Final World Cup roster named for USA

Coach Bob Bradley named his final 23 man World Cup roster today cutting seven players from his initial 30 man training camp squad.  The surprises have to be two players that were not even on the radar just a few months ago in forwards Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez.  The Charlie Davies injury along with some stellar play in their professional leagues opened the door for the two players to make the World Cup team.  Edson Buddle has been tearing up the MLS in the early season while Gomez scored goals in Mexico. 

Forwards Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson were let go from the team.   Somewhat surprising as Ching was expected to make the squad, but has been hampered by injuries of late.  The move definitely suggests a move away from the target forward system of the past with Ching up top and signals a move to putting more speed up top.

Midfielders Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley and defender Steve Cherundolo will be playing in their third World Cup.  Beasley played well yesterday against the Czech Republic and capped a comeback from being well out of the graces of Bradley.  I was hoping Robbie Rogers would make the squad as I think he gives the team good pace and crossing, but outside mid is definitely a position of strength for the US team with Dempsey, Donovan, Holden and Beasley out there.

Expect a very strong team to take the field Saturday as the Americans play Turkey in their final match before heading to South Africa.

The US World Cup roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico).