Bob’s roster intrigue for the October qualifiers

October 5th, 2009 | by: Brooks Peck |

Bob Bradley announced his 22-man roster for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica last week. Here it is in case you haven’t seen it yet:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 14/8 SO)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 24/3), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 4/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover: 19/0), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards: 1/0), Clarence Goodson (IK Start: 1/0), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan: 18/1), Jonathan Spector (West Ham: 3/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 13/4), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 7/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 20/5), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus: 4/0), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 6/0)

FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Hull City: 11/6), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids: 5/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 16/6), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich: 1/1), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux: 5/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 33/11)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

You’ll notice Jimmy Conrad replaces Jay DeMerit and his infected eye, and FrankenCooper makes a rare appearance in a full strength US MNT squad. After scoring twice in the Gold Cup, Cooper has done well enough to in his move to 1860 Munich, scoring three times in nine matches so far. Kind of amazing that the MLS-centric Bradley would give Cooper a look now that he’s out of the league and in the German second division, but hey — I like it.

The bad news is that Clint Dempsey will miss Saturday’s match against Honduras after suffering a sprained shoulder in the final minutes of Fulham’s draw with West Ham last weekend. He’s still in London and will be reevaluated at a later date to see if he can play the Costa Rica match.

So without Deuce, how will Bradley’s starting XI change? I would venture a prediction, but since Bob is sure to defy any logical forecast, I’ll just say don’t be surprised if Dempsey’s replacement is Brian Ching and Conor Casey tied together

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http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

“Don’t be surprised if Dempsey’s replacement is Brian Ching and Conor Casey tied together”

Are you suggesting a sort of three legged hybrid joined at the hip in a very wide jersey?

Or one on the other’s shoulders in a very long jersey?

The latter option could be the Brian McBride target man replacement the US has been looking for.
Brooks Peck

More the first option. I think that appeals to Bob very much.
CW

I am good with Dempsey on the bench. I love the guy but he has been so frustrating lately. In 90 minutes he’ll be our worst player in terms of keeping posession…then he’ll knock in a goal. I’m happy to see someone else get the start. Gimme Landon, MB, Feilhaber, and JF Torres across the middle, and AltiDavies up top.
http://dynamodynasty.wordpress.com/ Rex

Too bad, Michael Bradley wasnt the one out with the injury. I am just curious to see what the midlfield would look like with out him for once. I would love to see a Donovan /Clark combo in the middle. All offense and all defense, the perfect compliment for each other.
wilde man

It would be nice to see Torres get a start on the left side of the midfield. He is left footed, attack minded, has good vision and a nice touch, he will take on defenders, would help our possession woes in the midfield, and would mitigate deficiencies at left back by actually sending in some crosses. Move Donovan over to the right, start AltiDavies up top, and Benny next to Jr. And please, no more Bornstein. Instead, Sunil and Bunker Bob will start 2 defensive middies (Jr. and Rico), Ching, Bornstein, and some other MLS player in Deuce’s spot. But if they go with the Brinor Chingasey hybrid, it might actually make the $15 cover to watch the game worthwhile.
Unbelievable

“…I’ll just say don’t be surprised if Dempsey’s replacement is Brian Ching and Conor Casey tied together…”

Bight your tongue, laddy!!!

We won’t be able to see it anyway so wtf? I don’t even care. The U-20 players suck terribly. WTF? The sooner you get american football soccer dads away from soccer the better off the game will be. Everyone plays, the problem is no one knows how to coach.

GLTTMNT
yly

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