Bob Bradley's Next Moves with USA Squad

After a very credible draw against Argentina this week, one can't help but to put that as the standard that the national team needs to build on.

The US, for the most part, looked good in the back and competitive in the midfield against a nearly full strength Argentinean side.

Yes, the argument can be made that Julio Cruz should have converted at least one of his opportunities, but the fact that he didn't points to the success of the US in breeding strong keepers.

As impressive as this game was, however, I still see vast areas that could have improved and perhaps even given us a win against the number one team in the world.

The most important of these is that some of the starting line-ups need to be shifted about some. What struck me most during this game was the success that Maurice Edu, Freddy Adu and Sasha Kljestan had once they were introduced into the game.

While Tim Howard was obviously the USA's strongest performer against Argentina, Kljestan was the best American field player as he showed his quality and promise to take on the Argentinean defense on several occasions and create a couple of dangerous looking openings.

Edu looked solid on both sides of the ball and Adu is continuing to come out of his shell as he hit an ambitious 25 yard volley.

At the opposing end I was once again very disappointed with several of the American "stars," namely Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley and Steve Cherundolo.

I know Bradley had a strong season for Heerenveen but it is time for Bob to take the arguments with his family and drop Michael from his starting line-up as he has not been able to replicate his club form at the international level.

Eddie Johnson and Cherundolo both once again proved that they are both a waste of space. Where was new Villareal signing Josey Altidore when the Americans needed a forward?

Donovan disappeared into the grass just as he did at World Cup 2006, and even though he has done a lot for us over the years it is time to try someone else there. He seems to lack the passion of playing for his country that many of his teammates have, especially the strong youthful contingent chomping at Bradley's heels for a chance.

I would also vote for Jay DeMerit to be preferred over Danny Califf as he and Onyewu are built of a similar mould that could work wonders together.

With the beginning of the World Cup 2010 qualification process this weekend I think it is the perfect time for Bob Bradley to throw some new players into the mixer.

Barbados shouldn't provide too much of a challenge and while I am not calling to under-estimate them, it is an undeniably brilliant chance for this.

And if a strong performance comes from the changes, the boost in confidence that these players get could raise the US national team to unprecedented heights.