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Getting Defensive: A Look at The Probable U.S. Backline in South Africa
Published: April 12, 2010
This week, we move up the field and review the likely starters, bench players, and decisions Bob Bradley will have to make ahead of the World Cup.
The first question is, how many defenders should he take, seven or eight?
The conservative answer here (and Bradley is a conservative manager) is to bring eight defenders. However, the U.S. is blessed with many talented midfielders and Bradley will be tempted to bring at least eight and possibly nine midfielders.
Add in the fact that Maurice Edu, a central midfield, has some experience playing central defender (U.S. Olympics in Beijing) that Bradley may feel he has enough cover at defender and only bring seven actual defenders to South Africa.
The second question is, who is a lock to go to South Africa?
To answer this question, we have to look at who the usual suspects are, but also form and health.
Captain Carlos Bocanegra is a lock, as is Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, and Jonathan Bornstein.
With the exception of Onyewu, all of the above players are getting regular minutes and are healthy. It is uncertain when Onyewu will see the field again for AC Milan, but U.S. fans have their fingers crossed that his recovery is going well and he will play some before the club season is over.
With six players as locks, Bradley will choose one or two more defenders to round out his roster.
He needs another central defender, and that's where Clarence Goodson comes in. Goodson has been playing solidly for both country and club, and he's an easy selection for Bradley to make.
If Bradley opts for an eighth defender, signs point to either Heath Pearce or Frank Simek to get the nod.
Pearce played well in the friendly against the Netherlands, wh...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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