<div style="width: 170px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a title="Strategy by C.A.M.Stephens, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abstractmk/5455375439/"> 
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5455375439_2d0868596a_m.jpg" alt="Strategy" width="160" height="240"></figure></div></a>Photo by C.A.M. Stephans</div>
By now you have probably heard the Bob Bradley deadline of May 23 to announce his call-ups for the U.S. National Team. This is a critical call-up, as not only will these players play in the 2011 Gold Cup but also in the friendly versus Spain. &nbsp;As such, Bob Bradley will likely go the opposite of Camp Cupcake and take a veteran lineup to Foxborough.
But should he? &nbsp;What should be the goals of the US Men’s National Team, June 2011 edition? &nbsp;I’d argue the following should be the goals of Bob Bradley’s squad, in this order:
<ol>
<li>Win the Gold Cup and punch the ticket to the Confederations Cup</li>
<li>Begin finding the players for the 2014 World Cup</li>
<li>Not embarrass the country in the Spain match</li>
</ol>
In order to do this, Bob Bradley should bring a mix of veterans and up-and-comers, and in the process take a few gambles with this team. &nbsp;Here are my suggestions by position for Coach Bradley, as well as a few predictions of who he will actually bring. &nbsp;Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section:

Keepers He Should Bring: Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, and Bill Hamid
Keepers He Will Bring: Howard, Hahnemannn, and David Yeldell
Until he proves otherwise, Tim Howard is the #1 keeper for this team and that will not change during the World Cup. The #2 keeper should be someone with experience who can step in during an emergency, so Hahnemann fits that profile as he transitions from Europe to MLS. &nbsp;Brad Guzan is seemingly on the outs with Bradley plus scheduled his wedding for the end of this month. &nbsp;Bradley could go with David Yeldell to continue the German connection but could again give Dominic Cervi a chance to earn a place on the team, despite the fact he can’t even get a start for his club team. &nbsp;One day Howard will be too old to play for this team, and the US needs to begin planning for that now. &nbsp;The final spot should go to a young stud who should begin to be groomed to be the next Tim Howard; the two MLS candidates right now are Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid, with Hamid getting the call due to having a better season so far.
Defenders He Should Bring: (starters) Tim Chandler, Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, (bench) Steve Cherundolo, Zak Whitbread, Tim Ream, Jonathan Bornstein, Chad Marshall
Defenders He Will Bring: (starters) Cherundolo, Goodson, Onyewu, Bocanegra, (bench) Chandler, Bornstein, Ream, Whitbread, Eric Lichaj
The backline is up in the air, but you can bet Bradley will go conservative here. &nbsp;The U.S.’s biggest problem has been conceding early goals, so Bradley will likely thwart this by throwing out a veteran lineup. &nbsp;My thought is that the Gold Cup is put up or shut up time for two U.S. defenders – Tim Chandler and Gooch. &nbsp;Gooch is coming back from injury and it’s time to see if he can be an international starting defender before 2014 qualification. &nbsp;Tim Chandler took the soccer scene by storm with a good showing against Paraguay; now’s a good time to see if he can maintain the hype.
Midfielders He Should Bring: (4-2-3-1) Michael Bradley, Jonathan Spector, Landon Donovan, Mikkel Diskerud, Clint Dempsey, (bench) Benny Feilhaber, Brek Shea, Alejandro Bedoya
Midfielders He Will Bring: (4-4-2) Donovan, Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Dempsey, (bench) Edu, Feilhaber, Bedoya, Jonathan Spector
I have always been a believer in the U.S. playing with 5 midfielders, with Bradley and Spector alternating between making advancing runs and playing back in the holding role. &nbsp;Donovan and Dempsey are locks to start but the U.S. needs someone with vision and talent to make the right pass to get the wings and forward the ball in scoring chances. &nbsp;Although young, Diskerud has shown flashes of this ability and he should get a chance now. &nbsp;If nothing else, a call-up binds him to the U.S. &nbsp;On the bench, Brek Shea has shown the ability to be a world class midfielder, with FC Dallas’ recent good run of form showing how good Shea can be. &nbsp;Bradley, however, will probably fall back into the comfortable 4-4-2 and keep his standards in the midfield. &nbsp;The bench for Bradley will also be experienced, with players we’ve seen before who have specific talents for specific scenarios.
Forwards He Should Bring: Teal Bunbury, Jozy Altidore, Chris Wondolowski
Forwards He Will Bring: Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Herculez Gomez
Let’s be ambitious. &nbsp;If Bradley plays a 4-2-3-1, he needs a lone striker type, something Altidore is not. &nbsp;He is talented enough to make the team, but he needs a second forward up front with him. &nbsp;Agudelo could be that guy, but he is in danger of over-exposure and over-use this year. &nbsp;Let’s see if Bunbury is as good internationally or better than Agudelo. &nbsp;In the same vein, let’s give Chris Wondolowski one more chance. &nbsp;The guy can score in MLS, so let’s see if he can do the same for the national team.

Here is Who Should Really Make the Gold Cup Team

Here is Who Should Really Make the Gold Cup Team - World Soccer Talk

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! &nbsp;With the Egyptian friendly canceled, it was a slow week in American soccer. &nbsp;MLS clubs are playing pre-season matches against youth clubs, colleges, and each other, and the season is less than one month away. &nbsp;Besides the schedule release last week, here are some other news items flying under the radar:
<ul>
<li>Real Salt Lake were the big winners this weekend as they acquired former Wake Forest striker Cody Arnoux in an MLS weighted lottery. &nbsp;Arnoux scored over 30 goals in his collegiate career and went overseas after graduation, playing for the Everton youth team and a bit in Scotland before spending last season with Vancouver. &nbsp;Because he was previously approached by MLS to sign before leaving for Europe, the contract he signed with Vancouver this offseason was voided, and he was placed in a weighted lottery. &nbsp;RSL may try and trade him to Vancouver, but if they keep him they could have a nice steal as Arnoux has some potential.</li>
<li>American international Eric Lichaj, who has not played for Aston Villa since December, was sent on a four-month loan to<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/9392812.stm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> historic Leeds United</a> in the English second division. &nbsp;Leeds is battling for promotion and the chance to receive regular playing time on a good club can only help the rising American star.</li>
<li>Speaking of American internationals, Stuart Holden continues to impress in England. &nbsp;His free kick in the tenth minute led to Bolton’s first goal and he had a goal &nbsp;wrongly waived off at the end of the match. &nbsp;Holden is really asserting himself in England and making the case for playing time on the national team.</li>
<li>Fellow American international Jozy Altidore looked good in his Turkish debut; check out his moves in the video above. &nbsp;Bursaspor grabbed a 1-1 draw with Eskisehispor K.</li>
<li>In sad news, former first round draft pick Bright Dike will likely miss most of the season with a torn Achilles. &nbsp;The 23 year-old had signed with Portland and hurt himself in a preseason match. &nbsp;Too bad for a guy trying to live up to his draft status.</li>
</ul>

Week in Review: February 8-13, 2011

Week in Review: February 8-13, 2011 - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_263" style="width: 288px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jozy-altidore.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-263" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-263 " src="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jozy-altidore.jpg" alt="" width="278" height="358"></figure></div></a>Can Jozy&apos;s move help his USMNT career?</div>
While the MLS transfer window is still open for another three months, the international transfer window closed Monday.&nbsp; If you are a fan of an international league, you know how crazy this January transfer window was with money and players being tossed about in a dizzying fashion.&nbsp; And while no American got over £70 million like Fernando Torres did, some name American players moved to a new location that could alter their club and international careers.
Rather than do a plain list, I divided the transfer and thoughts into a couple of different categories.&nbsp; Agree or disagree?&nbsp; Don’t by shy in the comments section.
Best transfer for both an American player and the new club
Michael Bradley moving to Aston Villa was a huge move this week and one that should pay immediate benefits for both parties.&nbsp; Bradley will immediately compete for playing time in Gerard Houllier’s club, and while it is not a guarantee he will start over fellow newby Jean Makoun and other current starters, playing with players like Darren Bent against some of the best clubs in the world can only help his development.&nbsp; Aston Villa will also benefit by having another midfield option who can score, plus quietly the club is becoming very American friendly.&nbsp; Bradley will join fellow American internationals Brad Guzan, Brad Friedel, and Eric Lichaj.&nbsp; If the loan deal works, Villa has the option to purchase his contract.

Best transfer for both an American player and the old club
At first, Jozy Altidore’s loan deal to Bursaspor in Turkey seems like a major step back; after all, he is leaving La Liga for a second-rate (at best) European league.&nbsp; But this move is a good one for Altidore and Villareal.&nbsp; For the past few years we have heard about Altidore’s amazing potential but have seen little actual playing time to back it up.&nbsp; Behind Giuseppe Rossi in Spain, a move to Turkey actually will give Altidore playing time in a competitive league.&nbsp; Finally Villareal can see if Altidore is worth holding on to, and Altidore can see if he is ready for top-flight competition as well as gain international experience.&nbsp; While Turkey is not the EPL or La Liga, the level of competition is good and the league is known for being a tough place for away fixtures, something that will make him mentally tough.
Worst move to resurrect a career
It’s been discussed ad naseum, but when will Freddy Adu realize that MLS has playing time for him?&nbsp; The itinerant American, whose rights are still owned by Benfica, signed with Çaykur Rizespor through the end of the season.&nbsp; The Turkish club is not Bursaspor; it is in Turkey’s second division.&nbsp; While I do not follow Turkish soccer on a regular occasion, it is hard to believe the competition is that much higher than MLS.&nbsp; Maybe Benfica didn’t want to send him to the states, but whatever the reason this may condemn the former up-and-comer to ignored status.
Best transfer window signing you don’t know about yet
We all know about the current and former national team Americans who moved this month, but one American may be positioning himself to boost his career immensely.&nbsp; Former D.C. United youth academy product <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2011/01/off_the_us_soccer_radar_silver.html#more" target="_blank">Erik Opsahl signed last week</a> with English second-tier club Reading, the same club that once employed Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey.&nbsp; Opsahl played high school soccer in Maryland and a year of college soccer at St. Johns, but was seeking international opportunities to advance his career.&nbsp; While he will start out playing for the reserves, he already has a work permit so he does not have to hassle with visa issues and could be poised for playing time with the senior squad.&nbsp; Remember this name; he could be the next surprise Bob Bradley call-up.
Biggest transfer news I didn’t care much about
I should probably be more excited about this, but Eddie Johnson went out on loan from Fulham to Preston North End, an English second-tier club looking to avoid relegation and in need of some goals.&nbsp; Johnson wasn’t getting playing time at Fulham (one start in ’10-’11) so now he has the chance for some regular minutes.&nbsp; But this move just didn’t interest me; maybe I have Agudelo-fever or don’t recognize Johnson’s contributions to the national team, but when I saw this move I shrugged my shoulders and moved on.
Earlier transfers discussed but needing one final thought
Carlos Bocanegra seems to really be establishing himself in France, and the move to Saint-Etienne seems lateral, but I would love to see him more often on TV so I could appreciate his talent.&nbsp; So his transfer while not professionally disappointing is personally disappointing.&nbsp; Gooch’s move to FC Twente has been discussed in depth, but I hope this move works out for him or serious questions are going to be raised about his international future.

Americans Caught Up in Transfer Whirlwind

Americans Caught Up in Transfer Whirlwind - World Soccer Talk

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Here is Who Should Really Make the Gold Cup Team

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Week in Review: February 8-13, 2011

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Americans Caught Up in Transfer Whirlwind