Bob Bradley has released the roster for the final two World Cup qualifying matches. Surprises are few and far between. Given the importance of these matches, especially the road match in Honduras, Bradley needs to go with the absolute best lineup he can.
Kenny Cooper makes his return to the national team with this roster. He’s been getting decent playing time in Germany with 1860 Munich. If he can provide some spark off the bench, the US might just have a chance at clinching their trip to South Africa before Costa Rica even gets to Washington. Jimmy Conrad has once again earned back his spot. Conrad has looked great in MLS play, and deserves a spot on the Yanks’ squad. I’ve been a fan of his ever since his gutsy play in the Gold Cup. He’s still got it, and the US can use that to their advantage.
A few players are missing because of injuries. Jay DeMerit, my preference at centerback (with Bocanegra on the left) is out with an eye injury. Chad Marshall is also unavailable, but I’ve never been all that high on him.
Here’s the full roster:
Keepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jimmy Conrad, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector
Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, Robbie Rogers, José Francisco Torres
Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Brian Ching, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan
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MLS Manifesto – Your Bandage is your Badge! // October 19, 2009 at 1:07 PM |
[...] I begin by dispelling the stereotype that MLS players don´t quite have the equivalent soccer IQ/decisionmaking as your European darlings. Jimmy Conrad went to a better school than you, has better taste in music than you, and has a wife that is smarter than yours. When not granting interviews to soccerblogs, he has played for the USMNT at the highest level. [...]