Thoughts on final 23

Coach Bob Bradley never ceases to amaze US soccer fans, and he did pull a couple surprises out today when the 23 man roster was announced. The biggest selection, or most surprising is striker Robbie Findley. Findley, who didn't even suit up last night v. the Czech Republic must have been tearing up training for him to get a spot. I understand that Bradley wants speed up top to make up for the Charlie Davies absence and while Findley does provide plenty of pace, it's rather strange that he didn't play at all last night. This could be a ploy to keep Findley 'a secret' or have some element of surprise for other teams but it doesn't make much sense. Let's hope he plays v. Turkey. The poor play of Heath Pearce evidently kept him off the squad as Bradley chose to bring on board 7 defenders (Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay Demerit, Jonathan Bornstein, Clarence Goodson, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector). A surprise ommission at the striking core is Brian Ching. Ching has an extensive history with the national team and did play surprising well last night showing deft skill and touch, but Bradley decided to go with form (Edson Buddle, Herculez Gomez) and speed (Findley) over experience. The nagging hamstring injury also could have played a role with the Ching exclusion. Buddle and Gomez played relatively well last night, with Gomez heading in his first goal with the national team. I think Buddle will end up starting v. England alongside Altidore which would allow Gomez to be the goal poaching threat off the bench and I believe that's the role Bradley intends him to play. Buddle showed great hustle last night and held up the ball well while showing surprising athleticism. Eddie Johnson played his usual game, flowing in and out without making much of an impact.

To no ones surprise, Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers were cut. Kljestan failed to impress last night although at times Rogers looked to be very dangerous, challenging Czech keeper Petr Cech on a long range shot. The Alejandro Bedoya cinderella story came to an end. It wasn't at the cost of his playing ability but rather due to the impressive play that DaMarcus Beasley has had in camp.

The name of the game for Bradley's roster is versatility. He chose to go away from bringing on players of traditional positions and rather chose players that can play multiple ones (Stuart Holden, Clint Dempsey, Beasley, Maurice Edu, Spector, Bocanegra). It poses interesting questions though. If Onyewu isn't able to go, will Goodson get the first look? It could possibly mean shifting Bocanegra over to the middle, forcing either Bornstein or Cherundolo to start. Interestingly enough, Beasley worked not only in the midfield during training but also at left back. Edu played centermid for the first 2/3rds of yesterdays game and then proceeded to move to centerback when Onyewu was subbed out. Is this foreshadowing what will happen in South Africa?

By bringing 4 forwards, it lends me to think that Dempsey will play his more preferred role in the midfield as opposed to up top. This will strengthen the midfield, arguably the most talented part of the team. Bradley could choose to operate a 4-5-1 formation with Altidore operating as the lone striker, but there is time to tinker before South Africa. As for now, it's on to the friendly match v. Turkey on Saturday, where we shall see if Bradley chooses to use his starters. Then after the game, the boys take to the air for South Africa on Sunday.

FINAL ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard, Brad Guzan

Defense: Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Jay Demerit, Clarence Goodson, Steve Cherundolo

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

Forwards: Edson Buddle, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Robbie Findley

JOGA BONITO