Compelling Soccer

So the Slovakia game was an ugly affair for the US team. Let's face it; the Slovaks are a team the US should be able to handle. Unfortunately, the US attack stagnated without Landon Donovan and became a complete non-entity once Clint Dempsey checked out of this one. With the two nowhere to be found for this game, that doesn't bode well for the team's chances against a much stronger Danish side. In theory it could provide plenty of opportunity for someone to step up, especially in the midfield, and show something that cements their place in the South Africa squad. In practice, that probably won't happen, though it's probably wise to keep an eye on Danish based Benny Feilhaber.

What lineup can we expect from Bob Bradley? Here's my educated guess:

---Altidore-----------Cunningham----


---Holden-------------------Rogers---


-------Feilhaber----Bradley-----------

Castillo----Bocanegra----Conrad----Spector


---------------Guzan----------------------


Since Jozy wasn't sent back ala Dempsey and Cherundolo, I'd gather he begins the game up top. The question is with who. My guess is Cunningham. If there was ever an opportunity to see if he's got what it takes from an international level, this would be it. I suspect the answer is he doesn't have it, but let's see it so we can put this fawning over a good half season of MLS play to bed. As much as I'm on board with FIP (Eddie Johnson) getting the opportunity to play because he brings a plus attribute to the table, his future is still tied to the time he gets with Fulham. This friendly should mean little in the grand scale of things for him. If he plays with Fulham consistently, he'll be going to South Africa. If he doesn't then he won't no won't, probably no matter what he does against Denmark. (Barring some ridiculous 3 goal game)

As for Conor Casey, I think we've seen enough. He simply lacks the pace necessary to be an effective player at the international level. We won't forget the game against Honduras, but there's no way he should be with the squad in South Africa.

The midfield is largely unchanged from the set up against Slovakia with Holden replacing the now departed Dempsey. I don't like Holden on the wings; Rogers has shown more in his last two outings than Stu has out there. But with no wing players present, he'll get the role by default. This is something to watch since it's becoming more apparent by the day that Dempsey is probably the best option for a strike partner with Altidore. That will leave one of the wing slots open to be filled with Holden or Rogers.

Ricardo Clark was called up which probably means he'll get some action. But I suspect with the game in Denmark, Feilhaber, who plays there, will start instead.

On defense, Spector will move back to the right with Cherundolo sent back to Hannover 96. Marshall's out again so that means Jimmy Conrad or Clarence Goodson will be the likely candidates to start. Goodson didn't look great Saturday so I think Conrad will get the initial nod.

Left back should be interesting. Will Bradley again turn back to Jonathan Bornstein as he has whenever Bornstein has crapped himself? Or does he finally go away from his former player and give the start to Edgar Castillo? Again, Castillo is a very similar player Bornstein, an smallish, offensive left back who can leave a lot to be desired defensively. That said, Bornstein applies his trade in MLS. Castillo does it in Mexico, which is simply a better league. Enough with JB; try him at left midfield if you want to use him that badly. But someone else needs to get a look at LB and it starts with Castillo. Heath Pearce should also get some run out there as well as a second half sub.

I'm sold on Brad Guzan as the potential goalie of the future for the US who might be good enough to start in the present. Because of that I might consider giving someone else a look like Troy Perkins. But I'm guessing what Bradley will do here and I think Guzan gets the nod.