A do over for Freddy
Bob Bradley announces his 23 man roster for the Gold Cup.
Goalkeepers: Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Eric Lichaj (Leeds), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Rizespor), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Freddy Adu’s inclusion stands out. Bob Bradley decides to resurrect the midfielder’s fortunes as he finds playing time with Turkish second league side Rizespor. It’s been a meandering journey for the one time teenage phenom after butting heads with micro managing Piotr Nowak at DC United six years ago.
Robbie Rogers call up is a real head scratcher.
The player who every pundit and fan was betting on was Timmy Chandler and his exclusion has everyone talking. Except for Eric Lichaj this is a slow and reactive defense.
Cherundolo is a solid right back but a wingback like Chandler would have given a different dimension with his speed and ability to bust open wide. Jonathan Spector is now exclusively used as a holding midfielder at West Ham after his performance as right back was widely disparaged.
On the other flank Jonathan Bornstein, Bradley’s first choice for years continues to inspire no confidence except in Honduras. One would have liked to see Jay De Merit in Gooch’s place because the former Watford defender is the only one capable of tracking back quickly. One still remembers how Bocanegra got burned by Asamoah Gyan in the World Cup. This defense could have a tough time stopping someone as elusive as Chicharito or the speedier Carlos Costly or Bryan Ruiz.
Robbie Rogers made a decent impression in the 2009 Gold Cup but since then he’s been unconvincing. For all his speed he’s lightweight on the ball. Not sure what Bradley was thinking there. Alejandro Bedoya would have been a better choice.
Chris Wondolowski last season’s Golden Boot winner has been in good scoring nick so one can see why Bradley would consider him. Having said that he’s a career journeyman not exactly in the first flush of youth. One would have preferred to give Teal Bunbury an opportunity for international experience.
There is news that Chandler’s omission might have to do with his club FC Nürnberg putting their foot down rather than the more eyebrow raising “fatigue” factor.