a little bit out on the left wing, this kid is coming in at a perfect time to make his claim for a regular spot with the squad. But we all know how tough that is when youth is on your side and Bob Bradley is your manager.

Two other kids with the same plight, Freddy Adu and Danny Szetela, also get their first call in a little bit. Szetela, along with Boca and Gooch, has been one of the most consistent Yanks Abroad this season, earning a full 90 minutes of action with Brescia just about every time they run out there. Starting for a Serie B team who is challenging for promotion ain’t bad at all. Especially in this year of Yank disappointment so far.

Freddy comes in off a whole different situation. He is getting 10 minutes, at best, when he is inserted for Monaco. He earned 0 minutes this past weekend in another Monaco loss, this one 0-2 to St. Etienne. I just don’t get it. Why do you take a player on loan if you are not going to play him? It just doesn’t make sense. I’d rather him be training at Benfica right now than at Monaco if they are just not going to play him. There are two schools of thought on Adu’s call up to the nats this week. One being that it was the right move because he is a flat out good player who can help with the creativity in the midfield. The other being it was a bad move because he needs time to settle in if he ever wants to see the field for Monaco. I say good for him to get called in. He gets the opportunity to play competitive soccer and imbed himself more in the set up as we get closer to 2010. As he well should.

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 0/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 9/4), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 11/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 24/8)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore finally gets another call. Thank Jeebus. He’s only had one appearance at Villarreal and, quite frankly, that’s all he should have. He’s 18. He plays for the league leaders of La Liga. There is no way he should be in these games. I’m impressed he’s even made some game day rosters and made an appearance. Once the cup season rolls around, than he might start seeing some playing time and we can all rejoice. Until then, I expect Bob to play the best striker in this pool in both games. That being Jozy Altidore.

Clint Dempsey also seems to be on the up and up after this weekend, earning his first start for EPL disaster club Fulham FC. By all accounts he was the most dangerous man on the pitch and this should lead to more playing time for the Texas native. He’s been playing great in the qualifying matches and increased playing time at the club level should only work to bolster his confidence ten-fold. We need that guy back who takes on defenders at will.

Impressive Shweed club performer, Charlie Davies, also gets in on the act for the first time since the Olympics. From the speed and instinct he showed out there, he needs to get some playing time here too.

And Brain Ching? I think Brooks covered that one.

Wow that was long. I’ll be back.