Here are Bob Bradley’s selections for our upcoming World Cup qualifier in Colorado:
GOALKEEPERS: Brian Edwards (Toronto FC), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)
DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
MIDFIELDERS: Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Nick LaBrocca (Colorado Rapids), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS: Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Chad Barrett (Toronto FC), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)
Now, we’ve already qualified for the final round of qualifying, and GUA is not exactly a formidable opponent, so I’m not surprised that this list basically looks like it’s filled about 90% with guys who won’t be on the pitch in South Africa in 2010.
Only three of the selections do not play in MLS. Once this week’s games conclude, it’s likely deserving members of the losing squads will also get a call up.
What do I think of the selections? Well, I love them. Here’s how I would use these guys:
——–Ching———-Cooper——-
C. Clark———————–Klejstan
——Mastroeni——-R. Clark——–
Bornstein—Parkhurst–Gibbs—Moor
—————-Edwards—————
In the second half, I’d play Perkins @ keeper, bring on Goodson and Franklin for Bornstein and Moor, LaBrocca for Mastroeni (which will never happen, but I’d like to see it), and Barrett and Casey for Ching and Cooper. That way, everyone would get to play (well, except Pickens and Arnaud).
Will Skeletor do the same? I doubt it. He and I never really agree on player personnel decisions. Despite that fact, I do think he’s doing a fine job and I’m glad to see him taking a chance on some untested, young players with these selections. I hope he adds a few mids though, as the current roster is looking a little light in that area.
Overall, I get almost more excited to see these young pups play than I do to see our A Team (wouldn’t it be cool if Gooch went with a Mr. T inspired look for the 2010 WC?). There is only one way to find out which of these lads deserves to play on the World’s biggest stage, and that’s to throw them in the fire and see how they do. I’m betting they will do quite well @ the Dick and secure another qualifier victory for the US.
