So much for getting some big-time experience for the guys who really need it. I know Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley, who have looked good against the minnows of CONCACAF, could use the practice against some top flight competition. I just hope that the loaded Argentine side goes easy on the boys in red, white, and blue (or blue and white pinstripes). What was point of accepting the invitation to play in the Copa America again?

Here's the roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany)


Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Bobby Boswell (D.C.), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK, Denmark), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Drew Moor (Dallas), Heath Pearce (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Marvell Wynne (Toronto)


Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Colorado), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburg SV, Germany), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago), Lee Nguyen (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Ben Olsen (D.C.)


Forwards: Charlie Davies (Hammarby, Sweden), Herculez Gomez (Colorado), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City), Taylor Twellman (New England)

Link: U.S. roster has young look for upcoming Copa America

Looking at that roster, I think the midfield of Nguyen, Mapp, Clark, Feilhaber, and Kljestan should do okay. The defense has some decent experience with Conrad, Bornstein, and DeMerit. If Keller's on, goaltending shouldn't be a big problem. I'm most concerned about the attackers--Twellman and Johnson haven't been impressive despite getting some good feeds from Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley.

That's a pretty questionable group of forwards. I can't stand to watch Eddie Johnson.. good speed but has NO killer instinct. However, I've been impressed with Twellman.

There are 3 players I really like from the Arena days that I haven't seen yet under the new coach: Cherundolo (defender), Bobby Convey and John Obrien (midfielders). I don't understand why these guys aren't fixtures on the team. Maybe injury.. O'brien always had injury issues.

I've never seen Charlie Davies or Hercules Gomez play.. Are these guys any good?

NC-Puma wrote:

That's a pretty questionable group of forwards. I can't stand to watch Eddie Johnson.. good speed but has NO killer instinct. However, I've been impressed with Twellman.

There are 3 players I really like from the Arena days that I haven't seen yet under the new coach: Cherundolo (defender), Bobby Convey and John Obrien (midfielders). I don't understand why these guys aren't fixtures on the team. Maybe injury.. O'brien always had injury issues.

I don't know what Johnson's deal is. He looked good in his USMNT debut against Panama a few years back, but lately he just doesn't seem like national team material. I'll agree that Twellman looks okay, but he's almost interchangable with Ching, who hasn't exactly impressed either. I guess both those guys' problem is that they have to fill the shoes of Brian McBride, probably the best big forward in US history.

Anyway, I've seen Cherundolo around Bradley squads but not lately, so I suspect he may be injured--there's no way Bradley could be willing keeping him off squads because he's solid at right back. I'm pretty sure Convey is still nursing the season ending injury for earlier in Reading's season. And as for O'Brien--man the guy can play. Had a great '02 World Cup, and Donovan called him the best player on the team heading in to the '06 Cup. It's a pity he's had "China doll" syndrome of late. I don't know what he's up to--you don't ever here his name mentioned.

The Copa America roster is okay. I don't really like the goalie options. Keller played okay in the Gold Cup but he looked shakey. Guzan I don't like, hopefully he'll prove me wrong. Fowards look good if Johnson could get it together. Midfielders look good. The defenders should be okay. The Copa America is a strong test. Excited to see how we do. Can't wait for Thursday.

soccer is lame!!!!!!!!