USA
2009 Confederations Cup runners-up USA are looking forward to contesting in their ninth World Cup Finals. USA's best finish was 3rd place in the inaugral World Cup in Uruguay. Manager Bob Bradley has taken his team to 14th in the current FIFA World rankings and are the only team in 4 years to have defeated favourites for this years competition, Spain.
The Americans qualification to South Africa was far from easy, their home form was impressive, however their away form was a concern, only winning 2 games away out of 5 (Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras). USA did however top their group with 20 points from 10 games. Their qualification from the group in the World Cup is far from a certainty. USA's first game of the tournament is against the much fancied England, they then face the dangerous Slovenia and the little known Algeria. They'll fancy their chances of qualification into the knockout rounds, but have a difficult task in doing so.
USA are in horrific form in recent friendlies, losing 4 out of 5 and their only victory was a 2-1 win at home to minnows El Salvador courtesy of a 92nd minute winner. Bradley has named his 30man preliminary squad for the World Cup with very few surprises, the only talking point was the inclusion of Oguchi Onyewu, who has been struggling all season with injuries at AC Milan:
30 Man Preliminary Squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa),Tim Howard (Everton),Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
DEFENDERS
Carlos Bocanegra (C)(Rennes),Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA),Steve Cherundolo (Hannover),Jay DeMerit (Watford),Clarence Goodson (IK Start),Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew),Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan),Heath Pearce (FC Dallas),Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS
DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers),Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro),Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach),Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt),Clint Dempsey (Fulham),Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy),Maurice Edu (Rangers),Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus),Stuart Holden (Bolton),Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA),Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew),José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS
Jozy Altidore (Villarreal),Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy),Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo),Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake),Herculez Gomez (Puebla),Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
KEY MAN: Landon Donovan (Midfielder/Forward, Right/Centre, LA Galaxy) Impressive spell in England with Everton, Donovan has pace and an eye for goal, finding a set place for him on the team seems to be Bradleys most difficult decision, however if Donovan plays well, USA will play well.
ONE TO WATCH: Michael Bradley (Midfielder, Centre, Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Bradley isn't just picked because his father, Bob, is the head coach of USA. Hard working and a good tackler, he has a very good all round game but does pick up one too many bookings. Has an eye for goal, scoring 7 in 41 for the national team.
Craig Stewart
No comments:
Post a Comment