[Sam Hamwich]

While Bradley has done a very good job of bringing in certain players into the USMNT for training, it seems that the Gooch and Davies injuries have left him flat footed in response.

While it is clear he wants to maintain consistency and overall chemistry of the team, sometimes fundamental changes (injuries to most influential striker and defender) require equally fundamental solutions.

At first blush I would say neither Davies or Gooch should be available for the WC. I would make that hard decision right up front. Gooch might provide some playing time, but you want to be gaining momentum as a team going in, not worrying about the core of your defense.

The other hard decision I would make right now is that as a team, I seriously doubt we could win another Gold Cup much less make the breakout rounds at the WC with the current squad.

After careful consideration, I would like to see the following changes made:

1. Bring in the other Galaxy Duo: Gonzalez and Franklin. I would put Gonzalez in as a replacement for Gooch. I would move Spector to the right and I would try Franklin on the left. If Franklin on the left did not work then I would put Cherundolo on the left.

I know all the arguments against bringing someone in this late in the game, but two things are evident: 1. Gonzalez has won everywhere he has gone, and 2. he is coached by Arena. I still hold Arena in very high regard and it is telling that his biggest mistake was not playing enough young players in Germany and here he has a rookie anchoring his defense. Same goes for Franklin. The upside to these two is better than everyone else in the pool. DeMeritt is hurt and Conrad I would keep as a backup. Bornstein is a liability on defense.

2. The loss of Davies might be the biggest blow to the US. It would only be worse if Landon were lost. He is not good 1 on 1. I dont think he scared any defense with his skill. But his pace and ability to either make the right pass or poach on goal were terrific. We will not be able to replace him, which means we will need to change how we play. Without his speed the US really has no counterattack and unless we bring Beez back and pair him with Jozy we wont have anyone who pairs well with Jozy (adu anyone?)

Since I dont see that happening, I would take Feilhaber out of the line-up and put any combination of Edu/Torres/Jones/Clark to pair with the Son.

If we can throw away any pretense at offensive football, become airtight with our back line that is build around physical dominance in the center and crossing ability on the wings (along with marginal speed). Then we have a good shot at putting Landon, Dempsey, Jozy, Holden, Ching on goal maybe 3 to 5 times per game. Cant ask for much more at this point.

[Spry]

Agree with the pretense that we're in a pickle and some positions are wide open at the moment. But defense, with a left back caveat isn't one of them. Living in SCAL I have the luxury of watching Gonzales and Franklin every week. Quite simply, Gonzales, as good as he's been at times, isn't ready for for it.

Franklin might be able to make the grade but we've got more experience better options. Morover, Franklin is at his weekest on the left side. He's a competent central defender and has looked dangerous on the right, but as long as Cherundolo and Spector stay healthy, we wouldn't see too much of him. Not a bad pick for some depth. He is the kind of dynamic defenseman coventional wisdom calls to bear.

[superdave]

I agree with Spry. I like both those players, especially Gonzo, but Chad Marshall is clearly a better player at this point in time.

[TheGreat 4-5-1]

Wow. First off, Onyewu will be back for the WC. Second, our counterattack looks still looks quite strong. Donovan should pinch in, and Castillo should be bolting down the flank. The addition of Jones will help to cover for Castillo's defensive inconsistencies. To me, this is clearly our best option:

-------Altidore------
--------------Dempsey
---Donovan------------Holden
------Jones----Bradley
Castillo-Boca-Onyewu-Cherundolo

[Mullet&Talon]

Thoughtful analysis, but why do you include Jones in your midfield when there is little chance he will be on the team. Gooch has a better chance of making the 23 right now than Jones does. Jones will basically have no opportunity to play or train with the Nats until the World Cup itself. Why in God's name would you take a player to SA based on year old club form when he hasn't even met the rest of the team?

[turkas]

Originally Posted by Mullet&Talon

Thoughtful analysis, but why do you include Jones in your midfield when there is little chance he will be on the team. Gooch has a better chance of making the 23 right now than Jones does. Jones will basically have no opportunity to play or train with the Nats until the World Cup itself. Why in God's name would you take a player to SA based on year old club form when he hasn't even met the rest of the team?

Did you forget about the large amount of friendlies we will have next year? Even if he can't go, Clark is very serviceable as a DM.

[Clint Eastwood]

Originally Posted by turkas

Did you forget about the large amount of friendlies we will have next year? Even if he can't go, Clark is very serviceable as a DM.

This large amount of friendlies...........what are they? There's one FIFA match day in the spring (March) and that's it. That's when we've got our Holland match. Now maybe the US will schedule some games on non-FIFA dates, but there's no gaurantee Jones would be made available for those by Schalke. Jones won't be available for the January camp and friendly (and probably wouldn't play if he was).

We've got a guy who hasn't played in a year, has just had a plate removed in his leg (which he needed.......that's why it was there)...........and may have played very few club games at the end of the 09-10 club season. He may be named to our roster.......but he also might have 1 or 2 games to prove that he's better than other options. Count me as somebody who thinks a 100% Torres can outplay a 75% Jones.

At least Gonzalez (who looked awful in the one playoff game of theirs I watched this post-season against Chivas. I mean.......god-awful. Biblical incompetence).........has camp cupcake to demostrate his worth to Bob and his staff. Jones doesn't have that, and for me.......reputation isn't enough. You've got to prove on the field that you're better than the other options. And Jones simply isn't going to have many games to do that in.

[lmorin]

This is downright silly and simply wishful thinking. Both Gonzalez and Franklin are good candidates for the future. So is DeLaGarza. But not now. They are decent by MLS standards; they are raw and naive by international standards. Moreover, the Nats have decent substitute strength for Onyewu, assuming your premise is right and he can't make the final grade. As for Davies, that hole in the lineup is a legit problem and there is no obvious fix. Except for working out combinations of already well known players. My choice would be Dempsey and Altidore as forwards (Holden on the right). But that has its own drawbacks, the biggest being whether Altidore will turn the corner or continue in his current regressive direction.

[MtMike]

to say he was flat footed is a bit unfair. I don't know too many coaches that would be able to immediately sprinkle pixie dust and replace two of our best players, both lost within 24 hours of each other.

[Scott e Dio93]

More friendlies against style play and systems from teams.

Try play at least against 5 elite teams.

Even in defeat, we could learn like 2002.