US vs Honduras Preview

The elder statesman of the January Camp circa 2010 is Benny Feilhaber.  Feilhaber, who burst on to the US scene in 2007 with two goals, including the infamous game winner in the 2007 Gold Cup Championship game vs Mexico, will be the undoubted leader on the pitch against Honduras tomorrow.  On a roster light on experience and heavy on youth but full of familiar faces, this could be the pedestal that players like Jeff Cunningham, Jimmy Conrad and other World Cup hopefuls need.  They all have had 30 days to impress Bob Bradley and the rest of the US staff and tomorrow they get to take on a fellow World Cup caliber squad.

What will the US need to do to win?  Sad to admit, I'm not entirely sure, because I'm pretty unfamiliar with some of the players on this roster, not to mention I can't find Honduras' roster for the match.  But lets assume that they bring their big shots.  With six subs allowed in friendlies, at least the US has some options should they fall behind.   The common denominator for this match should be the play of the forwards.  With Charlie Davies out until further notice, Clint Dempsey sidelined for a couple months, Kenny Cooper nursing a knee injury, and Jozy Altidore continuing to not find goals in the Premier League, at least two forward spots are probably up for grabs at this point. 

The strong point of this squad is in midfielder and central defense.  With "veterans" like Feilhaber, Kyle Beckerman, and Sacha Kljestan in midfield and Jimmy Conrad, Chad Marshall, and Clarence Goodson in central defense look for these guys to have the most impressive games. 

How about a gameday 18 and starting 11.

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

Wynne---------Marshall----Conrad---------Bornstein

-------------Beckerman-----Feilhaber

Kljestan--------------------------------------Rogers

--------------Casey---------Cunningham

Thornton
Alston
Goodson
Cameron
Bedoya
Pontius
Findley

Disclaimers:

*Alston has had a knock throughout camp, but he did have the more impressive 2009 season compared to Wynne.  I give the start to Wynne, but I'd really like to see Alston have a go and if he starts I won't be disappointed.

*I've always been a Heath Pearce fan, but he seems to have fallen out of favor with Bradley Sr. of late.  Jonny B, King of Honduras gets the nod.

*Bedoya and Cameron could get significant minutes.  I'm hearing that both had impressive camps but knowing Bob Bradley like I do, he'll go with the "vets" to start things off.

*Robbie Findley could get the nod over camp elder Cunningham.  Since both rely on speed to beat opponents, it doesn't really matter to me who starts, but anyone who thinks that they'll start together is crazy.  We all know Bob loves his big man up top and Casey is the only one who fits the bill.