The Core: Who was at their best at the 2009 Confederation Cup and seems assured of a starting role come 2010?

Well, LD earned his #10 jersey by validating his skill against some of the world’s most feared defenders. Tim Howard’s box scores didn’t look appealing, but those who saw the games knew for every one he allowed, he stopped four rockets off the feet/heads of some of the globe’s greatest playmakers.

The indefatiguable Michael Bradley played very well, always coming with ferocity (hence the unfortunate red). Clint Dempsey? Sure. MC Deuce did win the Bronze Ball, after all. But, I think it was Jozy who really has the bronze balls. Talking trash to Puyol, scoring against Spain (where he is underutilized by his club), and now immediately demanding a trade?

Now that sounds like American sports.   

The Bubble: Which guys are just hanging on to starting jobs, and who is challenging for a place on the pitch? In the back, it’s just about everybody. To clarify, I think you could include Bocanegra (if fit and healthy, of course) into the Core category since he is our stoic Captain, but I believe he too could be vulnerable. He, Onyewu, and Dolo (pre-injury) looked assured of 2010 spots, and they will probably all still get them, but rising stars like Bornstein and Spector (and what ever happened to Simek?) could steal their spot in the starting XI permanently.

In the middle, Beasley, Clark and Kljestan didn’t impress, but Benny Feilhaber’s hopes for a World Cup call up rose from the dead. He wasn’t decent. He was freaking great. I haven’t seem him play like that for a long time, but then again he has played so little in the last few years I haven’t seem him play, period. I think he and F Charlie Davies’ stocks may have rose more than anyone’s. BF paired nicely with Bradley (better than Special K or Clark), as did Davies with Donovan and Altidore. Both were also vigilant on defense and displayed dangerous attacking skills.

Outer Space: Who’s outside looking in? Well, way too many people for me to list here. But, some still have a shot (albeit a long one) to challenge for a spot in the starting XI in 2010 if they perform well in the Gold Cup and the remaining qualifiers? Who are these gents who need to go all-in and prove themselves to Bradley ASAP. Well, without further ado… Freddy Adu, of course. I love his creative dribbling and nose for the net, but Skeletor hates his defensive skills (or lack therof). He’ll have a chance to prove himself, as will a slew of MLS forwards, especially Brian Ching.

In the middle, I think Pablo’s call ups are evaporating and Mo Edu’s injury has allowed others to shine on big stages. Guzan looked great against Egypt, but I doubt he can depose Howard, who along with LD are our greatest assets. In the back, it’s a free for all with DeMerit, Spector, even some MLS guys like Marshall, Wynne, and fan-favorite Jimmy Conrad.

Defense isn’t the only area of the pitch where auditions are open for starting spots though, as any player could still seize relevancy and Bradley’s favor with some consistently amazing play. So when these 2010 hopefuls are auditioning and they have Bob Bradley on the couch watching their every move, they need to impress him with their desire.

That last sentence just doesn’t sound right for some reason.

The Core: Who was at their best at the 2009 Confederation Cup and seems assured of a starting role come 2010?

Well, LD earned his #10 jersey by validating his skill against some of the world’s most feared defenders. Tim Howard’s box scores didn’t look appealing, but those who saw the games knew for every one he allowed, he stopped four rockets off the feet/heads of some of the globe’s greatest playmakers.

The indefatiguable Michael Bradley played very well, always coming with ferocity (hence the unfortunate red). Clint Dempsey? Sure. MC Deuce did win the Bronze Ball, after all. But, I think it was Jozy who really has the bronze balls. Talking trash to Puyol, scoring against Spain (where he is underutilized by his club), and now immediately demanding a trade?

Now that sounds like American sports.   

The Bubble: Which guys are just hanging on to starting jobs, and who is challenging for a place on the pitch? In the back, it’s just about everybody. To clarify, I think you could include Bocanegra (if fit and healthy, of course) into the Core category since he is our stoic Captain, but I believe he too could be vulnerable. He, Onyewu, and Dolo (pre-injury) looked assured of 2010 spots, and they will probably all still get them, but rising stars like Bornstein and Spector (and what ever happened to Simek?) could steal their spot in the starting XI permanently.

In the middle, Beasley, Clark and Kljestan didn’t impress, but Benny Feilhaber’s hopes for a World Cup call up rose from the dead. He wasn’t decent. He was freaking great. I haven’t seem him play like that for a long time, but then again he has played so little in the last few years I haven’t seem him play, period. I think he and F Charlie Davies’ stocks may have rose more than anyone’s. BF paired nicely with Bradley (better than Special K or Clark), as did Davies with Donovan and Altidore. Both were also vigilant on defense and displayed dangerous attacking skills.

Outer Space: Who’s outside looking in? Well, way too many people for me to list here. But, some still have a shot (albeit a long one) to challenge for a spot in the starting XI in 2010 if they perform well in the Gold Cup and the remaining qualifiers? Who are these gents who need to go all-in and prove themselves to Bradley ASAP. Well, without further ado… Freddy Adu, of course. I love his creative dribbling and nose for the net, but Skeletor hates his defensive skills (or lack therof). He’ll have a chance to prove himself, as will a slew of MLS forwards, especially Brian Ching.

In the middle, I think Pablo’s call ups are evaporating and Mo Edu’s injury has allowed others to shine on big stages. Guzan looked great against Egypt, but I doubt he can depose Howard, who along with LD are our greatest assets. In the back, it’s a free for all with DeMerit, Spector, even some MLS guys like Marshall, Wynne, and fan-favorite Jimmy Conrad.

Defense isn’t the only area of the pitch where auditions are open for starting spots though, as any player could still seize relevancy and Bradley’s favor with some consistently amazing play. So when these 2010 hopefuls are auditioning and they have Bob Bradley on the couch watching their every move, they need to impress him with their desire.

That last sentence just doesn’t sound right for some reason.

What a long, strange trip the US MNT just had to South Africa. The Yanks advanced via a 6 goal swing in the last 90 minutes of the group stage. Then, they shocked the world by knocking out #1 Spain. Finally, they came out swinging against history’s most decorated team, but fell apart during a messy second half that most fans would like to forget.

I don’t have to forget it because I never saw the second half of the Final. I got on a plane when it was 2-0, and spent the flight sequestered from any updates. I was happy though. It was half-time and we were winning a freaking FIFA International tourney. Of course, I was happy. As soon as we touched down, I frantically turned on my “portable electronic device” to check the final score.

I never saw the three (admittedly four) goals by Brazil. I was over a mile in the sky in an airplane full of contentment and unspoiled hope. So, I may be biased. You see, when I left the airport Chili’s @ halftime that day and got on my flight, I didn’t really care if we won. Win or lose, the team had earned some respect - and more importantly - attention from the US media and casual sports fans. I felt like – for a little while – we could actually discuss soccer here in America…

And – amazingly - we could finally do it without being called a communist. It was a good day for me. Not so much for my phone though, who fell victim to that old and wise quote: “They always kill the messenger.” I was angry about the result, but perhaps it is better for the US to lose. Think about it. We need guys who are “hungry”. Beating Spain and Brazil may have made us overconfident. Beating Spain and almost beating Brazil could pay dividends come 2010.

And I was pleased with the US performance over the tourney. Rough in spots, sure, but also capable of some disarming brilliance. What I liked best is that they never backed down. Even when they were soundly outplayed, they never looked like they weren’t giving 100%. Show me another sport in the US where you can say that about the players. Well, except Conor Casey. For someone who played so little, he sure lollygagged around the pitch a ton.  

As for the rest of the players, some guys’ 2010 hopes rose greatly because the top competition around the globe brought out their best. But, others embarassed themselves and are now hoping Bradley gives them a look again before he selects his final 2010 roster. Tomorrow, I will rate the US MNT players based on their play over the span of the Confederations Cup and the likelihood their dreams of a 2010 starting role will be fulfilled. So come on back and be sure not to miss it.

Unless you have a plane to catch, of course.