Goal.commentary: Players Bradley Should Call

By Noah Davis

With wins in its first three semifinal round games, the United States national team has given itself a rare luxury: breathing room. Two points in its final three games will see the squad through to the final round, meaning Bob Bradley can, and should, use the opportunity to test out some under the radar talent. I'm not talking about Jozy, Freddy and even Kenny Cooper, who soccer pundits have been arguing deserves a place for months.

Shining on an international stage is as much about presence and poise as it is about raw talent, especially in the fledgling United States' program where so many players are similarly skilled. But a player needs time to shine, and the five below have shown enough potential to merit another shot. Mr. Bradley, get out your iPhone: It's time to make some calls.

Charlie Davies -- The former Eagles lightening bolt spent part of the summer with the United States Olympic team, playing as a substitute for the final 13 minutes against Nigeria. His success in limited action had second-guessers wondering if he should have seen the pitch earlier. Why not give him a run against Trinidad or Guatemala. Davies may lack a world class first touch (although what U.S. striker doesn't?) but his sheer speed can overcome such decencies. Bradley's strategy of using Brian Ching to hold the ball up could use another option, and Davies might provide the needed release valve.

Brad Davis -- Davis and Bob Bradley have a history, albeit not a good one, as the coach traded the left midfielder almost immediately after taking over the MetroStars. Davis has played on the senior national team -- making three appearances in the 2005 Gold Cup and scoring a shootout PK against Panama in the final -- but has yet to see the pitch in the post-Bruce Arena era. While his goal scoring in Major League Soccer is down this year, the Dynamo midfielder has refined his touch as a distributor, notching seven assists.  Given the chance, his brilliant left foot could slide in and replace the effective, but aging, Eddie Lewis, especially on free kicks where the U.S. continues to score so many of its goals.

Davy Arnaud -- In the never-ending search for forwards, Arnaud is yet another option. The Kansas City man scored on a ridiculous strike from 30 yards out against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday that no one in the world would have saved. It's the kind of individual brilliance the United States needs to get on a more regular basis. While it's questionable -- ok, unlikely -- that the striker would have been able to find the space and time to get off that shot on an international level, you have to love the confidence and audacity it took for Arnaud to even attempt the blast. As the stage gets bigger, that fearlessness is an invaluable, and unteachable, trait.

John Thorrington -- The diminutive South African born midfielder saw seven years between his first cap in 2001 and his second in 2008 during the second leg of the Barbados home-and-home. After waiting more then half a decade, the return was sweet, but the well-traveled Chicago Fire man needs more then 11 minutes to show his development. He's shown a knack for scoring in the MLS this season, with five goals coming in 19 matches. Not exactly lighting the record books on fire pace, but Thorrington frequently scores game-winning tallies. He's a player hardened by years in England -- the first ever youngest American signed by an EPL team -- and this experience should serve him well on an international stage.

Cory Gibbs -- While the previous four players on this list have limited, if any, senior team experience, the former Brown University all-Ivy League defender has played a vital role in U.S. qualifiers -- winning 19 total caps -- and was on the initial 2006 World Cup roster before reinjuring his knee. He'll never be the same player that he was before the unfortunate rash of injuries, but now that he's back on American soil playing with the Colorado Rapids, Gibbs is blossoming into someone who could once again be a more than serviceable defender on the national team level.

Noah Davis covers the United States national team for Goal.com.