U.S. turns its attention toward Mexico
After beating an (at-best) second-rate Sweden side by a more comfortable margin than the final score of 3-2 suggested, the U.S. now has two weeks to prepare for the opening match of the final round of World Cup qualifying against Mexico (Feb. 11, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). With that in mind, did Bob Bradley see anything against Sweden that will affect the starting lineup he names for the game in Columbus? My guess would be that he did not and that the names he picks will be very similar or perhaps even identical to:
Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan, Landon Donovan, Brian Ching.
There are a few spots to debate, of course. For example, both Marvell Wynne and Jonathan Bornstein showed their upsides against Sweden but were also guilty of lapses, mainly at the defensive end, which makes their selections unlikely. On a side note, several readers asked what I meant last week when I called Bornstein a "better pure footballer" than Pearce.
Basically, I see Bornstein as having better instincts and a superior skill set to Pearce and saw some of my thinking borne out on Saturday. However, I will concede that at the present time, he is not ready take on the mantle of first-choice left-back. Much like Wynne (though in different areas, given that Wynne's athleticism is his strength while his technique holds him back), his potential has not turned into performance as yet.
If he was not in already, Kljestan won himself a starting berth with his display. The
goals aside, his ability to consistently support the front two was impressive and it is easy to see why Celtic is keen on the Chivas man. I do agree with several things I have read that highlighted his tendency to be less effective against a higher level of pressure.
Thus, with DaMarcus Beasley's lack of playing time at Rangers a further factor, Kljestan should start on the left against Mexico, outside Michael Bradley and Clark, who also did what he does with effectiveness against Spain. He won't win you a game but the Houston midfielder will do much to ensure you don't lose it. Every good side needs a "water carrier," a term that has evolved from a criticism into a compliment.
My thoughts on Ching being the right man to lead the line are well-documented and the fact that he makes the players around him better should outweigh any concern people have about his less-than-stellar goal scoring record. After all, Stephane Guivarc'h was a non-scoring striker for the 1998 French World Cup-winning team while, eight years later, Italy triumphed despite their main striker, Luca Toni, failing to net in five of the six matches he played.
Did not play, young men
Beyond the starting XI against Mexico, the concerns for Bradley are a host of players in his pool who are currently not playing sufficient minutes for their club teams. Last weekend, among the Americans abroad who saw playing time, Eddie Johnson recorded one minute, while Jose Francisco Torres played less than a quarter of a match.
Brad Guzan, Jonathan Spector, Beasley, Maurice Edu, Jozy Altidore and Danny Szetela all failed to see action with Beasley, Edu and Altidore not even part of their club's game-day rosters. Freddy Adu, meanwhile, was also out because of injury but, given his fortunes until now at Monaco, it is not unreasonable to suggest that, even had he been fit, he too would have been idle.
This widespread lack of playing time -- in addition to the evidence from the Sweden game that several members of America's next generation, such as Robbie Rogers, Kenny Cooper and Charlie Davies, remain inconsistent at international level -- serves as a warning that, beyond the first choices, this American squad remains one filled with uncertainty in terms of what it will become.
Perhaps this time next year, as the World Cup approaches, things will be different and the competition for places will be driven more by what players are doing in games than what they show in training sessions. There will be plenty of international chances, with the Gold and Confederations Cups this summer affording Bradley the chance to see all of his possibles on a number of occasions.
For now, with an alarming number of players out of favor at their clubs, fans should hope that the side that plays against Mexico remains healthy and in form throughout what remains the main priority for 2009: qualifying for 2010.
A thing that made me go hmmm ...
Away from the national team and the fact that, very quietly it seems, MLS clubs are preparing for the season ahead, the dominant story line in world soccer circles has concerned the future of the captain of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
David Beckham scored his first goal for AC Milan on Sunday, as the Rossoneri romped to an impressive 4-1 win at Bologna. Following the game, Beckham was quoted as saying "we'll see" when asked what lay ahead for him, and referred to his time in MLS as "frustrating" a few days later. It was a far cry from the assertions, when the announcement of his loan to Milan was made, that this was nothing more than a loan.
Clearly, Beckham would like to sign a permanent deal at the San Siro, a feeling that is reciprocated by the seven-time European Cup winners, to the extent that Milan is prepared to pay several million dollars for him. The question is, what happens next? Reports suggest that Beckham's contract with the league has an opt-out clause that can be triggered at the end of 2009. If true, given the money that MLS could recoup in these difficult economic times, his imminent departure seems almost certain.
However, more interesting will be if the league plays hardball. What would Beckham do in response? He has rarely walked away from anything during his career but his desire to play in the next World Cup is all that is driving his 33-year-old legs. While he is still on Fabio Capello's radar and given his early success in Italy, there seems little doubt that the days of Beckham in Hollywood are numbered.
Trivia time
Finally this week, here's one to set your minds racing. With his goal on Sunday, Beckham become the first Englishman to score in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. Which American-born striker has also achieved this impressive feat?
And how many members of this exclusive club can you name? At the time of writing, I had come up with seven.
Andrew Hush
