2010 FIFA World Cup: Can Jozy Altidore, US Forwards Get the Job Done?

Six months ago, if you would have asked me (or an actual soccer expert, for that matter) what forwards Bob Bradley would have taken to South Africa, I would have given you a list of players like—minus the obvious selection of Jozy Altidore—Brian Ching, Connor Casey, Eddie Johnson, and Charlie Davies (if healthy).

And I (and aforementioned experts) would have been absolutely wrong.

Each of those four predicated players will be watching the World Cup from home, while Edson Buddle, Herculez Gomez, and Robbie Findley could all see playing time for the Americans, especially if Jozy’s ankle fails to heal in time for the England game Saturday.

While the three strikers not surnamed Altidore have done well in pre-Cup friendlies, their ascensions to the National Team were all quite surprising, and their international pedigrees are just barely more impressive than mine.

Jozy will be a crucial player for the US, obviously—but more on that later.

If the US want to have any chance of advancing out of the group stages, these three (or at least one of them) will have to burst on to the international scene, and understanding where they come from and how they play from can help fans realize the sheer improbability of where these US strikers have arrived in their careers.

Herculez Gomez

It is this featured columnist’s opinion that Herculez Gomez’s climb into the USMNT was the most surprising of them all.

After MLS stints in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Colorado, Herculez circa 2009 found himself on the outside looking in for—wait for it—the Kansas City Wizards.

Curt Analfo and his staff knew Gomez was talented but didn’t like him as a striker, so most of his time in Kansas City was spent on the wing. In 34 appearances for the Wizards, Gomez scored only one goal. When Analfo was fired in 2009, Gomez saw little playing time as his contract expired.

In January of 2010, Gomez penned a deal with Puebla FC of the Mexican first division in what appeared to be a last-second desperation (read: cheap) signing for Puebla. Instead, Herculez earned a spot as a substitute and began showing a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net late in games.

Gomez went on the lead the Mexican Clausura—the first American to lead a foreign league in scoring, by the way—with 10 goals, most of which came in a substitute’s role. It was this explosion which put his name in the MNT mix, and when Davies was ruled unfit by Sochaux, and Eddie Johnson, Brian Ching, and Connor Casey were unable to claim their stake, Gomez was named to the 30-man provisional roster.

His camp was obviously good enough for Bradley to begin considering him as an option for the final 23, and a goal against the Czech Republic likely sealed his fate in the squad.

Another goal against Australia has fans clamoring for more Herculez, but don’t expect him to start any games in South Africa.

I expect Bob will use him as a late substitute, because Herculez brings energy, intelligence, and clean ball-striking to the game that is best exploited against tired defenses. He will give Jozy or another striker valuable rest while providing instant offense.

Still, can we really rely on a player who just a year ago struggled to crack the 11 of the mighty KC Wizards?

I believe we can. Gomez has a role to play, and his struggles in Kansas City were due to being played out of position and an overall lack of confidence. Going to Mexico has revitalized Herculez, and he has come back stronger than ever.

I see Gomez scoring a big goal in the group stages, likely against Slovenia, and helping the Americans advance out of the group.

Robbie Findley

Robbie Findley’s inclusion in the final 23-man roster was the most surprising selection for many fans, including this FC.

It just didn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense: Findley looked awful in friendlies against the Netherlands and El Salvador, played rarely in qualifying, and hasn’t had an exceptional run of form in 2010 for Real Salt Lake.

Still, Bob included him, and after his play in the pre-Cup friendlies against Turkey and Australia, it’s pretty obvious why he’s there: speed.

Findley is a one-trick pony, and that trick is running a hell of a lot faster than the opponent’s defense.

It may seem demeaning or like I’m knocking Findley, but I’m not. His speed replaces what Charlie Davies did for the US for the last two seasons.

Findley doesn’t have the awareness or experience of Davies, but his first touch is about on par, and, let’s remember, Davies has only scored four times for the US in his career.

Findley’s run to inclusion in the final roster started in 2009, when he led Real Salt Lake to the MLS Cup, scoring a goal in the final and finishing the season with 12 goals, tied with Landon Donovan, among others, for the third-highest total in the league.

More important—yet tragic—was the injury to Charlie Davies. Davies was a lock for the squad, but his inability to regain full match fitness left the US lacking a speedy forward that is crucial to their tactical system.

Bradley’s 4-4-2 works best when the forwards are willing and able to run in behind the defense. Findley provides exactly that, as seen in the spark he brought in the second half against Turkey, as well as the many chances he created against Australia.

Again, though, we’re talking about a guy with only six caps, zero international goals, and, despite his solid performances in the last two friendlies, Findley’s 2010 form has been, at best, average.

With that said, Findley shouldn’t, and probably won’t, start—at least not against England. I have my own opinions about who we should run out against England, but Robbie Findley, despite the speed he brings to the table, simply lacks the quality it takes to threaten the English defense.

Findley does have a role on this team, and if Jozy, Buddle, and Gomez fail to find their creative form, Findley’s speed could be crucial in getting the US a goal or two that will make the difference between advancing and not.

Edson Buddle

If the name “Edson” doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps the name “Pele” does.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, aka Pele, is one of the greatest players to ever touch a soccer ball. While his namesake, young Edson Buddle of the United States, doesn’t quite have the same pedigree, it seems he’s growing into his name more and more comfortably with time.

Buddle’s story is one of the most interesting of the bunch, if only for the amount of time between his first cap, which lasted all of 11 minutes, and his second—seven years.

In that seven years, Buddle battled injury after injury while being shipped to five different MLS teams. He began in Columbus, where he scored 42 times in 101 appearances for the Crew, and it seemed Buddle could be a potential star for the MNT.

However, leg injuries and a violation of a run-in with Columbus police for suspicion of drinking and driving ended his stay with the Crew, and he spent the next two seasons in New York and Toronto, scoring only six goals in 38 games. It seemed Buddle’s once bright star was fading fast.

Then came the move to LA. The chance to play alongside stars like Eddie Lewis, Landon Donovan, and, eventually, David Beckham helped Buddle realize the work and effort it took to be world class. He blossomed in LA, scoring 34 goals in 70 games.

It was his rocket-hot start to the 2010 campaign (much like Gomez) that stirred up commotion about a possible slot in the World Cup side. Nine goals in seven games had Bob Bradley’s eye on Buddle, and the American striker named for Pele finally seemed to be living up to the appellation.

Bradley kept Buddle in the squad at the expense of Ching, likely because of injury, but Buddle proved his coach right, scoring twice against Australia and seemingly forging a place for himself in the starting lineup.

Like Gomez, Buddle is a former MLS journeyman turned potential international starter. Will that cut it against the best in the world?

I think Buddle has what it takes to shine in South Africa. If Bradley is going to start one of the three “new” strikers, it has to be Buddle, based on form, skill set, and overall presence on the pitch.

His connection with Landon Donovan won’t hurt, either.

Buddle should start at least one group game, if not more, and if he bags a couple of goals, don’t be surprised—there’s more to a name than you might think.

Jozy Altidore

The broad shoulders of Jozy Altidore have quite a bit of weight to carry this summer—the pressure of starting in a World Cup for the first time, leading the American attack against the likes of John Terry and Ashley Cole, a chance to make a name for himself on an international level after a season of club struggles, and, oh yeah, the hopes of an entire nation.

Most people would at least get a headache with the worry, but Jozy seems to smile it off.

Back in full training following an ankle injury, Altidore will be called upon to battle with Terry and Ledley King on Saturday’s opener for both England and the US. Altidore may not have the pedigree of these guys, but ask John Terry how much fun he had marking Jozy in Hull City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Though he is only 20, Jozy is far from the new kid on the block. In fact, with 25 caps and nine international goals, Jozy is the veteran of the American strike force. He began his career with the New York Red Bulls, scoring his first professional goal at age 16. A successful stint in New York led to a $10 million sale to Villarreal of La Liga.

Jozy failed to make an impact for the Spanish side, scoring only once in six appearances, and he was loaned to Hull City for the 2009-10 EPL season. Though he played quite well in spurts, he returned to the USMNT with only a goal in 28 appearances.

Still, Jozy’s new-found experience will be crucial to his performance in South Africa. If healthy, he will likely start every game, and when the US go looking for goals, it will be up to Jozy to answer the call.

As far as predictions go, it’s hard to say how Jozy will do in this Cup. He could flop out and send the US home with nothing to show, but a Best Young Player Award wouldn’t be out of place in his trophy case, either.