Players to watch for the World Cup squad in MLS Season '09

[Harper916]

This is a big year for anyone in MLS who's not already a regular on the national team, but has a realistic chance to break through before the World Cup. With this being the final full season before the 2010 World Cup, these guys are going to have to step up big and show Bob that they deserve a chance, whether it's in one of the summer tournaments, one of the final World Cup Qualifiers(assuming we qualify early), or some friendlies in later '09/early '10, this season is huge for them.

I thought I'd take a look at a few guys in MLS to keep an eye on. With a big season these guys could push themselves into strong consideration for a spot on the World Cup squad. These are just a few that I look forward to watching this year. Some are already close to breaking through and some still have a lot of work to do. Times running out and this season is crucial.

Forwards:

Kenny Cooper Jr.(FC Dallas)- There's no doubting Kenny has a ton of talent and after the 2008 season many people expected(hoped) for Kenny to be a regular for the national team at a position we are not very deep at. He's not quite there yet, but if he can continue to put up strong numbers for Dallas he'll get his chance.

Chris Rolfe(Chicago Fire)- In my opinion I think Rolfe's talents are wasted on the right side of midfield were he mostly played last year for the Fire. I would love to see what he could do with a full season up top with McBride. He's got a great touch and a wicked shot and I look forward to watching him play this year.

Edson Buddle(LA Galaxy)- He's always had talent but could never really put it together for a full season. Last year was his best and if LA can keep LD and Becks, and continue to improve their squad, I think Buddle could put together another strong season. If he can start the season off with a bang will Bob give him a chance at the Gold Cup? I'll admit that I've always been a fan of his and if he can continue scoring I hope he gets a chance.

Midfielders:

Stuart Holden(Houston Dynamo)- With DeRosario off to TFC, Holden has a great chance to show that he can lead the Dynamo attack. He has some big shoes to fill, but I'll be looking forward to see if he can do it.

Colin Clark(Colorado Rapids)- With Beasley's recent performance against Mexico and Robbie Roger's best XI season in 2008, Colin has his work cut out for him. He's a quick young winger that can beat players on the dribble and put in a dangerous cross. If he can stay consistent and put up some good numbers I think he'll get his shot.

Robbie Rogers(Columbus Crew)- Barring an injury or a major drop in form, Robbie will get a good chance this summer at the Gold Cup or Confed. Cup. If Beasley continues to sit the bench at Rangers, the left mid spot could open up for Robbie. He has the talent, but he'll have to have an even better season than last year.

Eddie Gaven(Columbus Crew)- After a couple of mediocre seasons, Eddie bounced back in 2008 and helped lead the Crew to a championship season. Only 22, it seems like a decade ago that Gaven came into MLS and showed that he could be the future of the national team. With another strong season he could get a shot at the right mid spot in one of the summer tournaments.

Bobby Convey(San Jose Earthquakes)- Bobby's back in MLS and according to him he's healthy and ready to play. He's been out of the national team picture for quite a while now, but with a strong injury free season he could find himself back in the mix. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he does this year.

Defenders:

Chad Marshall(Columbus Crew)- Marshall enjoyed a defender of the year season in 2008. If he can continue his strong form and stay injury free he's pretty much a lock for one of the summer tournaments. I hope he gets a shot with the first team soon. If left back remains a problem, I wouldn't mind seeing Boca pushed out left with Marshall and Gooch in the middle.

Marvell Wynne(Toronto FC)- Right back is going to be a tough one to crack with Hejduk, and Cherundolo in front right now. He's also got competition in Simek and Spector, if they ever get, and stay, healthy. He showed a lot of promise and improvement in 2008 and another strong season will go along way if he's to make a push for the World Cup squad.

Michael Harrington(KC Wizards)- With Pearce stuck on the bench in Europe and Bornstein having an average 2008 the left spot is open for someone to step up and take it. Michael has moved around a bit for the Wizards having played in midfield and in the back, but if he can lock down the left back position and play to his potential Bob might give him a shot.

Corey Gibbs(Colorado Rapids)- If Corey can stay healthy and get back to the Corey Gibbs of old that would be a huge benefit for our back line. That may be asking too much though. Last year was Corey's first with the Rapids and while he wasn't the dominant force he needs to be yet, he finally had an injury free run of games. I'll be watching him close this season and holding out hope that Corey stays healthy and has a great year.

I know there are some other players to watch for, so I'd like to hear who everyone else is keeping an eye on this upcoming season. It's going to be an exciting year with the MLS season and all of the different games and competitions for the national team and I can't wait to see who steps up and who doesn't.

[Karl K]

Good list.

I would be guess the players with the highest probability of being in the national team mix are those who have double digit caps and experience in big games.

That leaves Convey and Gibbs.

The downside for Gibbs is that he will be 30 in 2010. In contrast, Convey will only be 27. Doesn't he seem older?

[Maximum Optimal]

Bornstein should be on the list. He is probably #2 on the left back depth chart and #1 is probably the weakest link in the current starting lineup.

In midfield Clark and Mastroeni are jostling for a backup role and their league play might determine which one makes various rosters for qualifiers and tournaments.

[Clint Eastwood]

Do to our dearth of left-sided options, we might now want to give up on Arturo Alvarez. He might have given up on us though :)

There probably will be a kid who has a great MLS season who'll enter the equation. Brek Shea? Dax McCarty? You get the idea. Hard to say right now who that might be.

[voros]

Do to our dearth of left-sided options, we might now want to give up on Arturo Alvarez. He might have given up on us though :)

Well there's Mapp too.

[Marko72]

I have a feeling the Gold Cup this summer will tell a pretty important tale about this. Most of the names I saw on that list are likely candidates for the GC roster (while most of the current A roster is probably headed to the Confed Cup in South Africa).

[appoo]

Stuart Holden(Houston Dynamo)- With DeRosario off to TFC, Holden has a great chance to show that he can lead the Dynamo attack. He has some big shoes to fill, but I'll be looking forward to see if he can do it.

Colin Clark(Colorado Rapids)- With Beasley's recent performance against Mexico and Robbie Roger's best XI season in 2008, Colin has his work cut out for him. He's a quick young winger that can beat players on the dribble and put in a dangerous cross. If he can stay consistent and put up some good numbers I think he'll get his shot.

Robbie Rogers(Columbus Crew)- Barring an injury or a major drop in form, Robbie will get a good chance this summer at the Gold Cup or Confed. Cup. If Beasley continues to sit the bench at Rangers, the left mid spot could open up for Robbie. He has the talent, but he'll have to have an even better season than last year.

Bobby Convey(San Jose Earthquakes)- Bobby's back in MLS and according to him he's healthy and ready to play. He's been out of the national team picture for quite a while now, but with a strong injury free season he could find himself back in the mix. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he does this year.

Defenders:

Chad Marshall(Columbus Crew)- Marshall enjoyed a defender of the year season in 2008. If he can continue his strong form and stay injury free he's pretty much a lock for one of the summer tournaments. I hope he gets a shot with the first team soon. If left back remains a problem, I wouldn't mind seeing Boca pushed out left with Marshall and Gooch in the middle.

Michael Harrington(KC Wizards)- With Pearce stuck on the bench in Europe and Bornstein having an average 2008 the left spot is open for someone to step up and take it. Michael has moved around a bit for the Wizards having played in midfield and in the back, but if he can lock down the left back position and play to his potential Bob might give him a shot.



These are the guys I'd watch the most.

We don't have a right wing to speak of, and at this point we know what we'll get out of Dempsey. He continues to be a man without a position and seems to play on a separate sheet of music - that's his game for better or worse. Sometimes it means coming up with a random big goal out of nothing when we desperately need one, other times it means turning the entire right side into a black hole.

I would like to see an option of the bench, that can be considered a classic winger with a right foot. That's Colin Clarke.

The left side, Beazer proved me wrong. Apparently he doesn't need club matches to be effective. As long as he's healthy, it appears he adds value to the position. However, we need someone to back him up/compete with him. Convey and Rogers look like the best bet to provide that competition.

Centrally, we have a bit more depth at the attacking position, and I don't believe Holden will ever get much of a shot at the National Team with Torres and Sacha all early in their careers, and course it still might be Donovan's best position - and that's unfortunate because I think Holden is inline for an All-XI type of year, as Houston's playmaker.

I'm of the belief that Bocanegra is simply not good enough at Central Defender. Fulham killed what was a very promising centerback and turned him into a spastic, desperate defender. I wish he stayed in MLS from a USA fan perspective.

My opinion is that both Marshall and Parkhurst should be ahead of him on the depth chart, and I think another big year from Marshall will put him in position to compete. Regardless, we need 4 CBs for the WC.

Harrington...well LB is our weakest position. Harrington has the tools.

[Rainer24]

I'm not a Boca lover, but people are bagging on the guy way too much. Perfect? No, he isn't, but he isn't as awful as some paint him to be. The guy had a poor play that almost seriously cost us against Mexico, but he was also credited with eleven clearances, by far the most in the team. He is playing at the highest level of any of our defenders, and not without reason. Like him or not, he organizes the defense. Yeah, it could be better, but we simply don't have a plethora of top class defenders.

FWIW, I'm a huge Parkhurst fan and also like Marshall, but I doubt either of them are really better players than Boca right now.

[Adam Zebrowski]

the list from above aren't gonna be starters any time soon..

at best, these guys could be roster slots 20-23 material...

rogers and bornstein and clark might well be the closest to getting on a final 23...

the caveat is, use these guys for the gold cup, and see what they can do versus concacaf level talent..

[Maximum Optimal]

Jaqua is another player that I expect to make a push for some national team playing time.

[Clint Eastwood]

I'm not a Boca lover, but people are bagging on the guy way too much. Perfect? No, he isn't, but he isn't as awful as some paint him to be. The guy had a poor play that almost seriously cost us against Mexico, but he was also credited with eleven clearances, by far the most in the team. He is playing at the highest level of any of our defenders, and not without reason. Like him or not, he organizes the defense. Yeah, it could be better, but we simply don't have a plethora of top class defenders.

FWIW, I'm a huge Parkhurst fan and also like Marshall, but I doubt either of them are really better players than Boca right now.

If there's one thing we can be certain of, it's that the trifecta of Howard/Gooch/and Boca is the plan going forward. Bob made clear in interviews that he wanted to set that group up early. Right now I don't see much reason to change it. Yes, Boca had a sub-par game against Mexico. But I thought he was great in other WCQ'ers this cycle. He was a warrior in Guatemala, etc.

Parkhurst and Marshall I just don't know enough about at the international level. Hopefully we'll get to see more from them this summer. It appears that Bob's 3rd choice CB may in fact be Danny Califf anyway. He's up and down.

[tehGEO]

That's what concerns me the most... the number of times those CBs leave Howard out to dry is shocking.

[bigredmachine]

Justin Mapp has been hit or miss so far, but if Beasley gets hurt Mapp should be considered along with Holden and Rogers. Also, if John Thorrington can make the transition to left Dback, then I think he brings a lot too.

[camasterton]

"Marvell Wynne(Toronto FC)- Right back is going to be a tough one to crack with Hejduk, and Cherundolo in front right now. He's also got competition in Simek and Spector, if they ever get, and stay, healthy. He showed a lot of promise and improvement in 2008 and another strong season will go along way if he's to make a push for the World Cup squad."

Him and ANY!! left backer out there. The thing I see in him more than the other full backs in the mix is the ability to apply offensive pressure on an opponent's defense with his pace, strength on the ball, daring and imagination. If he can add the ability to cross the ball and work on positioning, he could really open up the USMNT. It's a rarity to see a USMNT fullback add to the attack. Especially on the left with Pearce and Bornstein seemingly affraid to make a mistake (yet still doing so). There needs to be more danger from a FB (like Wynn's run v Sweden resulting in a PK) in order to open up the middle and/or put our AM & F in scoring opportunities. The obvious added benefit is keeping the opponent's wing players "honest" and less likely to only have to concentrate on offense. Gio d Santos could look good v the US in the last game because he didn't have to worry about tracking back much.

[2ndAveFC]

Can any Rapids fan let us know how Gibbs' preseason is going? I've always rooted for him and was hoping he could have gotten some time in the January camp, then he left without any explanation. Just wondering if anybody knows how he's doing these days.

[TrueCrew]

I'll take a shot, largely echoing what's already been posted...

GK: Busch, Hesmer.
D: Hejduk, Marshall, Wynne, Bornstein, Gibbs, Harrington, Hernandez, Boswell
M: Mastroeni, Rogers, Clark, Holden, Convey, Thorrington, Clark, Gaven, Mapp
F: Donovan, Cooper, Rolfe, Buddle, Casey, Barrett

I included some locks (Donovan). His performance on returning to LA could signal his NT form, so he still bears watching, even though he is a lock for the squad, whereas everyone else isn't.

[TheDoc]

Clark (Colin type) will be fun to see after a year of actual coaching.

But....

He gives up if he is having an off-day. He often gets lost out on the wing and expects the play to come to him. He doesn't play a lick of defense. He is also an ass to boot.

Just a few of his problems he needs to work on.

He has tremendous upside, but I just wish he would have had actual coaching the last few years.

[IndividualEleven]

Houston Dynamo

Ching(Center Forward) - A Bradley favorite. In.

Clark(defensive midfielder) - Not a Bradley favorite, but combination of a strong season and a strong Gold Cup should see him in. A different Nats manager would give him look in at fullback as well.

Holden(attacking midfielder) - Needed to stay healthy and show something in Camp Cupcake. The most complete attack minded central midfielder in the pool. Needs to make a big statement in the upcoming MLS season and any Nats opportunities.

Garcia(forward) - A youth Nats phenom with skills developed in the streets. Finishing high school but he's in the right program(Houston) to develop quickly and appear on the senior Nats radar.

Cameron(soccer player) - can play all positions in midfield and defense. very talented with excellent size. Needed to stay healthy in Camp Cupcake. A bubble guy at best this cycle.


Chicago

Mapp(outside midfielder) - Mapp's attacking numbers are surprisingly comparable to many of the other elite outside mids who get time with the US. Perceived lack of work-rate, fitness, and defense however needs to be overcome to have a realistic chance. Either that or putting up Cronaldo type numbers.

Rolfe(forward/winger) - My favorite US player. Bradley has given him opportunities, but the player needs to produce. Will continue to get
opportunities with 'B' teams if he's playing well
in MLS.

Thorrington(midfielder) - Not an international imo. Lacks the technique and physical tools. Made up the numbers at Camp Cupcake.

LA

Donovan(outside midfielder/forward) - a lock though hopefully he's in Europe and not LA.

Franklin(defender) - ugh. Another player I wanted to see who then got hurt at CC. Excellent pace technique, distribution. Strong for size in
central defense but projects more as fullback at international level. Too talented not to get further looks with the 'B' team.

[Sachin]

Houston Dynamo
Players snipped (see post above)

Chicago
Players snipped (see post above)

LA
Players snipped (see post above)

DC United

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[Mr. Warmth]

DC United

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