Interesting mix of players. Would be nice to see Feilhaber, Altidore, Adu, and Edu on the field together.

Did you see the Jamacian Federation fired Bora? Breach of Contract. Goff, do you have something on this?

I think Bocanegra and Dempsey are the best US players. I think they are better than Good ol' Landon and that Bocanegra should have been named US Player of the Year. So I am happy to see him in the line up.

I would like to see Danny Szetela in there along with Lee Nguyen.

No Marc Burch or Clyde Simms? WTF is Bob Bradley thinking????

uhhhh..... I can actually say I have no complaints. I'm not crazy about Eddie Lewis being there, I thought he was average at best in the Switzlerland game, but he's a veteran and BB seems to like to bring at least one veteran into camps for the younger players.
The thing I love about it is he's bringing players who have a legitimate shot at playing in the 2010 World Cup, therefore getting these guys a glimpse of playing in Africa is great for preparation and familiarity.
I have to say I like it.

¿Califf?

¿Really?

Why am I being selected? I suck.

I'm very pleased with this line up. Great to see BOTH Adu and Altidore on the field together at the senior level, and getting experience in S. Africa. I think this is a great team, and I want to see them spend a lot of time together so they can truly gel.

How much have Altidore and Donovan played together? Not much, I think. If Donovan is going to be part of the 2010 team, those two need some serious time learning to anticipate eachother's moves.

Yeah, Landon sure sucks. I'd much rather see Eddie Gaven or Taylor Twellman out there. (sigh)

I like it. Should be interesting to watch!

Please....with all my kissing my wrists 100 hundred times before penalty kicks...how could I not be selected for the team.

Lewis? Why?

Other than that, no complaints. I would like to see Freddy start, but I think Bradley will hold him in reserve. Here's what I see him sending out:

---------------------- Howard
Cherundolo - Onyewu - Bocanegra - Bornstein
----------------- Bradley - Feilhaber
Beasley -------------- Donovan -------------- Lewis
---------------------- Dempsey

What can I say? Bob is a huge Elvis fan.

It's about time Jozy gets the call-up... this is about as good a roster as we can throw at them right now. Convey still isn't 100%, hence Eddie Lewis' inclusion.
Also, Houston, New England, Chicago, & KC are still playing in the MLS playoffs, so we can't get Ching, Eddie Johnson, Jimmy Conrad, Chris Rolfe, Justin Mapp, Rico Clark, or Twellman (not gonna miss him).
I would still like to see Heath Pearce, Frankie Simek, & Jay DeMerit in the defense... and it's nice to see Sacha Kljestan getting the call-up. That kid's been awesome this year.

Looks like a pretty good mix of young and veteran players. I like Bradley's willingness to bleed a lot of these kids before qualifying starts.

While continuing my eternal debate, I do admit... even though I suck, I am the least suckiest of the sucky American forwards.

I at least a consolation prize, right?

Right?

Hello? Is this thing on?

Great roster so far. I hope Freddy gets more minutes.

Umm... we're playing South Africa. Not Italy or Brazil, why would we use a 4-5-1 (aka White-flag formation)?

I like this mix. There's some real promising talent here.

Landon and Beasley out wide. Even tho Landon is listed as a forward.

Feilhaber and Dempsey in the middle.

Adu and Altidore up top. I think they could work well together. Altidore has grown into his size quite well this season and could be really imposing by 2010. He works well in the air as well as having good footskills. Of course, Adu is quick, skillful, and is proving to have a bit of a nose for goal here of late. Plus, I thought these two combined well in the U20s last summer.

Howard between the pipes. He still scares me at times with poor positioning and decision making, but I think he's getting steady minutes at Everton, right? So he's got to be improving.

In the back, I like Bornstein and Cherundolo as our outside options. Both players who get up in the attack with some success. Smaller guys, to be sure. In the center, Gooch and Boca. I don't much care for Gooch, but I don't know anything a out Califf.

Then having guys like Kljestan and Edu off the bench is very promising. Edu played very well when I saw him this season in MLS, far beyond his years. Kljestan had some moments in Copa America this summer I thought.

I also thought, even though he looked pretty well outmatched, Guzan didn't show his best at the Copa America. I'm glad to see him getting another look.

All in all, despite not being sold on him as the best coach for the job, I continue to be excited by Bradley's selection. If anything, I'd like to see more fresh blood, and I'm sure BB won't dissapoint with his remaining call-ups.

Ok, enough with war and peace.

I'd argue that this is a collection of the most exciting U.S. players out there today (I'd include Rico Clark, but I could see why he's in the dog house these days...also, maybe Parkhurst).

A fun lineup would be:

Howard
Dolo-Boco-Gooch
Bradley-Edu
Adu-Donovan-Beasley
Dempsey-Altidore

btw, what's up with Calif? I haven't heard anything about him in ages....Any chance DCU could grab him?

jj: 3-2-3-2

hmm, very interesting formation. I'd never really considered something like that before. I like it!

Adu play the wing in a 3-5-2? He'll throw a fit.

I imagine he'll be a sub and hopefully play as a CAM (although Bradley seems to like playing a box midfield or at least 2 holding/box to box mids without a true CAM) or withdrawn striker, behind Jozy.

guys... Landon Donovan is the US SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR, okay?

best of the best!

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS

Califf is captain for the Danish team Aalborg BK

Really shocked at Lewis and Califf. Thought bringing them in last time was questionable and their performances didn't merit this additional call-up. There are some injuries to US defenders, but there are better options than Califf. Given Beasley's presence, is Lewis just in for "experience" and cover at LMid/LBack? Why not someone with some future?

Glad to see the younger content and look forward to the match, but let's keep Califf and Lewis off the field.

Looking at the upcoming Olympic qualifiers, I like this strong nucleus in the midfield - Freddy, Edu, Bradley, and Kljestan. It would have been nice to see Szetela called up for this friendly. Let's reward Jozy with his first cap, too!

I love that Sacha and Jozy got the call.

Here's my starting Lineup:

---------------------- Howard
Cherundolo - Onyewu - Bocanegra - Bornstein
-----------------Bradley
-Beasley -----------------------------Lewis
-----------------Donovan
------------Altidore---Dempsey

In two years time, when we're preparing for 2010, I'd probably like to see Adu start at CAM, since he will have matured a lot as a player, whereas Donovan will have his growth stunted with the Galaxy. Maybe Becks will teach him how to cross properly though...that would be an asset and would potentially allow Donovan to be effective on the wing.

I agree with the comments regarding Lewis and Calff. I too don't see much point in calling them in to the mix. Lewis who has been a steady team servant won't be on the field in 2010 and Califf I simply find inadequate for the international game. But then, Bradley has to call in someone and none of us are privy to who is hurting and who has a team manager that will pitch a fit about their players going to South Africa. Whereas by Fifa rules a team manager has to release players (I think) that does not necessarily mean that the player will not pay a price for going. The national team manager has to successfully juggle the politics of the world game.

And what happened to Heath Pearce??

Where is Pearce? Eddie Lewis baffles me. Bob baffles me.

Expected lineup:

-----------Howard
Cher--Onyewu--Boca---Bornstein
-----------Bradley
Donovan------------Beasley
-----------Edu
-----Altidore-----Dempsey

- The biggest question is if Feilhaber starts instead of Edu. My preference is what I wrote above. With Bradley liking Donovan as a winger as opposed to a forward the midfield competition gets fierce.

- Freddy will be a second half sub as a forward.

- Its possible that Lewis might start over Bornstein, depending on how the practices go.

- Califf, who won't start, earned more callups from his good half vs Switzerland. He is definitely in the mix for 2010. To me it looks like the competition for central defenders consists of Boca, Onyewu, Califf, Conrad & Parkhurst. Parkhurst would have been called up if NE had lost last night and Conrad will get the call if Kansas City loses Saturday. With this group, Boca is almost locked in to start in 2010. Onyewu has the inside track for the other spot (I think) but if his love of yellow cards continues then he will drop in the pecking order. Who would then benefit? hard to say long-term though Conrad has the edge for now. His age though...

- Another coach would call Simms up but I'm pretty sure that Bradley has his short list of central mids already inked in: Bradley, Feilhaber, Edu, Kljestan and maybe Clark. From that group will be chosen the 2010 central mids. Simms is probably not enough of a two-way threat for Bradley's schemes but we'll see.

I bet Jozy gets no more than 10 minutes tops. But, I'd really like to see Adu get a start, and see him on the field with Dempsey, Donovan, and Beasley.

Califf can definitely help us out in qualifying. He'll be coming back to the Quakes next year, and he'll dominate next year in MLS. You read it here first, and I made it up. Ok, I read it somewhere else, but I don't remember where. But I'm pretty sure it was made up by someone somewhere.

I would like to return this award, since I dont deserve it.

Eddie Lewis' call up is a waste at this point. There are plenty of other experienced players already (Boca, Howard, Beasley, Donovan). That spot should have gone to a younger prospect. Bad decision Bob.

I'll admit to not having seen him play that much, but is Guzan at a level that he warrants the automatic back-up goalie spot? Or is it more getting him experience leading up to the Olympic qualifying?

emanon- both. You should be shocked if he isn't on the 2010 team.

in the game against Switzerland, it was quickly apparent that Lewis was cutting it at left back, so Bob put in Pearce and moved Lewis up to left wing.

I thought Pearce played great in that game. So why is Lewis still on the roster and no Pearce? Pearce has looked better than Bornstein every time he's been out there.

Dominating?

What about the up to other four spots? It depends on which teams are eliminated for MLS Cup:

- Parkhurst would have been a call-up, possibly Twellman yet again but they are out now.

- From Chicago its possible that we'll see Rolfe but I don't see anyone else.

- That leaves Kansas City if they lose: Conrad will get a callup, maybe Arnaud again. Maybe Johnson.

If Houston loses then look for Robinson to get a look. Probably Ching.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz....

HOPED FOR STARTING LINEUP:

---------------Howard---------------
Cherundolo------Boca-------Bornstein
---------Bradley----Feilhaber-------
Kljestan-------Donovan-------Beasley
---------Altidore-----Dempsey-------

EXPECTED STARTING LINUP:

---------------Howard---------------
Cherundolo--Gooch--Boca----Bornstein
Beasley---Bradley--Feilhaber---Lewis
-------Donovan-------Dempsey--------

"emanon- both. You should be shocked if he isn't on the 2010 team."

howard, hannehman, seitz

A decent list, though I'm surprised to see Lewis selected over a healthy Convey, great to see Jozy getting his shot, I can't wait until Parkhurst can come in once the MLS season is over and finally get his chance to end the tyrannical reign of Gooch at the other CB position, especially if he makes the rumored move to Fulham...

I hope Marcr Burch can get a call-up. He has a lot of potential.

I'm pretty happy with this roster, especially because Jozy and Freddy are on it.

I was a little confused by Bradley's apparent love affair with Danny Califf until I realized that DeMerit, Conrad, and Parkhurst are all unavailable, so Califf's a good choice.

I hope Eddie Lewis is only there in case we need him as a stopgap; I don't think that he'll be much help to us in 2010 or during qualifying.

Would have liked to see Rolfe.

No doubt about it: Bradley prefers Bornstein over Pearce.

I'm all for hating Landon Donovan when he's wearing a Galaxy shirt, but I don't quite understand the crap that he gets from some US fans. Okay: he's not the second coming. But he IS probably our best player. He doesn't "suck."

Is Eddie Lewis having the type of season in europe that warrants his inclusion? He must be doing something right.

Can we just not bring Donovan? Sorry, but there are a bunch of other folks who can score penalty kicks, and his direct kicks are just awful.

Otherwise, this is a pretty good mix.

Wow. I have no real complaints with this lineup.
It's nice to see Jozy get his call-up, and honestly, I have no problem if Bradley takes a bit of time to ease him into the team -- as long as he's got the ball rolling on getting the youngsters involved.
My only quibble (assuming DeMerit's absence is down to injury and Lewis is present for the sake of veteran leadership) is that Bradley continues to favor Bornstein (and just about anyone else, it seems) to Heath Pearce, who has done quite well, in my opinion, at left back.

For fun I'd like to see a young, attacking lineup like this:

-------------Howard-----------
Dolo---Gooch---Boca---Bornstein
Feilhaber----Edu-------Beasley
------------Dempsey-------------
-------Alitdore-----Adu---------

More realistically I hope we see both Altidore and Adu come off the bench. I like Feihaber but Bradley should start instead because Bradley is playing very well and Feilhaber is off-form and can't even make Derby's bench.

it's just so nice to say it: jozy!

this is a very exciting young lineup: altidore, adu, edu, feilhaber and bradley. though it would be nice if feilahber was in form...

"I hope Marcr Burch can get a call-up. He has a lot of potential."

How about he plays a full season before DC fans annoint him the new Baresi?

finally, a great mix of players. closest thing to a 2010 roster we've seen yet. hopeful lineup:

-------------howard--------------
cherundolo, gooch, boca, bornstein
donovan---feilhaber--bradley--beasley
-------------Adu---------------
--------------Dempsey----------

substitutions: edu for bradley, altidore for dempsey

i'm also not a fan of the "on-form" distinction of players based on their club teams. there's a huge difference between playing club and playing international. convey was the "on-form" player heading into the last world cup, and he was also one of the worst players on the field when he got there (not that we had very many that were good, but still...) Many of the biggest club stars in the world just can't cut it on the international level, whereas some club "busts" are the motors that drive their national teams. in the end its all about who you trust on the field, and many times the guys that you say are "hot" right now are the same ones you don't trust but want on the field for the chance of a good performance.

Donovan's a no-talent hack. Doesn't come through in the big games. Certainly doesn't deserve the spot on the team if it is based on merit.

Bornstein is ok going forward but is a terrible defender. Why does Bob keep picking him in front of Pearce, and why doesn't he give Spector another shot there?

Umm... wasn't Convey coming off an injury just prior to the World Cup in 06?

For the last time: Donovan is not a forward!

Great roster selection, although the exclusion of Heath Pearce can only be put down to his lack of playing time at left back for Rostock, although he has made appearances at left midfield the last few weeks. I don't rate Bornstein, but would rather he play there than Lewis for this match.

Lewis is called up for his experience, and he has played well for Derby (agreed that's not saying a great deal). I have no problem with his inclusion, but would question another start.

Donovan continues to be the most divisive player in the eyes of U.S. supporters. Interestingly, a mate of mine who supports Blackburn rates him very highly.

If Donovan gets another chance to move to Europe he needs to take it. However, he is the best player for the team, and his selection is justified. That does not mean he should be guaranteed a start at every occasion for the U.S. I would like to see him at right wing, but he will likely start playing off Dempsey uptop.

Bobby Convey just recovered from yet another injury, so no surprise at his omission.

Jeremiah White has been playing well for AGF in the Danish league, surprised he was not named in one of four the additional spots.

Califf, I don't rate, but at least he has experience to provide depth.

Outside of Conrad I just don't see four players remaining in the MLS currently available that warrant a callup. Rolfe and EJ may make appearances in camp again.