January Camp Preview

Cupcake Camp circa 2010 is coming.  For all intents and purposes this camp exists for one reason: it serves as a pedestal for MLS's best and other fringe players to showcase themselves to Bob Bradley and his staff just why they should be considered worthy of a ticket to South Africa this summer.  A deep look into MLS and the Scandinavian countries (all other leagues are in season and clubs are not required to release players) reveals some decent and perhaps underrated talent.  I've compiled a list of 30 players who could/would/should make it to the Home Depot Center come January:


GK (4): Troy Perkins, Chris Seitz, Zach Thornton, Nick Rimando
DF (10): Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, Michael Parkhurst, Heath Pearce, Kevin Alston, Marvell Wynne, Jonathan Bornstein, Darrius Barnes
MF (10): Jeremiah White, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers, Alejandro Bedoya, Mikkel Diskerud, Kyle Beckerman, Dax McCarty, Chris Pontius, Brad Davis, John Thorrington
FW: Robbie Findley, Chris Rolfe, Marcus Tracy, Jeff Cunningham, Conor Casey, Brian Ching

First of all, let me explain my exclusions, notably Holden, Clark, and Donovan first.  These three are likely working out their European destinations, therefore they are out.  The Mexican contingent of Jose Torres, Edgar Castillo, and Michael Orozco will be in training camps with their teams and likely won't be available.  The under-the-radar(if you want to call it that) Euro boys such as Frank Simek, Mike Grella, Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Dominic Cervi, and Marcus Hahnemann are all in season with their clubs and therefore will be unavailable.

A potential starting 11 from this group...how about this:

--------------------Perkins

Wynne-----Goodson-----Marshall-----Pearce

----------Beckerman-----Kljestan

White---------------------------------Rogers

------------Findley-----Cunningham

Yes, not to flashy, but considering you're allowed 6 subs for friendlies, maybe, just for once, we could see Bob Bradley try some exotic formations and young guys ala Tracy, Bedoya, Alston, Cameron, Gonzalez, and Pontius.