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Counterattack: Which Players Should USA's Bradley Have Called In?
Bob Bradley put phone calls in to 30 fringe USA players for a January training camp. Goal.com's U.S. national team editor Noah Davis and associate editor Zac Lee Rigg discuss which guys the coach left out and which players could make the plane to South Africa.
Dec 24, 2009 2:45:29 AM
Which players, other than those called in, should Bob Bradley have invited to the January training camp?
Noah Davis: Overall, Bradley and the coaching staff did an excellent job calling in players. Almost everyone I wanted to see in camp is there -- with the exception of those in Europe on club duty and those attempting to make the jump to Europe.
Zac Lee Rigg: I agree that it's a thorough list. If anything it's too thorough and a handful of those guys have no shot at making the national team.
Davis: One name I think he missed potentially was Darrius Barnes, the Revs central defender
Rigg: Barnes is a good shout. He got overlooked for the rookie of the year awards and now is overlooked for the NT. Any reason you can think he's getting spurned?
Davis: Well, there's the Alston factor. Other than that, I'm a bit at a loss. There are four center backs on the roster -- including some vets like Conrad and Marshall -- so perhaps there simply wasn't room.
Rigg: Sure, but Bradley's seen guys like Goodson, Marshall, and Conrad a bunch. I would think he'd want a closer look. Oh well.
Another guy suffering from a similar "Alston factor" could be AJ DeLaGarza. Omar Gonzalez got all the plaudits this year, but AJ was a feisty little contributor himself. With fullback the USA's weakest position, I thought he might get a look.
Davis: Along those lines, does Marvell Wynne's inclusion surprise you?
Rigg:
Yes, actually. His better performances this year have come closer to
goal. I'm not convinced he'll ever develop into a defender, and I
thought DeLaGarza had a better year than him. That said, you can't
count out Wynne's physical attributes.
Davis: Yes, but doesn't it seem like the physical attribute train can only go so far with Wynne? I felt like this was the year he needed to show what else he can do. And I don't think he did.
Rigg: No, he almost regressed. I've always thought he'd need to go to Europe for someone to teach him how to defend. The kid's just got no soccer brains. By now, it may be too late for any of that, and he could end up a mediocre winger when he might have been a quite handy fullback.
Davis: I wanted to mention the 'keepers.
Rigg: Hahnemann is usually on these sorts of lists, but now that he's getting some playing time with Wolves, I suppose that kept him out of contention. Would you have liked to see a stronger 'keeper there? It's probably the USA's deepest position, but still, these guys are WAY down the pecking order.
Davis: I'm not sure who exactly would make sense. That said, the youngest goalie in camp will be Perkins at 28. Then it's three, 30+ guys.
Rigg: Good point, surely someone under 25 could have used this chance to gel with the team.
Davis: Of course, if there's a position the U.S. doesn't need to worry about for the next decade, it's netminder. Honestly, while it's fine to quibble with the 'keepers, I think it's a lot of wasted air.
Rigg: That's true, no one is usurping Timmy Howard for quite some time.
Davis: Although it's sad to see them go, I'm glad to see Ching and Hedjuk left off the list.
Rigg: Why's that?
Davis: Their time has past, especially at a camp that's ostensibly for developing players. I'm glad this camp seems to be about finding their replacements.
Rigg: Understandable. I still think both make it to the World Cup.
I'll ask you the question on the lips of U.S. fans across the nation: Who the hell is Alejandro Bedoya?
Davis: Former B.C. Eagle, baby. He plays out on the left. I like seeing him in camp -- really shows the depth of U.S. scouting -- but can't see him getting on to the World Cup roster, especially if DaMarcus Beasley returns to form.
Rigg: Well, I suppose if he gets any minutes we'll all know exactly who Bedoya is.
Davis: Alright, do you think anyone can play himself on to the World Cup roster in this camp?
Rigg:
Besides the guys already in the mix (Bornstein, Conrad, Marshall,
Feilhaber, Rogers, Casey), sure, I'd say there are a couple. With
injuries to the center of defense, a young guy like Gonzalez or Cameron
could force his way on the plane. Up top, Bradley may turn to the pace
of Cunningham or Findley in the absence of Charlie Davies. A lot can
happen in six months.
Davis: Of course. Just think where we were six months ago.
Rigg: I believe a little guy named Freddy Adu was still halfheartedly in the mix. Boy, a lot sure has changed.
Davis: And the U.S. had improbably qualified for the Confed Cup knockout stage
Rigg: Your prediction for who makes it to South Africa from this roster?
Davis: I'd say locks: Bornstein, Casey, Feilhaber, Marshall, Rogers. Probables: Findley (I see him ahead of Cunningham), Conrad. Outside shots: Cunningham (can he stay in such good form for six months? I don't see it.), Pearce, Gonzalez, Kljestan, Tracy.
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Noah Davis: Overall, Bradley and the coaching staff did an excellent job calling in players. Almost everyone I wanted to see in camp is there -- with the exception of those in Europe on club duty and those attempting to make the jump to Europe.
Zac Lee Rigg: I agree that it's a thorough list. If anything it's too thorough and a handful of those guys have no shot at making the national team.
Davis: One name I think he missed potentially was Darrius Barnes, the Revs central defender
Rigg: Barnes is a good shout. He got overlooked for the rookie of the year awards and now is overlooked for the NT. Any reason you can think he's getting spurned?
Davis: Well, there's the Alston factor. Other than that, I'm a bit at a loss. There are four center backs on the roster -- including some vets like Conrad and Marshall -- so perhaps there simply wasn't room.
Rigg: Sure, but Bradley's seen guys like Goodson, Marshall, and Conrad a bunch. I would think he'd want a closer look. Oh well.
Another guy suffering from a similar "Alston factor" could be AJ DeLaGarza. Omar Gonzalez got all the plaudits this year, but AJ was a feisty little contributor himself. With fullback the USA's weakest position, I thought he might get a look.
Davis: Along those lines, does Marvell Wynne's inclusion surprise you?
 Marvell Wynne |
Davis: Yes, but doesn't it seem like the physical attribute train can only go so far with Wynne? I felt like this was the year he needed to show what else he can do. And I don't think he did.
Rigg: No, he almost regressed. I've always thought he'd need to go to Europe for someone to teach him how to defend. The kid's just got no soccer brains. By now, it may be too late for any of that, and he could end up a mediocre winger when he might have been a quite handy fullback.
Davis: I wanted to mention the 'keepers.
Rigg: Hahnemann is usually on these sorts of lists, but now that he's getting some playing time with Wolves, I suppose that kept him out of contention. Would you have liked to see a stronger 'keeper there? It's probably the USA's deepest position, but still, these guys are WAY down the pecking order.
Davis: I'm not sure who exactly would make sense. That said, the youngest goalie in camp will be Perkins at 28. Then it's three, 30+ guys.
Rigg: Good point, surely someone under 25 could have used this chance to gel with the team.
Davis: Of course, if there's a position the U.S. doesn't need to worry about for the next decade, it's netminder. Honestly, while it's fine to quibble with the 'keepers, I think it's a lot of wasted air.
Rigg: That's true, no one is usurping Timmy Howard for quite some time.
Davis: Although it's sad to see them go, I'm glad to see Ching and Hedjuk left off the list.
Rigg: Why's that?
Davis: Their time has past, especially at a camp that's ostensibly for developing players. I'm glad this camp seems to be about finding their replacements.
Rigg: Understandable. I still think both make it to the World Cup.
I'll ask you the question on the lips of U.S. fans across the nation: Who the hell is Alejandro Bedoya?
Davis: Former B.C. Eagle, baby. He plays out on the left. I like seeing him in camp -- really shows the depth of U.S. scouting -- but can't see him getting on to the World Cup roster, especially if DaMarcus Beasley returns to form.
Rigg: Well, I suppose if he gets any minutes we'll all know exactly who Bedoya is.
Davis: Alright, do you think anyone can play himself on to the World Cup roster in this camp?
 Jonathan Bornstein |
Davis: Of course. Just think where we were six months ago.
Rigg: I believe a little guy named Freddy Adu was still halfheartedly in the mix. Boy, a lot sure has changed.
Davis: And the U.S. had improbably qualified for the Confed Cup knockout stage
Rigg: Your prediction for who makes it to South Africa from this roster?
Davis: I'd say locks: Bornstein, Casey, Feilhaber, Marshall, Rogers. Probables: Findley (I see him ahead of Cunningham), Conrad. Outside shots: Cunningham (can he stay in such good form for six months? I don't see it.), Pearce, Gonzalez, Kljestan, Tracy.
Counterattack runs every Thursday on Goal.com
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