Risk and Roster

Written by: Gabe

Bob Bradley’s crazyman approach to player testing for the World Cup has left many of us confused by the USA manager’s approach to defining his final 23. He has scoured the crevices of MLS while breezing past glimmers of hope in players abroad. In short, he’s not winning many staunch supporters for his methods, just legions of anxious stomachs. In fact, some are already discussing who his successor will be following what is expected to be a decent but predictable South Africa exit. How can he keep his post in such hostile company? He must lead the USA to a better-than-predicted showing. He must take risks. But not just any risks… the risks I say.

GOOD RISKS

Charlie Davies, Stuart Holden and Oguchi Onyewu. If they have the fitness and the desire, he has to let this injured trio have a shot. I would risk a rusty Chuck, Stu and Gooch (all will have scarce—if any—club time before the Cup) over Brian Ching, Sacha Kljestan and Chad Marshall on a world stage where international experience can make or break a player’s confidence (I use “experience” loosely in Stuart’s case). These guys have loads of heart… and something to prove.

Herculez Gomez. He’s one of the top scorers in Mexico (a league that is better than MLS—see CONCACAF Champions League or any of its predecessors, in any season, ever) and he’s now a starter. Yes, “now” is only 2 months out from the big show, but the USA is short on goal scorers and this guy is the most-overlooked, surest-shot.

Maurice Edu. It might be a bit premature, but Maurice is hitting his stride. A reliable series of showings for Rangers shows that he hurdled the stumbling block many Americans hit when transferring overseas. I would roll the dice on Edu and keep his mojo flowing right into South Africa, where his defensive tendencies will be invaluable.

BAD RISKS

Connor Casey. I can’t hear about this guy as a possibility anymore. He’s a good player in MLS, but a step slow and several thoughts behind the finesse play the USA needs up top. His value is misrepresented by his one shining moment in Honduras (alas…) and should be removed from Bob’s consideration set.

Sacha Kljestan. Bad temper + sloppy play = a red card in waiting. Sacha presents the same risk as Casey: a micracle game against Sweden (hat trick? really?) earned him many trips back to the arena that he didn’t deserve. Leave him in Cali.

DaMarcus Beasley. Not sure what the deal is with Beasley but he has routinely underperformed (Germany 06) or flat out sucked (v. Brazil, Confederations Cup 09) in big games. The risk with him is in being bamboozled by his synergy with Donovan (and others) in games of low import. If he gave his best more often, he’d be a shoe-in… but he has burnt USA fans too many times.

Freddy Adu. It hurts, but I have finally given up on Adu 2010. He’s creative and driven, but the years of sporadic play from club to club has not built a reliable midfield man. The road back to top-tier international play is going to be a long one for Freddy… much longer than 2 months. Lucky for him, he’s still very young, and could impress in the next 4 years. Greece is a start. Adu 2014?

50/50

Edson Buddle. All signs point to a star on the upswing: amazing flurry of goals to start the 2010 MLS season, rumo(u)red interest from Blackburn Rovers, and perhaps even (fingers crossed) a reprieve from injuries. To me, Edson is the ultimate fifty-fifty risk. Today, I would leave him out, tomorrow I would bring him to bench. He could be a fantastic sub at striker… or not.