HereÆs our best guestimate at whom Coach Bruce Arena will name next week as his World Cup 23, along with whether the team is stronger or weaker at each position than in 2002. Arena's announcement will be televised, Tuesday, May 2, live at 6 pm ET/3 pm. PT on ESPNÆs SportsCenter.
By Ridge Mahoney
GOALKEEPERS (3): The three Euros, case dismissed. Kasey Keller starts, Marcus Hahnemann is the backup, Tim Howard is the starter-in-waiting.
Verdict: Slightly weaker, since Keller is quite good but Brad Friedel was awesome four years ago.
DEFENDERS (8): Eddie Pope is the leader and in his stead Gregg Berhalter, never mind his gaffes against Germany, reprises his 2002 selection. But Oguchi Oneywu is the best partner in the middle with Pope. Backups centrally are Cory Gibbs and Carlos Bocanegra, both of whom can also play left back, where the first choice is Eddie Lewis.
Right back belongs to Steve Cherundolo, backing him up is Frankie Hejduk, who is also an option on the left. In a pinch, Cherundolo can play defensive mid.
Verdict: Stronger, yet Cherundolo needs to peak at the right time, as Tony Sanneh did in 2002.
Just missed: Chris Albright and Jonathan Spector (injured), with a grateful nod to Jimmy Conrad for a job well done. Kudos, too, to Todd Dunivant.
MIDFIELDERS (7): There are two good choices on the left with Bobby Convey and DaMarcus Beasley, lots of fitness concerns otherwise.
A steady, healthy central pairing of John OÆBrien and Claudio Reyna would enable a lot of other pieces to fit snugly. Clint Dempsey is likely to be deployed tucked in rather than out wide. Pablo Mastroeni gives cover in the middle, as does Ben Olsen.
Verdict: Slightly stronger, but only if they stay healthy.
Just missed: For Steve Ralston and Kerry Zavagnin and Chris Klein and Pat Noonan, see Jimmy Conrad. For Santino Quaranta, well, fitness counts. For Brian Carroll, stay the course.
FORWARDS (4): Brian McBride is the warrior king, and could use some muscle and bustle from Eddie Johnson to ease the burden. Taylor Twellman has yet to prove he's capable against the top nations but heÆll get his chance. Josh Wolff is probably destined to play right mid, at least much of the time, which would give the U.S. frightening pace on the flanks.
Verdict: Slightly stronger, assuming McBride holds up and Johnson shows up.
Just missed: Brian Ching, so close, deserved better.
DONOVAN (1): So much blather about what position suits him best misses the point that ArenaÆs approach is utterly different: If there isnÆt sufficient skill and savvy and bite in midfield, thatÆs where Landon Donovan plays. If midfield is set, Lando goes up top. Duh.
Verdict: Stronger, since although heÆs just one guy, he is THE guy, and oodles better than he was four years ago.