Analysis: Midfield

The depth in the midfield during the 2010 cycle is arguably the best the United States has ever had. The players represent some of the biggest leagues in the world (English Premier League, German Bundesliga) and actually play vital roles on their respective squads. Bob Bradley definitely has some interesting decisions to make.

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

Cut: Alejandro Bedoya (much to my chagrin), Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan

Projected Starting 4: Donovan, Edu, Bradley, Holden

The two leaders of the midfield, Donovan and Bradley, will play integral roles on the team. Both of them are absolute locks to start June 12th v England. The other two positions are somewhat up for debate however. I could easily see Clark starting in place of Edu due to his experience on the national team but I give Maurice the slight edge due to his recent form at Rangers. Holden gets the nod at outside mid in place of Dempsey. This isn't due to a lack of form from Clint, but just based on need. He'll likely be paired up top opposite Jozy Altidore. Holden came back from a gruesome tackle via Dutch defender Nigel de Jong in February and played his only match since March in the Bolton finale. When healthy he brings pace and good crossing ability. Feilhaber is an essential lock to make the team as a sub who brings creativity, and Torres might be the most technically gifted midfielder on the team as he has a way of manipulating the ball and putting it where he wants it to go. Torres also has the propensity to launch shots from outside the 18, which has been lacking in the past from the midfield. While Rogers has played decently for his club side the Columbus Crew, the speedy winger doesn't have the overall technical ability nor the confidence to play at this level. Kljestan will be left out as one of the last cuts. He had such a promising future after scoring the brace against Sweden in 2008, but since his rumored move to Celtic failed, his game took a significant hit as he looked simply lackadaisical on the pitch in 2009. The Chivas USA man has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance this year but not enough to ensure him a place on the final 23.

In the case of Beasley and Bedoya, Bob Bradley has an interesting choice. Essentially Beasley and Bedoya will be fighting for the final roster spot.A big question is whether Bradley goes for youth or experience for the final spot, and this ultimately is where I feel experience will preside. Beasley has had a rocky late period with the national team in which he's made horrific mistakes in crucial games (Brazil in the Confederations Cup) and his sporadic featuring for his club side Rangers has hindered his overall game. He did however look like a real threat against the Dutch and he has loads of experience playing alongside Dempsey and Donovan, so that bodes well for DaMarcus. In addition, all reports indicate that Beasley has had a very good camp and has looked 'quick' and 'sharp', so it might be his job to lose at this point. Bedoya came on to the scene rather late as this completely unknown player applying his trade for Orebro in the Swedish Allsvenskan. He has since impressed for his club side and many consider him to be the best player on his team, as he's rumored to be moving to a bigger league imminently. The diminutive midfielder impressed many against the Dutch as he showed no hesitation and had imaginative play on the ball, often making sharp passes and darting runs. I would love to see Bedoya make the team as I feel he would add something to the midfield, but I can't see Bradley passing on Beasley. He's chalk full of experience and if his form in the camp is better, he will make the team as a pacy left footed player on the flank.

Questions: Will Clint Dempsey play up top alongside Jozy Altidore or in the midfield? Bedoya or Beasley?

The friendly tomorrow v. the Czech Republic will be a great test for many players, and it could quite possibly be a final tryout between Bedoya and Beasley for that final spot. The collection of players at Bradley's disposal allows for him great versatility. It will be interesting to see if Bradley keeps Dempsey up top or out on the right flank where he's more comfortable. He could also quite possibly have Dempsey and Holden on the wings with Donovan starting up top, although Landon is better as a distributor on the wing.

Next: Forwards



JOGA BONITO