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U.S. 23-man roster for South Africa: March Edition

Monday, 15 March 10, 03:18 PM · Comments (0)

March is halfway gone, and the U.S. men's team won't play another match until May 25, when they host the Czech Republic and Turky for the World Cup send-off series.

Form and fitness are at the top of the list for players and their hopes of making the U.S. roster for South Africa. Time is running out for those on the fringe, and it won't be easy to change Bob Bradley's mind.

Goalies: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann

Between the posts, the only thing that could change this would be a severe injury to any one of these three. Many wonder if Tim Howard were to get hurt, if Brad Friedel would get the call. Don't think that will happen, because Friedel is done with the national team and Brad Guzan would be up to the task.

On the outside looking in: Troy Perkins

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson

Nothing has changed in the defensive department. Jay DeMerit looked strong against the Dutch, making it even more likely to see a back line with Carlos Bocanegra on the left, and DeMerit partnering with Oguchi Onyewu in the center.

A couple of strong performances by FC Dallas back Heath Pearce have tossed his name back into contention, and it could come down to him or the often maligned Jonathan Bornstein. Depending on how Bob Bradley approaches his starting lineup will dictate how much of a role either would play, because there's the potential that both Pearce and Bornstein would be along as reserves.

On the outside looking in: Heath Pearce, Jimmy Conrad, Chad Marshall, Michael Orozco, Edgar Castillo

Midfielders: Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Ricardo Clark, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu, Alejandro Bedoya

A new round of injuries have struck, and in early March Stuart Holden was the latest to go down with a broken leg. As a result, Holden's World Cup is now in jeopardy, but for now he'll remain in place. The American Rangers duo of Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley are looking like safe picks, with the two playing on a more regular basis as well as acquitting themselves nicely against the Netherlands.

The question of Jermaine Jones was raised once again, but the health of the Schalke enforcer is still a huge question mark. He was spotted at U.S. training prior to the Dutch friendly, though it's all for naught unless he gets back to training in time.

On the outside looking in: Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers, Kyle Beckerman, Jermaine Jones, Freddy Adu

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching, Charlie Davies

It's coming down to the wire for Charlie Davies and his miraculous recovery. If he makes it back onto the pitch for Sochaux in April as he claims, the next question will be whether or not he can recapture the form seen prior to his horrific car accident.

It would make more sense to risk Davies with a roster spot than bring someone like Robbie Findley who has proven that he isn't ready. Former FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper has more or less dropped off the map since his exodus to Europe, and his absence from the Netherlands friendly was a telling sign.

Only bringing three forwards would certainly bring a risk element in case of injury, but the best first XI for the USA would almost likely include Clint Dempsey or Landon Donovan up front with Altidore -- depending on Davies, of course.

On the outside looking in: Kenny Cooper, Jeff Cunningham, Eddie Johnson, Herculez Gomez, Robbie Findley

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U.S. 23-man roster for South Africa: March Edition

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