The Fringe Five: Top Stars On The Outside Looking In

February 16th, 2010 | by: Dave Martinez | View Comments

As the clock continues to wind down towards World Cup 2010, there are a plethora of players striving to make their dream a reality; being a part of the US National Team heading into South Africa.

Off of the clear successes this team has enjoyed during the Bob Bradley era, the States are expecting to turn in one of the most memorable performances in it’s long and painful soccer history. Never has this national team ridden such a wave of optimism and successes heading into the World’s biggest tournament.. And for once, their group draw doesn’t seem like a one and done affair.

Now tell me, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

Here are my top five players who are on the periphery of USMNT World Cup classification.

Feel free to drop your own top five in the comments.

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1. Eddie Johnson

Count me amongst the few believers left in the EJ experiment. Though he has traveled up and down Europe since his arrival, EJ finally seems to have found a welcome home in Aris of the Greek league, where he tallied a wonderful put in from an Adu feed a few weeks back, and returned the favor for Adu’s first goal.

Eddie still possesses all of those God given talents which have made the youngster a ray of hope in the American youth systems. He is quick on his feat, has a great shot, and can be a threat up top. But he kind of reminds me of a first time snowboarder going down the bunny hill; he has the terrible tendency to put the breaks on his own speed, and look for a safer option. Usually that comes in the form of an offense killing back pass or a pure loss of possession.

Eddie is one good psychologist away from being an explosive player. And quite frankly, the Prem proved not to be the place where he could learn what it means to be an attacking forward. Perhaps Greece will be. With the unfortunate injury of Charlie Davies, and his current form, EJ may very well sneak into the World Cup roster before you know it.

2. Freddy Adu

By age 20, everyone expected Adu to be firmly in place with the USMNT. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. But unlike many others, I am not down on the 20 year old. He is still suffering from one of the most over hyped publicity machine of all time, from his signing at age 14 to his early comparisons to Pele (of all players!). As such, he could never live up to the expectations on any level. At DC United, his efforts fell short, and after shining brightly in the U-20 World Cup against his peers, he could not live up to the lofty expectations of the European leagues which went after the name and the player they saw in that tournament.

Now, he has found himself at Aris along with EJ, and he has also made the most of his appearances, already tallying a goal and assist. Will a continued streak of good play earn him a spot on the Nat’s? His form would be a definite concern and consideration if he were to ever manage to break his way in.

3. Damarcus Beasley

Beasley has been a mainstay with the National team for years now. An unlikely and unfortunate string of injuries has not only sidelined him from National team action, but has made him an after thought at Rangers. Compound that with the horrendous appearances Beasley has endured with the Nat’s the last few times, and you have a recipe for dismissal.

His size has always been an issue, as he is routinely swatted away by monster attackers and midfielders. But where he is most effective is in the open space, creating quality crosses and passes in the midfield that lead to opportunities. Sure, his talents are definitely of use, but in his current form, and with the glut of midfielders in the US system, Beasley is behind the eight ball. His injuries have opened up opportunities for other players to fill in, and his abysmal performances in both the left wing and left back positions puts him right at the precipice of elimination.

Will he be able to regain form and win a spot back?

4. Brian Ching

Oh Chingy – all that size, skill and power, and what has he delivered? Unless he has Donovan pinpointing crosses to his forehead, Brian Ching proves to be largely ineffective up top. The mere fact that Conor Casey ranks above him on the depth charts speaks volumes (and no, that isn’t a shot at you Casey).

Chingy is up here because he was a mainstay for the Nat’s. Even with a coaching staff, and roster pulling for his success, he has continuously fallen short of expectations. Once heralded as the forward that will supplant Brian McBride up top, Ching would be lucky to crack the bench.

5. Charlie Davies

All I have to say is we are all pulling for ya’ Charlie. The World Cup is all about miracles my friend. And many of us believe you have what it takes to pull one off.

We keep you in our thoughts and prayers big man.