Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Starters vs Guatemala?




Will fan favorite Kenny Cooper get his first taste of World Cup qualifying tomorrow against Guatemala? Most likely, but it probably won't be as a starter. With the surplus amount of forwards Bob Bradley has brought along for this qualifier, you can expect to see some disappointed fans tomorrow as not all the forwards will see the pitch in Colorado. Will the Cooper supporters go berserk if he doesn't play? You can count on it.

Another main story line to follow is Freddy Adu, who desperately needs to be on the pitch tomorrow. With his Monaco woes fresh in his mind, Adu needs some playing time. This match against a physical Guatemala team can serve as a way for the 19-year-old to not only gain some confidence back, but to also demonstrate to the coaching staff that what's going on in France is an anomaly and that he is ready to handle a bigger role come Hex time.

With that said, here's who I think Bob Bradley will field tomorrow:


----------------Ching--------Altidore---------------
Adu------------------------------------------Thorrington
--------------Kljestan--------Mastroeni---------------
Bornstein-------Gibbs-----------Parkhurst------------Moor
------------------------Guzan--------------------------

Notes:

  • Don't be too surprised if Sean Franklin gets the nod over Drew Moor at RB, especially if he's impressed during this week's training. But I'd still expect Moor to start.
  • No Kenny Cooper? Bradley didn't bring the veteran presence of a Brian Ching to be left on the bench. And Josmer Altidore is a no brainer. Cooper will most likely see minutes, but it'll probably be off the bench.
  • Expect Kljestan to maintain his role as a center midfielder along side Pablo Mastroeni as Bob Bradley saw against T&T that Sacha is not made for the right side, at least not at the international level.
  • Cory Gibbs and Jonathan Bornstein should make their comebacks to the National Team after lengthy layoffs.
  • I expect Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington to get the start at RM, as the coaching staff looks to add depth to a position that the U.S. needs help with.
Who do you think Bob Bradley will put on the pitch? And in what formation? Share your thoughts below.

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