Ryan's Final World Cup Roster

So due to the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, the first thing we should do is discuss who U.S. head coach Bob Bradley should choose as our final 23 man roster.  Currently there are 30 guys in camp fighting for a spot, and with some injuries impacting our key players, this camp along with our two friendlies leading up to SA, will really give a chance for newcomers like Alejandro Bedoya, Herculez Gomez and Edson Buddle (all three have had an incredible run of recent form) to step into the picture and impress.  All three of these players have had under three caps for the National team and are looking to prove that they deserve a spot.  These aren't the only people fighting for a place with the team though, veteran players like DaMarcus Beasley, and guys on the fence like Sacha Kljestan and Heath Pearce are going to have to show that their young legs can provide speed and delivery for our players up top.

For me personally, I'm still trying to get past the fact that Charlie Davies won't be playing in the World Cup.  After such a horrific car accident leaving him with the chance of never being able to walk properly again (Davies suffered fractures to his face, elbow, femur, tibia, and fibula, as well as a lacerated bladder), he returned to training remarkably after only 7 months after the accident.  Now, to me, he could have gotten the invite to camp and tested his ability, but his French club didn't sign off.  Oddly enough though, defender Oguchi Onyewu was invited to camp having not played a game since his injury also in October.

Along with Gooch's injury, Jay Demerit, and captain Carlos Bocanegra also have issues affecting their play.  Regardless, I believe all three will be ready and fit to play come time for June 12th when we open our World Cup play against England (a blog that will come in the near future).  So now without further delay, here is my 23 man roster for the World Cup:

Keepers (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra, Jay Demerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Bornstein, Clarence Goodson

Midfielders (9): Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Alejandro Bedoya, Jose Torres, DaMarcus Beasley

Forwards (4):  Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching, Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson

Now this was hard for me to choose because I have some issues with some of these guys, but I'll work with what I have.  I tried to leave out as many MLS players as I could simply because I just don't like to see them playing on a level that players like Jozy, Tim, Carlos, Bradley, etc. play on.  Beasley was really tough for me to put on the team based on his poor performance in last summer's Confederations Cup and lack of play time with club team Rangers.  Reports say he's been competing and training harder than ever to make this team, and his experience can help a young midfield.  

As for the players I cut; our defense is our strongest position on the team and when healthy, they are a  strong, fast, and tough defense to get through.  The best scenario is to have, not necessarily in this order, Demerit, Bocanegra, Onyewu, and Spector in the back, with Cherundolo, Bornstein and Goodson as subs.  I don't see room for Heath Pearce to show he deserves a spot, and lets be real, Chad Marshall has no place on our final roster.  

Our midfield has some of the best abroad Americans in it: Michael Bradley, Dempsey, and Edu have had amazing seasons this past year with Edu winning another Scottish league title, Dempsey helping Fulham to the Europa League Final (as well as some spectacular goals throughout the season), and Bradley securing a place in the Bundesliga for the second straight year.  Benny Feilhaber, Robbie Rogers, and Sacha Kljestan are not going to make the cut.  Feilhaber hasn't done enough to impress for his team Aarhus (who have been relegated to the second division of Denmark's league. They've been in the top flight for 65 straight years).  Kljestan can be solid at times, but has had some recent poor forms for club as well as country, and I don't see Bob Bradley taking a risk on him.  Robbie Rogers, just no.  Not a chance.

Probably what might be most controversial out of my picks is the exclusion of Edson Buddle, but let's be real: he's had a great start to the season, but it isn't enough to deserve a call up.  Yes we are in need of a forward because of Davies accident, but I'd rather have a 50% Davies than a 100% Buddle.  He won't be able to cut it on a national stage, and he doesn't have that competitive level of play like his nat. teammates do.  He'd work well with Landon since they play club together, but he just won't perform to the expectations we want.  Robbie Findley was just embarrassing in his last national team game.  He has the speed, but he lacked confidence with the ball, and looked too nervous.  He has potential, and if he makes the team, he brings the speed and agility that Davies had, but he just can't handle the ball as well as we need.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE SELECTION, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE, WHO IS YOUR STARTERS? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW AND REMEMBER....

JOGA BONITO