Bradley announces roster for US-Ecuador

US national team coach Bob Bradley has named his 24-man roster for the team's upcoming friendlies against Ecuador (March 25th) and Guatemala (March 28th).

Veterans such as Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo and DaMarcus Beasley are included, as are rather interesting inclusions such as Michael Bradley, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Spector, Benny Feilhaber and Frank Simek. We also have the return of Kasey Keller to the fold.

Here is the full list:

Goalkeepers (3) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Defenders (8) –Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Jay Demerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Newcastle United), Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjælland), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

Midfielders (7) – DaMarcus Beasley (Manchester City), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Brian Carroll (D.C. United), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire)

Forwards (6) – Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas Cit y Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)

Comments

[Trex]

I love this call-up! Bradley is growing on me.

[James in L.A.]

I like this roster - been waiting for it for some time! Let's see what the boys can do. I really like the inclusion of DeMerit, Pearce, Cooper and Mapp and it will be interesting to see what Bradley and Feilhaber can do.

[nutmegger]

The absence of Euro-based players in our group of forwards is striking.

NM

[Jim]

I don't think any old Metrostar fans will be surprised that Mikey made the team. We've been accusing Bradley of neopotism since day one of his tenure as our coach. Having said that, I personally think the kids got some great skills, so I don't mind that dad is helping push his career.

[mosler]

Anyone who feels that the younger Bradley has done less than Simek or Demerit or Feilhaber to earn this call up just has an axe to grind.

I love this roster. Together with the Denmark and Mexico games, this will give the staff a great look at most of the US pool players.

Of all the young euro talent I'd be happy if 1 or 2 really made an impact.

[ag nigrin]

I agree with Nutmegger.. we are real thin up front.. wish McBride would re-consider his retirement from the USMNT. We could use his leadership and experience. That said I also
like those chosen by BBradley.
Let's see what they can do against Ecuador and Guatemala.
Go USA!

[Chatnoir]

I'll be the 1st to say who I'd like to see together on the pitch...

Donovan Twellman

Beasley Feilhaber Dempsey

Clark

Bocanegra Onyewu Conrad Spector
Howard

If attack can coordinate, could be a good 11.

[CRSvideo]

I find it interesting that there're no old guard members brought in for the dmid spot. Looks like Clark is going to be the man.

[nick]

I'm not crazy about the suggested lineup.

First, I don't see Donovan with Twellman as a very effective tandem up front. It seems good on paper but every time its been tried it just doesn't gell. The US needs a strong target man up front and you have to take a look at Cooper or Ching first as Donovan's partner.

Also, I just can't see Beasley getting the call. His form of late has been terrible for Man City. Frankly he has had a rather down year or two. Same can be said for Eddie Johnson.

I like Justin Mapp at that left wing slot.

[JRNail]

The moment this list came out, I headed straight for the xbox to put the team together for a few matches against Ecuador on FIFA 07... I ended up playing a 4-1-2-1-2, as it seems like that's the best alignment for this group of players. We don't really have 2 true CM's, so we end up with Clark at CDM and probably Donovan at CAM, with Dempsey & Beasley on the wings, and Twellman and whoever at the forwards. I kinda like Johnson up top with Twellman, purely because of that infusion of EJ's speed. Ching and Cooper both have a good physical presence up there, but I'd be wary of pairing them up with Twellman, since I'd like to see at least one guy up top with some real speed.
Also, I know we'd probably prefer to have Landon looking to attack rather than be a playmaker for others, but unless Dempsey can be productive at CAM and perhaps Mapp can fill in at RM, we may have to keep him out on the wing (that does seem to be where he's getting the most playing time these days anyway).

[the metrologist]

"I don't think any old Metrostar fans will be surprised that Mikey made the team. We've been accusing Bradley of neopotism since day one of his tenure as our coach."

Who is this "we" you're talking about?

A small circle of best-ignored brain damage victims accused Bradley of nepotism, but that's about all.

[Wamiq]

I like this roster. I'm really looking forward to seeing which young kids might be able to contribute this summer. I would have liked to have seen Johann Smith called in, but maybe there's some issue with him that I'm not aware of.

I don't think at this point that there's anyone who doubts that little Bradley has earned a chance get looked at seriously.

[Dannyc58]

Chris Rolfe, LOL.

[nutmegger]

I wasn't so much remarking that we are thin up top, as I was remarking that our program has yet to produce a forward (other than McBride and now Wolff - who is injured I believe) who has been able to cross the Atlantic. And if in four years we don't have one of this crew, or another forward playing in a top tier Euro league somewhere, we are likely going to have to settle for another 1/4-final finish at best. NM

[Tim]

I'm surprised not to see Mastroeni selected. Ives, any insight into this?

[Christian]

Chatnoir,

Holy Geez!! I really like the lineup you came up with... I do agree with Nick, however that Coop could/would be a better option up front and it's a combo I think we should start putting to the test.
One of the things I like best about your lineup is, not only do I think it's pretty talented, but the average outfield player's age is 24.something! Getting our core (and young)group gelled and weathered for the next few years, and with Adu, Altidore, Wynne, Bradley, Smith, et al. in the pipeline... it's making me giddy. I know, we've come a long way from the Dooley days, but don't get ahead of ourselves...

[john]

It is quite unbelievable that anyone could watch the Bradley bunch and say that they were well coached. Just look at what the positioning did for the team last world cup. The US only switched the ball a couple of times in the last friendly. Starting his son. He did drift from the center of the field a couple of times. The other players would not pass him the ball for 1 reason -- he was not a national level player. There are several College Div 1 mids that are a whole lot better than Bradley. It is easy to "play good" when not in the game. IF this had happened in Europe -- can you say coach fired!!! There are a lot of players that are not in their natural position. AND what is this crap about calling Beasley over and have him sit on the bench. The team's positioning alone will preclude the team from doing well in the world cup. A top 10 club team is better positioned -- Memphis Futbal Club. WE NEED A WORLD CLASS COACH. At least Bradley did not to invite Eddie A to camp. He did better than that -- his son!!! But his son will never be good enough to play in Europe and may be not in the MLS... It is very embarrassing to see the "player" Bradley even on the field... he'd get killed against a better team. The last coaching US National team was not very good -- why invite some one that was apart of it back... 3-0 does not mean that the Coach is any good. Watching the games will indicate otherwise. You think Bradley could ever get a European coaching job -- NO...