# USA World Cup final roster **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 26, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877 "2010-05-26T21:26:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/1 "2010-05-26T21:26:01Z")
\*\*Goalkeepers - \*\* Brad Guzan Aston Villa (ENG) Marcus Hahnemann Wolves (ENG) Tim Howard Everton (ENG) \*\*Defenders - \*\* Jonathan Bornstein Chivas USA Carlos Bocanegra Rennes (FRA) Steve Cherundolo Hannover (GER) Jay DeMerit Watford (ENG) Clarence Goodson Start (NOR) Oguchi Onyewu AC Milan (ITA) Jonathan Spector West Ham (ENG) \*\*Midfielders - \*\* DaMarcus Beasley Rangers (SCO) Michael Bradley Moenchengladbach (GER) Ricardo Clark Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) Clint Dempsey Fulham (ENG) Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy Maurice Edu Rangers (SCO) Benny Feilhaber AGF Aarhus (DEN) Stuart Holden Bolton (ENG) Jose Francisco Torres Pachuca (MEX) \*\*Forwards - \*\* Jozy Altidore Villarreal (ESP) Edson Buddle Los Angeles Galaxy Robbie Findley Real Salt Lake Herculez Gomez Pachuca (MEX) The biggest surprise is no Brian Ching. He had a good game last night but he must have lingering injury issues. It was probably the last forward spot, and maybe Bradley thought if he needed to use it in SA, speed would be the most important asset. Defense is really weak. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/2 "2010-05-26T22:26:22Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Defense is really weak. I wouldn’t go that far. IF (and yes, that is literally a big “if”) Gooch is ready to go, then a defense of Bocanegra, Gooch, DeMerit and Spector looks pretty decent to me, with Goodson as cover in the middle, Cherundolo a not-intolerable outside option, and the last-gasp possibility of Edu dropping back if you really need another guy. Midfield is clearly the strength of this team. Personally, I’d go with Deuce, Edu, Bradley The Younger and Donovan, with Deuce ready to push up if we need an extra striker. Up top is the biggest question to me. Altidore is obvious, but who else? I’d tend to think Gomez is the choice. Buddle’s just OK and Findley is just there as a late game speedster. It may actually be best to move Dempsey up top and start Holden or Torres or Clark or (shudder) Beasley outside. All in all, I’m fairly happy with this team. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/3 "2010-05-26T22:41:26Z")
I’m with **TheBoltEater**. The front line is what concerns me - Altidore, OK, but who else? The strengths are in the middle, and at GK. Also interesting how few players play for MLS. That might be a good sign, to be honest. Even Donovan had a pretty good showing in the EPL this year. That leaves only 3 primarily MLS players, right? ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/4 "2010-05-26T22:55:52Z")
Our first game is against you guys! June 12th! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/5 "2010-05-26T23:04:20Z")
> [@TheBoltEater](#): > > Up top is the biggest question to me. Altidore is obvious, but who else? I’d tend to think Gomez is the choice. Buddle’s just OK and Findley is just there as a late game speedster. It may actually be best to move Dempsey up top and start Holden or Torres or Clark or (shudder) Beasley outside. > > All in all, I’m fairly happy with this team. Although Gomez is leading MFL in goals (tied), he’s mostly used as a sub. So I wouldn’t expect to see him start. I think it’s either Jozy and Buddle OR they play Donovan or Dempsey as a withdrawn forward and put someone else in the middle. If Donovan is in the mid field he’ll most likely play out on the flank with Bradley and one of Clark, Edu or Feilhaber in the center. I think Holden or Torres have a shot at significant midfield minutes as well. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/6 "2010-05-26T23:06:46Z")
> [@TheBoltEater](#): > > I wouldn’t go that far. IF (and yes, that is literally a big “if”) Gooch is ready to go, then a defense of Bocanegra, Gooch, DeMerit and Spector looks pretty decent to me, It will probably be Cherundolo instead of Spector. Spector’s been in pretty poor form from what I understand. ---
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/7 "2010-05-26T23:37:23Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Also interesting how few players play for MLS. That might be a good sign, to be honest. Even Donovan had a pretty good showing in the EPL this year. That leaves only 3 primarily MLS players, right? This is a very good thing. the MLS simply doesn’t have the same competitive level as the big boys, so taking players who compete at that higher level is definitely what we want. > [@Yookeroo](#): > > It will probably be Cherundolo instead of Spector. Spector’s been in pretty poor form from what I understand. My thoughts exactly. I like Spector a lot, but from what I hear he’s been off game. Cherundolo is pretty solid though. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/8 "2010-05-27T02:48:17Z")
> [@PopeJewish](#): > > This is a very good thing. the MLS simply doesn’t have the same competitive level as the big boys, so taking players who compete at that higher level is definitely what we want. Although, if I can be a homer for the league, 16 of the 23 players got their start in MLS. MLS is doing a damn good job of doing what this country needed 10-15 years ago: a stable league developing the next generation of national team players. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/9 "2010-05-27T03:14:40Z")
> [@Piker](#): > > Although, if I can be a homer for the league, 16 of the 23 players got their start in MLS. MLS is doing a damn good job of doing what this country needed 10-15 years ago: a stable league developing the next generation of national team players. Maybe so, but there’s a downside here as well. Admittedly, I am not a soccer fan, but I don’t recognize any of the names on that list. When the World Cup is over, win, lose, or draw, most of those guys are going back to the European teams from whence they came. Any publicity “bump” they may generate for the game will be wasted, because we won’t hear from these guys again. In four years, there will be a new crop of guys nobody ever heard of playing for the national team. It might be better in the short term to send a weaker team comprised mostly of people that actually play in this country, and keep some of the buzz going in the media… ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/10 "2010-05-27T03:54:50Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Maybe so, but there’s a downside here as well. Admittedly, I am not a soccer fan, but I don’t recognize any of the names on that list. When the World Cup is over, win, lose, or draw, most of those guys are going back to the European teams from whence they came. Any publicity “bump” they may generate for the game will be wasted, because we won’t hear from these guys again. In four years, there will be a new crop of guys nobody ever heard of playing for the national team. It might be better in the short term to send a weaker team comprised mostly of people that actually play in this country, and keep some of the buzz going in the media… I’m of the opinion that American domestic soccer is never going to be considered top tier until they play in the same competition as the Big Boys in Europe. Until Barcelona plays the New York Football Club or something in a game that counts, any American league is going to be considered second tier.\* The much ballyhooed quadrellenal “publicity bump” is never going to do much of anything, domestic-based players or not. \*This is coming from a big MLS fan. Go Quakes! ---
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/11 "2010-05-27T04:15:41Z")
> [@Piker](#): > > Although, if I can be a homer for the league, 16 of the 23 players got their start in MLS. MLS is doing a damn good job of doing what this country needed 10-15 years ago: a stable league developing the next generation of national team players. I agree with you there. It’s a good place to get a start, and it’s becoming a place where some great players can begin their careers. But that’s the thing, it’s where they’ll begin their careers. There’s a reason old timers from the big leagues come to MLS for their retirement ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/12 "2010-05-27T05:26:44Z")
Spector’s poor form has generally come on the left of the defense. He very well may play there. It’s between him and Boca IMO. I fully expect we’ll see the following against England: -------Howard Spector-Demerit-Gooch(Goodson)-Bocanegra Holden----Clark----Bradley----Donovan ---------Dempsey------Altidore Goodson starting if Gooch isn’t healthy. He looked really iffy against the Czechs, didn’t he? Beasley might also get a start to help Bocanegra deal with pace down the wing. Then Holden sits and Donovan switches sides. I have three concerns: Onyewu’s health, left back, and how they’ll transition from a speedy counter-attacking team without Davies. Findley has the same pace, but I hope he doesn’t see the field ever. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/13 "2010-05-27T05:42:06Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Maybe so, but there’s a downside here as well. Admittedly, I am not a soccer fan, but I don’t recognize any of the names on that list. When the World Cup is over, win, lose, or draw, most of those guys are going back to the European teams from whence they came. Any publicity “bump” they may generate for the game will be wasted, because we won’t hear from these guys again. In four years, there will be a new crop of guys nobody ever heard of playing for the national team. It might be better in the short term to send a weaker team comprised mostly of people that actually play in this country, and keep some of the buzz going in the media… Throw the biggest sporting event in the world so that people who don’t care about soccer still will pay lip service to it for another couple days afterward? Possibly the worst idea of all time. Landon Donovan is only the best American soccer player\* of all time, and he plays in MLS. He’s also played in two previous World Cups. His sticking around clearly didn’t register, and if that didn’t, nothing will. - Field player. I wouldn’t argue if you said Brad Friedel was the better player. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/14 "2010-05-27T07:41:09Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I wouldn’t argue if you said Brad Friedel was the better player. Is there a reason Friedel no longer plays for the national team? He’s still number one choice at Villa ahead of Brad Guzan and he’s had a great season. (Disclaimer, I know nothing about US soccer, but I am an English Aston Villa fan). ---
**Author:** ![candide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@candide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/candide)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/15 "2010-05-27T09:16:02Z")
The back row will be a sieve. Ogechi Onyewu, as good as he is, is out of shape for the WC. His passes were weak, he couldn’t jump on offense or defense, he shouldn’t be on the team. Bob Bradley is gambling with the roster he selected. It is loaded with attackers. If we get behind I think it will be difficult to come back. Howard is a good goaltender, but he doesn’t respond well to difficulty. I project that in the first round, the US will give up 5 goals. I think that will be a difficult number to overcome. American midfieldiers are not good enough to create enough attacking opportunities for Altidore and Buddle. And I don’t believe Bradley believes in Gomez. He will be seen fleetingly. The team selected disappoints me. Nevertheless, I will be wearing my stars and stripes, banging heads, come June 12. ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/16 "2010-05-27T09:18:46Z")
Didn’t Altidore play for Hull? Or did he get a transfer to Villareal, if so good for him! I’m actually very happy with this selection, it seems Slovenia will have a better chance to progress than I had expected 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/17 "2010-05-27T11:57:24Z")
> [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](#): > > Didn’t Altidore play for Hull? Or did he get a transfer to Villareal, if so good for him! He started at Villareal, played a couple of matches, then got transferred into a bad loan situation at Xerex(sp?) in the Spanish second division. After that I think it was a direct sale to Hull, where he wasn’t as pants as the rest of the team. > [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](#): > > I’m actually very happy with this selection, it seems Slovenia will have a better chance to progress than I had expected 🙂 Don’t worry, England will probably still make it through. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/18 "2010-05-27T16:06:17Z")
> [@candide](#): > > The team selected disappoints me. Nevertheless, I will be wearing my stars and stripes, banging heads, come June 12. Who would you rather have seen? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/19 "2010-05-27T16:10:22Z")
What happened to Freddy Adu, anyway? Did he just slow down as his body reached adulthood, or was he just never really that talented? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877/20 "2010-05-27T16:16:29Z")
Ah! I’ve just realised that I’m going to be in the US form the Eng-USA match. Bugger…how widespread will the coverage be? are the major networks carrying all the live matches or do I have to find an Irish bar? (as usual) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-world-cup-final-roster/540877.md?page=2)