Analysis: Forwards

The horrific car crash suffered by Charlie Davies robbed the United States of arguably their fastest player. His injury totally changed the complexion of the starting forward line. Davies was just staring to get into a groove at club side Sochaux as well as with the national team, providing the team an element missing in recent years. With that said, Bob Bradley will look to a group that isn't entirely proven on the world stage or for the national team.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching, Herculez, Gomez

Cut: Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, Eddie Johnson

Projected Starting Two: Altidore and Clint Dempsey


Altidore appears to be a lock to start in South Africa. His overall size and athletic ability has posed problems for many teams including Spain, when he effectively shouldered off Villarreal teammate Joan Capdevila and fired a shot that caught keeper Iker Casillas leaning the wrong way to put the United States ahead in their eventual monumental win. The year hasn't been a memorable one for Jozy as he tallied one goal during his loan time at Hull, which also saw him receive a three game suspension at the end of the year for a headbutt against an opposing player. He was also criticized by his manager about his lack of enthisiasm and desire during training time. Needless to say, this world cup is important for Jozy as he looks to possibly latch on to another side. At only 20 years old he has limitless potential, but he needs a good showing in South Africa. Dempsey looks to get the nod up top but the striking core behind the two starters is extremely shallow and Bradley has to be fretting about if the strikers can score enough in this tournament. Ching has been a constant on the national team for many years and has a good accord with Bradley. You definitely know what you're going to get with Ching, a player who isn't flashy or technical, but rather a player that is extremely hard working and very adept to helping out defensively. He is solid aerially and can hold the ball up effectively as well. I see him subbing onto the field for Altidore in late game situations when the United States has the lead. Holding possession and waiting for corresponding options to move futher up the pitch will earn him some late game minutes. I see Gomez stealing the last spot just due to the fact that he's came out of nowhere and became the season scoring leader in the Mexican league for Puebla. The former MLS veteran was on a torrid pace this season as he knotched 10 goals in 14 games. No other United States striker can boast that current form, and in this sport it is a 'what have you done lately' game, and Gomez has performed very well. He'll add a speed element off the bench, and an aspect of his game that cannot be discounted is the fact that many of his goals he scored for Puebla were when he came off the bench. It shows Bradley that he's more than capable of coming on as a substitute and effecting the game in a positive fashion. Buddle is also in great form with the Los Angeles Galaxy, as the partnership between himself and Landon Donovan has the Galaxy at the top of the table. His scoring pace has been very impressive for the Galaxy and his chemistry with Donovan cannot be slighted. Although these are positives, reports out of camp indicate that Buddle has been struggling mightily with the fitness portion of the camp, constantly finishing dead last in conditioning runs. His lack of international experience (one cap) also does not bode well either. Johnson has enjoyed mild success with his new side Aris in Greece, but a nagging hamstring injury has significantly hurt his chances to make the team. He's been limited in training while the other candidates have been showing their stuff, so to speak. The Czech game will be a big test for Johnson to see if he's fit enough to play in South Africa. His biggest asset is the ability to stretch the field which makes him dangerous, especially without Davies in the fold. The United States could definitely make use of it. Findley is a player in the mold of Davies: one who possesses above-average pace and below-average size. He isn't however, close to the player that Davies is. Against the Dutch, he looked incredibly tentative and had no confidence whatsoever on the ball. He just isn't ready for international football, especially on the grandest stage of all, the World Cup.

Questions: Will someone step up and fill the void missing by Davies? Will the strikers produce well enough to alleviate pressure off of the midfield? Which newcomers out of Findley, Gomez, and Buddle will make the team (if at all)?

The friendly v. the Czech Republic will be incredibly interesting to watch. For the candidates minus Altidore, this game is imperative in order to have a good showing I can see a scenario in which Gomez, Findley, and Buddle get extended runs out on the pitch, but I also feel like Bradley already has a good idea as to whom he will bring to South Africa.

JOGA BONITO