Changes in USMNT Before The World Cup

Regardless of the outcome of today's game against Brazil, I have some ideas on how  Bob Bradley can improve the team (Of course, replacing him with a top coach, would be the place to start).

The US back line has as starting outside backs Spector and Bocanegra. The Central backs are DeMerit and Gooch.

My first idea is to move Jonathan Bornstein to forward, the position he played in College. Bornstein has the speed and ball skills to be an attacking player. While he didn't do a bad job as left back, the area the US needs the most help is up front.

Bocanegra plays outside back for his club team Rennes, so he is comfortable there.

If Boca and Spector are the outside starting backs, where would Cherundolo play? After all the USMNT isn't Brazil and Cherundolo has been a starter for in the Bundesliga for 7 or 8 years as an outside back . But having Spector and especially Boca on corners gives the US more chance of heading the ball in on corners.

On defense if a team sends high balls into the box Boca is an improvement over Cherundolo, although teams like Brazil that usually keep the ball on the ground negate our height in the back line. 

For once the US has the good problem of having more good defensive players than starting positions.

With addition of Jermaine Jones, and "rebirth" of Feilhaber, whom John Harkes, among other pundits, said must be on the field as much as possible, why not move Dempsey to forward. Dempsey is a proven scorer (co-leader for Fulham this past season). Fulham was the fifth place team in the best league in the world.

Charlie Davies is not polished enough although the potential is there.

If the Bornstein experiment I suggested works, the US could have Altidore and Dempsey with Davies, Bornstein and hopefully Cooper as backups.

Another rising player who could help the national team is Stewart Holden. He hopefully will start during the Gold Cup to see if he has what it takes on the international level.

Looking ahead the pool of players for the World Cup looks , as of now :

GK Howard, Guzan, 3rd is a toss up

Defense, Spector, DeMerit ,Gooch, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Bornstein

Midfield: Jermaine Jones, Clark, Bradley, Feilhaber, Donovan, Edu, Torres, Adu

Forwards, Altidore, Davies, Dempsey, Ching, McBride, Cooper