A familiar face from last summer will be missing. Charlie Davies who captured the imagination of US fans with his Confederations Cup performance did not make Bob Bradley’s 30 man roster. He is still recuperating from the injuries sustained in that horrific car injury in August last year. We had hoped that there would be an outside chance that he would make the cut.
Ultimately it came down to the US medical team and his club, FC Sochaux to make the determination as to his fitness. However as Bradley explained:
” FC Sochaux notified us that at this point Charlie has not been given medical clearance, and that they would not grant his full release to join the camp. Given that status and our own evaluation of his progress, we feel it is Charlie’s best interest to continue his rehabilitation and focus on getting fully prepared to resume his professional and international career.”
Davies was part of Bradley’s consideration right up till Monday but the coach took the long term view in his rehabilitation. Correctly so but one cannot but feel a huge emotional let down. Sadly, for Davies the World Cup came just too soon. I am sure bummed about this as must be thousands of US fans but it probably does not compare to what Davies must be feeling- who must be devastated.
Other injury returnees include Oguchi Onyewu and Stuart Holden who are back with their teams. Holden put in 25 minutes with Bolton and Gooch was on the bubble with the 18 man AC Milan squad. Their progress will be keenly monitored especially Gooch’s whose injury layoff was much longer because of a torn patellar tendon.
Jozy Altidore’s strike partner will be either LA Galaxy’s Edson Buddle or Hercules Gomez of Puebla. Both are having standout seasons. Hardworking Brian Ching gets a call. Robbie Findley so impressive for RSL last season has failed to find form in his national appearances. One can say the same for Eddie Johnson.
The Galaxy builds its high scoring around Buddle and his counterattacking qualities in tandem with team mate Landon Donovan. Their familiarity with one another should work to the USA’s advantage in the World Cup.
DaMarcus Beasley’s pace is attractive but he is a lightweight on the ball. Plus, he is now surplus to Rangers and has not played since early March. Alejandro Bedoya is probably the better option. Stuart Holden should be a lock on the right. He is also versatile enough to play on either wing and in central midfield too, giving the US attack a protean quality.
The inability to retain the ball has been a weak spot in the US game, so the addition of Maurice Edu, at Rangers, introduces a bit more holding capability. He should be a bit higher in the pecking order over Ricardo Clark because of his European experience. Michael Bradley should share center midfield duties and his understudy will be Benny Feilhaber bringing in a super sub reputation. The X factor as always is Clint Dempsey. Just when you count him out, Deuce comes up with a stunner.
The left back position remains problematic because Jonathan Bornstein, Bradley’s nepotistic first choice has had some real problems stopping players. A better option would be to move Carlos Bocanegra into that spot. The former Fulham man has grown into his role as left back at Rennes. Nationally, he is Onyewu’s regular partner at central defense.
Bradley can think about reintroducing Jay DeMerit as Gooch’s partner on central defense, a combination that worked very well at the Confed Cup with DeMerit’s performance coming in for praise. If Gooch struggles at training camp, then I can’t think of anyone better than Chad Marshall who brings a threat on set pieces too. Steve Cherundolo should get the nod over Jonathan Spector at right back.
Freddie Adu did not make it but the former DC United player’s European sojourn has been dogged with few appearances. Not a surprising omission. Conor Casey, Frankie Hejduk, Jermaine Jones, and Jimmy Conrad did not make the roster too.
Tim Howard, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Brian Ching, and Eddie Johnson are the repeats from the 2006 World Cup squad. Brian McBride whose heroic, bloody visage was one of the iconic images of that World Cup will not be there as he retired from the international arena. There are many who I am sure would love to have him back.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)