Friday, May 21, 2010

Starters Against Czech Republic

In four days the United States will take on the Czech Republic in East Hartford, Connecticut.  As the United States continues to prepare for its upcoming friendlies, NP will take a look at some potential line-ups for the Czech match.  Bob Bradley has stated that he would like to cut down to his 23 man roster following the match, so I expect a majority of the fringe players to get some playing time.  Also, the guys who have been out injured for awhile, I expect to get some game time under their belts. I'll offer a couple different potential line-ups along with the substitutes.

--------------------Howard

Spector-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra-----Pearce

--------------Bradley----Clark

Holden--------------------------------Donovan

-------------Johnson-----Gomez

Subs:
Bornstein for Pearce
Feilhaber/Torres/Edu for Clark
Bedoya/Beasley/Rogers/Kljestan for Donovan
Buddle/Findley for Johnson/Gomez

I expect Onyewu, Holden, Bocanegra, and Spector to go the full match, in part because the first three haven't had a full game in quite some time and they need as much game time as possible, and Spector and his backup/replacement Steve Cherundolo are known quantities.  Though Spector gets my nod since he struggled his last couple games at West Ham.  Clark only has played two games for Eintracht Frankfurt after an injury cut short most of his season so I expect Bradley to get him in there and sub him out at halftime or there after for Feilhaber or Torres.  The plethora of wide options means that Holden may not get a full match, but with the four I listed all fringe players, they definitely deserve their shot, Bedoya and Beasley I expect are going to be the ins and Rogers and Kljestan the outs.  Also other than Altidore all five forwards are essentially on the hot seat.  Ching has been injured, Gomez and Buddle are the hot hands, but have three caps between the two of them Findley doesn't even start for Real Salt Lake at this point and Eddie Johnson is the savvy vet of the forward pool with 40 caps.

One could argue for Brad Guzan to get a match since he hasn't played at all in the second half of the season that I can recall, so I could understand him getting the start.  Howard has also been nursing a minor leg injury and so Guzan or Hahnemann could get the nod there.  Dempsey, Altidore, and the other guys left off are known quantities and will get their chances against Turkey and Australia. 

I'm going on vacation to Edisto Island, South Carolina, so when you hear from me next I'll be enjoying Mai Tai's on the beach.  I'll be back for a Czech Republic match preview on Monday.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Slovenia Finalizes 30 Man Roster

The US' third opponent in South Africa has finally produced its full roster.  Here it is:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam), Jan Koprivec (Maribor)

DEFENDERS (10): Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor)
 

MIDFIELDERS (10): Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Rene Krhin (Internazionale), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre)
 

FORWARDS (6): Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional), Miran Burgic (AIK), Tim Matavz (Groningen)