I've followed the US team for decades, and this is the first time when, on paper, they actually match up well with their World Cup opponents. The English team is still the clear favorite, but neither Slovenia nor Algeria have much World Cup experience. Both countries possess players with top-club pedigree and no doubt they'll exhibit the skill we've come to expect from European and African nations. Yet, the US team is battle-tested. Most of the starters are entering their 2nd or 3rd World Cup. That experience edge will help. And I should also mention the US team won't be under any tangible domestic pressure. Sure, US fans want their team to desperately win, but it's certainly not comparable to the pressures faced by the Brazilians, the British, or Portuguese.
Of course, the US team is nothing if not unpredictable. With their rash of defensive injuries and inconsistent recent showings, it's a complete mystery which US team will actually show up. After the most recent drubbing of Australia (a rather non-entity of a game, by the way, since both teams played not-to-get-hurt), I divided the US team into two camps - those who are ready for prime time and those who aren't.
Ready for Prime Time
Bocanegra
Cherundolo
Michael Bradley
Dempsey
Edu
Holden
Jose Torres
Altidore
Donovan
(and all three goalkeepers)
Not Ready for Prime Time
Bornstein
DeMerit
Goodson
Onyewu
Spector
Beasley
Clark
Feilhaber
On the Bubble
Buddle
Findley
Gomez
I was impressed and unimpressed with Buddle, Findley, and Gomez over the last three games. Yet, they showed enough that they may be ready for their close up. As for the fellows on the not-ready list, I do like many of those players. I hope most develop into top talent (Spector, for example), but I just don't think they're ready. The more playing time they receive, the less chance the US will have of actually winning. Onyewu was once a force, but he's nowhere close to 100%, despite the reports. On his best day, he'd struggle to fend off the British attack. How's he supposed to fair coming off a 9 month layoff? That's Coach Bradley's dilemma.
I've only got two defenders on the "ready" list, so some of the "not-ready" guys are going to play. I could stomach Onyewu due to the lack of other options. Same with DeMerit. He's spent all his career in England and should be unphased by the opposition. I could also stomach Beasley as a late-game sub, if the US is nursing a lead.
My starting eleven:
Altidore / Buddle
Donovan / Torres / Bradley / Dempsey
Boca / Onyewu / DeMerit / Cherundolo
Howard
If the strikers are struggling, I sub Holden for Buddle, and move Dempsey into Buddle's spot. Hercules Gomez could also provide some offensive spark off the bench. Other than that, I don't veer too much from the starting eleven.
If Coach Bradley holds to form, he'll likely use Clark instead of Torres, which greatly inhibits the US's ability to hold the ball. He'll also find a way to get Jonathan Bornstein into the game. With the way that young man has struggled lately, that's a ginormous gamble. Here's hoping Bradley proves me wrong.
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