Right?
Maybe?
Benny Feilhaber came off the bench and did well in the Confederations and Gold Cups as a creative spark. Feilhaber's excellent passing adds some composure to a US team that seems to over-rely on long passes coming out of the back. So Feilhaber's in. Jermaine Jones recently announced he'll be trading in his German kit for the US digs, and he's the sort of defensive midfielder that can make the US's back four look world class. Jones is a tough tackler, the type of player who sets the tone in the midfield, the type of player that can will lock up other team's best forwards and attacking mids and take a lot of pressure off of his defense. So Jones is in. There are a few more options in the middle including Jose Torres, Freddy Adu, DaMarcus Beasley, and Sacha Kljestan. Torres is a starter for Pachuca in Mexico, add some more experience to his international game and I believe he's in. Adu is still looking for playing time with Benfica, or anywhere for that matter. His two games in the group stage of the Gold Cup were marred with inconsistent play. This upcoming European season could be a make-it-or-break type of year for his 2010 chances. Adu's a 50-50. Beasley is in the same boat as Adu. His stint at Rangers looks to be heading towards its end and if he wants to figure in Bob Bradley's 2010 plans he needs to play regularly and stay healthy. Another 50-50 shot. Kljestan is one of Bradley's favorites, but he needs to perform more mistake-free football. That aside, Kljestan is in.
Let's recap: Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey, Clark, Jones, Feilhaber, Torres and Kljestan. That's seven midfielders. Bruce Arena carried eight on his 23-man roster at the 2006 World Cup. Beasley has a boatload of international experience but needs to regain his confidence. Adu is talented young player but needs to find a home where he plays regularly and rounds out the rough edges to his game.
So what does that mean to the midfielders that performed so well at the Gold Cup? That means Bob Bradley was exploring his depth options. In case of injury, catastrophe, suspension (his son has something of a temper), whatever else, it's good to have options.
Kyle Beckerman had an outstanding tournament. He was tough defensively, kickstarted the attack with his precise through-balls, and for the length of the tournament was box-to-box doing the little things to help the US succeed. To a lesser extent, Logan Pause played a similar role. His play was a scattered at times, but otherwise, with Beckerman created the catalyst for the US attack by winning 50-50 balls and distributing effectively.
The revelations in the US midfield were along the sidelines. Stuart Holden was cap-tied to the US during the Gold Cup and he made the most of it. One-v-one, passing, set pieces, in the air, long-range shooting, defense, Holden was all over it during the Gold Cup. His counterpart Robbie Rogers gives the US a natural left-footed player whose pace and skill lend him plenty of opportunities to serve from the flank. Rogers took advantage and besides some immature mistakes, made it clear that he will be getting more looks on the left side in the future.
Santion Quaranta, Brad Evans, Colin Clark, and Sam Cronin all got a look at some point during the Gold Cup, but I can't imagine any of them climbing up the chart too soon.
Let's imagine Bob Bradley is thinking eight in the middle in 2010. Barring whatever circumstances we've got seven. I'd like to see Holden off the bench a few more times during qualifying before I give him the advantage. The spot is there, who's man enough to take it?
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