Gold Cup Preview And Other Thoughts

Good afternoon to you all, hope this July 3rd finds you in anticipation of getting super drunk and watching things blow up into bright, colored pieces tomorrow.  Well I am in any case.  I'm also looking forward to watching the USA defend its Gold Cup crown.  Not that I have too much doubt we will at least get into the final, but all the same.  The real reason me and I suspect everyone else will be watching, is to see the depth of our talent pool.  The prize at the end of this tournament might not be the Gold Cup trophy itself, but an equally precious resource: a raw, talented player to be uncovered.  

The Gold Cup will serve as a developmental knockout round for those American players on the outside looking in so to speak.  The US' roster was increased from 23 players to 30, so lets see who Bob is going to be taking a look at.  

Goalkeepers:  Brad Guzan, Luis Robles, Jon Busch, and Troy Perkins

Defenders: Chad Marshall, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Bornestein, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Jimmy Conrad, and Heath Pearce

Midfielders: Davy Arnaud, Sasch Kljestan, Kyle Beckerman, Colin Clark, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Sam Cronin, Brad Evans, Stuart Holden, Logan Pause, and Robbie Rogers

Forwards: Freddy Adu, Kenny Cooper, Connor Casey, Brian Ching, Charlie Davies, and Santino Quaranta

Starting with the keepers, we are most likely to see the Brad Guzan and Luis Robles see some time minding the nets.  Both Busch and Perkins are there to give them a platform to build on it seems, but Busch's best bet is to make the trip across the pond this summer as he's the only one out of the quartet that doesn't ply his trade in Europe.  

The to the defensive front, we welcome back Cherundolo from a hip injury.  Up until 3 weeks ago, he was the automatic choice at right back for the USA.  With the advent of Jonathan Spector as a force at the right back, Cherundolo is going to need to play mistake free at the back this tournament to even give himself a chance to win back the right back position.  In the middle, Chad Marshall and Clarence Goodson should lock down the central defensive positions in my opinion. Jimmy Conrad is too old for the World Cup and my fear with Michael Parkhurst, whom I like, is that he won't be able to match up physically with top strikers.  With DeMerit and Onyewu looks like the automatic starters, these Goodson and Marshall should be batting for the third in the CB pecking order now that Bocanegra looks to be moved permanently to the left.  This might be the curtain call on Heath Pearce's time with the national team if he doesn't go out and buy some form.  With relatively easy games in the group, he can't afford any slip ups.  

In midfield, everything is up for grabs as many newbies have been called into the squad and will be looking to impress.  In the center, Ricardo and Michael Bradley have already laid a great claim to the starting spots.  But there is definately room for cover as Sacha has proved to be not good enough for big time games.  I'm not sure why Bradley, Sr. didn't drop him in favor of the versatile and technically gifted Jose Torres.  For some reason, Bob has decided to lay the defeat at Costa Rica squarely and unfairly at the feet of this young man.  Its ridiculous and in my opinion, Torres was the best midfield player for the USA in the first half that game before being subbed.  Whatever.  Benny Feilhaber will most likely get a nod in the middle of the pitch, but also look for Stuart Holden to impress.  He's been enjoying one hell of a season at the Dynamo and had a very good showing at Beijing last summer.  I think he will benefit the most from this tournament in terms of international experience as I will go on record as predicting him to be on the 23 man squad for SA 2010.  He's fast, creative, good with the ball at his feet, and intelligent.  He also scores goals.  I'm hoping he leaves for England of Holland after this summer as I see him becoming a Clint Dempsey-sque player.  Two other players that I would watch is Colin Clark and Robbie Rogers.  Clark is a good box to box midfielder, and an impressive tournament here could see increased looks at the national team.  Then again, with Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Feilhaber, and most likely Jermaine Jones ahead of him, its going to take one heck of a showing.  Robbie is another from the U20 World Cup team and the recent Olympic team.  He, like Holden, is capable of opening up defences with his speed and isn't afraid to pull the trigger.  And believe me, the kid's got a cannon.  

Finally the forwards.  With Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore forming a rocksolid partnership gushing with speed, power, and ability it looks like an uphill task for the current crop of forwards.  To start off, the fact that Connor Casey is on the roster alone should get Bradley fired.  If you keep making the same mistake over and over again, you by definition insane.  Why Casey? Seriously why?  Anyway, the man everyone will be watching is without a doubt the man who has the most talent on the squad: Freddy Adu.  The fact that he didn't get any time on the field in the Confederations Cup boggled the mind, he looks set to spearhead the offense this time around.  The man to partner him up top will most likely be Brian Ching.  Even though I hate him, Freddy needs a big man to support him and Bradley seems to favor Ching over Cooper.  I don't think Charlie Davies will see too much in the this tournament actually and would rather have seen Eddie Johnson on the squad.  Now before you starting yelling at me, yes I know he has been given his fair amount of chances.  The problem with those chances were that he wasn't playing well for his club at the time either.  Now at Cardiff City, he has sparkled almost leading the team to promotion into the Premier League.  I think now is the time to bring him back into camp and see what he's got for one last time. Switching gears, I would love to see Kenny Cooper and Charlie Davies paired togethe, even for a short time.  Kenny is another player in the ilk of Jozy Altidore.  While being big and physical, both are not target men.  They work well in 4-4-2 set ups and a speedy man like Charlie should work perfectly, at least in my world.  

Before I leave, some news on Jermaine Jones and Eddie Castillo. On Jermaine Jones, President Gulati had this to say:

"I think that paperwork for that has probably now been submitted to FIFA. And the earliest he would be eligible to move would be the 2nd of August"

Excellent news.  We need a combative midfielder to add to our squad depth. Plus as Bob Bradley pointed out, he brings a wealth of experience playing at the highest level in Germany and in the Champions League at points in his career.  Also at 27, he'll bring leadership and maturity (hopefully).  Jones is known in Germany to be a controversial figure, but his ability is beyond question.

Then there is the matter of Eddie Castillo.  While I've said in the past that he would have been exactly what the US needed at the left back, the New Mexico native chose Mexico over the States.  However with the new FIFA rule change he could find himself donning the Stars and Stripes.  The 22 year old is an up-and-coming worldclass left back, with a good nose at getting forward.  It is still early in this story however, as Eddie has only now expressed interest in the United States after being neglected by Mexico much to the chagrin of their fans.  Strange how beating Egypt and Spain on the way to a FIFA cup final can sway alliances.  At least in Jones' case, he notified FIFA before the Confederations Cup.  Both these players might be mercenaries, but their talent speaks for itself and their stories will continue well into the summer I assume.  More on this and other news later.

UPDATE: Jermaine Jones video link

Hey guys I came across a Jermaine Jones compilation at Soccer Tactician's site.  Its the second video.

http://soccertactician.blogspot.com/2009/06/exclusive-jermaine-jones-video.html