World Cup 2010: If I Were Bob Bradley, Here's My Starting Lineup for the U.S.A.

One doesn’t have to look very far to find some sort of criticism regarding Bob Bradley and the U.S. Men’s National Team. It’s always easy to sit back and point the finger when you’re not in a particular situation that probably includes several factors of which you are not aware of. I’m not here to bash Bob, but merely state what I would do if I were him.

This is neither here nor there, but it really is too bad that Brad Freidel retired from international football because that man has been a rock for Villa this season with 15 clean sheets. If he was still active, he’d be my number one, but Howard is nonetheless a solid keeper who has demonstrated his ability to marshal a defense during his tenure at Everton. That said, Marcus Hahnemann’s recent run of form for the Wolves has definitely earned him a second spot in my book, bumping Guzan, who has struggled for playing time behind Freidel.

I like the back line that defeated Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup: Spector, DeMerit, Onyewu, and Bocanegra. I’m fairly certain that Onyewu will be back in time to compete in South Africa, although it’s his match fitness that concerns me.

It was his performance in the Confederations Cup that landed him at AC Milan last fall. He was just starting to find his way into the first team when he ruptured his patella tendon during the World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

Regardless of your opinion of their current squad, the fact remains that Milan are consistently one of the top clubs in Europe, which means there is competition for positions.

For this reason, Gooch has little chance of seeing the pitch with only three matches remaining in Serie A. A short term loan to MLS, whose season has just gone underway, would save Milan some money on wages in addition to giving him some games with which to regain match fitness. 

I’m not sure to what degree the managers of national sides become involved in their players’ careers, but it seems to me a good one would take more than just a passing interest. After all, was it not Fabio Capello who inspired Beckham to play for two straight years without an off season? Beckham was bouncing back and forth from MLS to Serie A in order to keep his spot with England.

In any case, Gooch will partner with Jay DeMerit in central defense out of sheer necessity.  The only other option USA really has at centre back is Bocanegra. However, as the 2009 Confederations Cup demonstrated, the American defense is much stronger with him at left back. 

I was never totally sold on Bocanegra at centre anyhow. Yet somehow, I felt he still belonged on the team or he wouldn’t have been made captain, not to mention wearing the armband for Fulham. Besides, he’s a goal scoring defender, so putting him on the outside frees him up to support the attack on the flanks like the full backs in a 4-4-2 formation are meant to do. 

While Spector (along with the rest of the West Ham defense) has looked shaky this season, he’s still the best right back the U.S. has to offer. He crosses the ball better than anyone on the team save for Landon Donovan and often seems to be one of the few members of the U.S. MNT who truly understands the beautiful game.

I would start Maurice Edu and Michael Bradley in central midfield, which means Bradley’s continued presence on the pitch is not entirely motivated by nepotism. He makes his share of mistakes but I admire his energy. He rarely loafs, preferring to be a part of the action whenever possible.

Bradley does a good job of tracking back for defensive duties and is never afraid to go for the ball, although his challenges are a bit reckless at times. If he can adjust this aspect of his physical game, however, the team will immediately benefit in terms of fewer bookings. He must also learn to communicate with Edu so that one of them remains in a holding position when the other one goes forward to attack. 

I have witnessed several occasions when USA has given up goals because neither central or midfielder was in a holding position in front of the back line to break up the counter.

In my opinion, Benny Feilhaber is the most underutilized player on the U.S. squad. Perhaps that’s just because every time I see him, I can’t help but think of his spectacular game winning volley from the top of the 18 yard box against Mexico in the 2007 Gold Cup Final. Like Michael Bradley, he has made his fair share of mistakes and his is still young and making mistakes is the only way to learn. Also like Bradley, Feilhaber is “full of piss and vinegar” as my dad would have said, always fighting for the ball. His another player whose career I would take an active interest by finding him a club where he sees more time on the pitch. At any rate, Feilhaber and Donovan are my picks for the wings.

That leaves Clint Dempsey up top with Jozy Altidore, a 20-year-old with loads of potential. He has gained invaluable top-flight experience this season with soon-to-be relegated Hull City. 

Granted Fulham lists Dempsey as midfielder, but it is not uncommon for him to play forward for the club either. Based on his reluctance to track back for defensive duties, it is often obvious that he has more fun up top anyhow. Two of his three goals in the Confederations Cup came about following a strategic substitution that shifted him forward and he is hands down the best finisher the U.S. has. We need him up top in a position to score goals (for a team that often has trouble finding the back of the net).

Where does this leave Charlie Davies? As Jozy’s sub, assuming of course he recovers in time to make the trip to South Africa. It seems unlikely he will be fit despite his miraculous rehabilitation following the car crash that nearly killed him only six months ago.

I would have Davies behind Altidore even before the accident. He’s a great player and an asset to the U.S. MNT, but I think he’s much more valuable coming off of the bench since his speed has the potential to change the game when the opposing defense is already tired. You can also substitute him for Bradley or Edu, shifting Dempsey into the playmaker position right behind the two strikers in a diamond shaped midfield.

So, once again, here is my starting XI:

Howard (GK) Spector / Onyewu / DeMerit / Bocanegra (Defenders) Feilhaber / Bradley / Edu / Donovan (Midfielders) Dempsey / Altidore (Forwards)

Only time will tell who Bradley picks to start this summer in South Africa.