There are still question marks surrounding the US national team callup. Let's be honest, Bob Bradley picked the best men available to him. The team has a collective mentality that is very strong. But mentality can only take you so far. The callup stirs mixed emotions, but overall you have to give it a passing grade -- for now.
Forwards
There was not question in anyone's mind that Herculez Gómez deserved to be on Bradley's 23-man list. The first American to do that in a top-tier league like Mexico shows that the former LA Galaxy man is the truth. He was the had-to-root-for story of this pre-World Cup process.
The same goes for Edson Buddle. The US will depend on his scoring prowess a great deal. Hope that his form in MLS translates to form at the international level. It will be a baptism under fire for the Galaxy star, and he should come out of it well.
The biggest doubt is that of Robbie Findley over Brian Ching. Jozy Altidore, although he is still young, did not get consistent playing time at Hull City, scoring only two goals this season.
Goals by US forwards:
- Herculez Gomez (Puebla) 10
Midfield
There is no doubt that the strength of the team begins and ends in the midfield. With players like Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, and of course Landon Donovan, the midfield is rock solid. They will have two play makers that saw their respective careers evolve during 2010. The big wild card would be DaMarcus Beasley. Anything that he can offer on the left will be the proverbial cherry on top.
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