ESPN's player rankings here
1) Tim Howard (G): He is the last line of defense for the USMNT. He had an excellent qualifying campaign and continues to excel for Everton in the English Premier League. Expect great things in net from Howard during the World Cup.
2) Landon Donovan (M/F): Donovan is the backbone of the US team. He was the MVP of the MLS this year for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He needs to stay involved throughout entire games in South Africa. As he goes, so goes the team. To gain the respect of players from around the world, Donovan has to prove himself on the world's greatest soccer stage.
3) Carlos Bocanegra (D): Along with an ailing Onyewu, Bocanegra will sure up the center of defense for the US. He has great strength, awareness, and an unexpected skill on the ball. He needs to maintain good positioning more consistently. He is an excellent finisher with his head, mostly off of corners and free kicks. He is an important veteran with European experience. Currently playing for Rennes in France, Bocanegra is the former captain of Fulham. Will captain the World Cup team.
4) Oguchi Onyewu (D): Recently signed with Real Madrid, Onyewu has to make great steps to get back in game shape after having knee surgery. He is an intimidating force for the US. Barring any setbacks, expect him to dominate the backline in South Africa. His agility and quickness are uncanny for someone his size.
5) Jozy Altidore (F): Powerful, skillful, and an excellent finisher, Altidore needs to have a great world cup campaign for the the US to advance deep in the tourney. He combines agility, speed and strength unlike any other player the US has up front. He has 7 goals in 15 career international games. Currently plays for Villareal, but has been bounced around to second division Xerez.
6) Clint Dempsey (M/F): Dempsey has a knack for finding the back of the net. He sometimes lets his superior on ball skills slow down the game. Can be used as an attacking outside mid or striker. If the US expects to advance, Dempsey has to stay aggressive and avoid disappearing for minutes at a time. Playing for Fulham, Dempsey is one of US's most respected players around the world.
7) Steve Cherundolo (D): Cherundolo has fought injuries of late, but has started 12 games this season for Hanover 96 in the German Bundesliga. If he remains healthy, he will sure up an already strong US back four. He is a smart defender who relies on instincts and great positioning to beat his opponents. Will make the US defense a tough obstacle for their competitors.
8) Maurice Edu (M): I'm biased toward Maurice Edu because of his University of Maryland past, but I do not think this ranking is too high. Edu needs to get back into game shape, stay healthy and play significant minutes for the Glasgow Rangers. His speed, strength, touch, and ability to facilitate an often stagnant offense could sure up a questionable center of the field for the US. Bradley needs to take a long hard look at what Edu can do for this team.
9) Michael Bradley (M): The prodigal son of head coach Bob Bradley, Michael has not impressed on an international level but his experience playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as his size and strength is something his father looks for in a center midfielder. Michael will be starting in South Africa, but I will continue to question the decision until I see consistent results.
10) Benny Feilhaber (M): He can bring a creativity to the midfield that the US is greatly lacking. Feilhaber gives the US a different kind of option. He is not Bob Bradley's ideal player but he has distinguished ball skills and can make a play at any moment. He is currently playing for AGF Aarhus in Denmark, where he has started 16 games this season.
11) Jonathan Bornstein (D): Bornstein is a versatile option for Bob Bradley. He can be used at almost any spot. He is likely vying for an outside back spot with Demerit and Spector. He will likely be used off the bench as he gives Bob Bradley many options. He has lightening fast speed but can sometimes be knocked off the ball due to his lack of upper body strength. Plays for Chivas USA in the MLS.
12) Jay Demerit (D): Demerit brings more size, strength and intelligence to the US defense. He will also be vying for the last starting spot. He could be used late in games for defensive purposes. Plays a significant role for Waterford in England.
13) Jose Torres (M): Torres is another interesting option in the midfield for Bob Bradley. Torres is young but brings skill and creativity unlike anyone else in the US soccer program. He plays for Pachuca in Mexico where he starts. His lack of size is something that continues to scare Bradley in a center midfielder.
14) Stuart Holden (M): Holden will likely be used as a sub in World Cup 2010. He can contribute off the bench in either a center or outside midfield role. He plays pinpoint long balls and crosses into the box that force opposing defenders to make quick and decisive moves. He will be an effective option off the bench. Plays for the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
15) Jonathan Spector (D): Spector was outstanding in qualifying games. If he stays healthy and continues to play significant minutes for West Ham United, don't be surprised to see him starting at outside back across from Steve Cherundolo.
16) Jermaine Jones (M): Jones is an interesting and newly acquired option for the United States. Half German and Half American, Jones has just recently been approved by FIFA to play for the US national team. He could change the US midfield with his size and experience. He is an enforcer with energy and passion, and dominates the field for Schalke 04 in Germany. He has experience playing for the German national and could play a significant role for the US in South Africa.
17) Ricardo Clark (M): Clark brings youth and energy to the midfield, and should be used as a sub in the World Cup. He was disappointing in qualifying games as he often lost possession due to mishit balls and slow decision making. He disrupts the flow of the offense much too often. Clark plays for the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
18) Conor Casey (F): Casey is a big, strong forward, that consistently finds the back of the net in the MLS. His drive and hard-work will likely get him on the US roster as the forward pool remains weak. Bradley likes to bring in Casey when the team has a lead at the end of the game.
19) Brad Guzan (G): Continues the line of great US goalkeepers. Is an excellent backup to Tim Howard. Plays for Aston Villa of the EPL.
20) Frankie Hejduk (D): Hejduk is a hard-worker, with experience, that, despite losing a step due to age, can still run the flanks and contribute from the back. He understands what he needs to do on every part of the field and could be an option late in games for Bradley. Plays for the Columbus Crew in the MLS.
21) Damarcus Beasley (M): Beasley has worked his way back on the field for the Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. He has scored three goals in his last four games and has been serving in nice ball after nice ball from the left midfield spot. In my opinion, he has worked his way back into the World Cup roster.
22) Kenny Cooper (F): Cooper is an adept goal scorer who could be a formidable option for Bradley next summer. He is good facing the net and has an unexpectedly nice touch for his size. He scored 7 goals for FC Dallas this season before being transferred to 1860 Munich in the Bundesliga.
23) Troy Perkins (G):Perkins will likely be the 3rd string goalie in South Africa.
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24) Chad Marshall (D): Has been getting strong looks from Bradley, including a start in center back recently. Has made a name for himself as the dominating force in the Columbus Crew's defense.
25) Freddy Adu (M/F): If Freddy wants to make the World Cup roster he will have to figure out a way to get on the field for Belenenses in Portugal and produce consistently. The US could use his quickness and creativity up front. He has a lot of work to do to impress Bradley before the roster is decided.
26) Robbie Rogers (F): Columbus Crew forward and former Maryland Terrapin is waiting to see if he has done enough to make the US roster. He is likely battling Ching, Adu and Cooper for one spot.
27) Sacha Kljestan (M): Kljestan was on the roster for most of qualifying but did not play very much and was nearly invisible when he did step on the field. His stock has dropped significantly over the past year after a quick rise, but remains someone Bradley could look to. He plays for Chivas USA in the MLS.
28) Eddie Johnson (F): Fast and strong, Johnson has virtually disappeared from US soccer. He is back on the map because of his athleticism. Unfortunately, he rarely plays for his club team Fulham. Many US soccer fans wonder what has happened to Eddie Johnson.
29) Edgar Castillo (D): Like Jermaine Jones, Castillo has just recently been cleared to play for the US by FIFA. Mexican born, Castillo is an excellent attacking defender who could be seeing a significant role in the future. He was called up to play for Mexico in qualifying games against Honduras and Costa Rica but did not have a passport so did not play.
30) Brian Ching (F): Big, strong, slow and a weak ball handler, Ching remains a favorite of Bob Bradley, which could get him on the world cup roster. He can win balls on occasion and is good in the air, but should not be worth a roster spot. He plays for the Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
31) Danny Califf (D): A strong center back, he struggles to beat out Onyewu and Bocanegra. Could be an excellent option if Onyewu is unable to get back to a game fitness level. He plays for Midtjylland in Denmark where he starts.
OTHER PLAYERS ON WORLD CUP ROSTER RADAR: Mike Grella (Leeds)
1) Tim Howard (G): He is the last line of defense for the USMNT. He had an excellent qualifying campaign and continues to excel for Everton in the English Premier League. Expect great things in net from Howard during the World Cup.
2) Landon Donovan (M/F): Donovan is the backbone of the US team. He was the MVP of the MLS this year for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He needs to stay involved throughout entire games in South Africa. As he goes, so goes the team. To gain the respect of players from around the world, Donovan has to prove himself on the world's greatest soccer stage.
3) Carlos Bocanegra (D): Along with an ailing Onyewu, Bocanegra will sure up the center of defense for the US. He has great strength, awareness, and an unexpected skill on the ball. He needs to maintain good positioning more consistently. He is an excellent finisher with his head, mostly off of corners and free kicks. He is an important veteran with European experience. Currently playing for Rennes in France, Bocanegra is the former captain of Fulham. Will captain the World Cup team.
4) Oguchi Onyewu (D): Recently signed with Real Madrid, Onyewu has to make great steps to get back in game shape after having knee surgery. He is an intimidating force for the US. Barring any setbacks, expect him to dominate the backline in South Africa. His agility and quickness are uncanny for someone his size.
5) Jozy Altidore (F): Powerful, skillful, and an excellent finisher, Altidore needs to have a great world cup campaign for the the US to advance deep in the tourney. He combines agility, speed and strength unlike any other player the US has up front. He has 7 goals in 15 career international games. Currently plays for Villareal, but has been bounced around to second division Xerez.
6) Clint Dempsey (M/F): Dempsey has a knack for finding the back of the net. He sometimes lets his superior on ball skills slow down the game. Can be used as an attacking outside mid or striker. If the US expects to advance, Dempsey has to stay aggressive and avoid disappearing for minutes at a time. Playing for Fulham, Dempsey is one of US's most respected players around the world.
7) Steve Cherundolo (D): Cherundolo has fought injuries of late, but has started 12 games this season for Hanover 96 in the German Bundesliga. If he remains healthy, he will sure up an already strong US back four. He is a smart defender who relies on instincts and great positioning to beat his opponents. Will make the US defense a tough obstacle for their competitors.
8) Maurice Edu (M): I'm biased toward Maurice Edu because of his University of Maryland past, but I do not think this ranking is too high. Edu needs to get back into game shape, stay healthy and play significant minutes for the Glasgow Rangers. His speed, strength, touch, and ability to facilitate an often stagnant offense could sure up a questionable center of the field for the US. Bradley needs to take a long hard look at what Edu can do for this team.
9) Michael Bradley (M): The prodigal son of head coach Bob Bradley, Michael has not impressed on an international level but his experience playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as his size and strength is something his father looks for in a center midfielder. Michael will be starting in South Africa, but I will continue to question the decision until I see consistent results.
10) Benny Feilhaber (M): He can bring a creativity to the midfield that the US is greatly lacking. Feilhaber gives the US a different kind of option. He is not Bob Bradley's ideal player but he has distinguished ball skills and can make a play at any moment. He is currently playing for AGF Aarhus in Denmark, where he has started 16 games this season.
11) Jonathan Bornstein (D): Bornstein is a versatile option for Bob Bradley. He can be used at almost any spot. He is likely vying for an outside back spot with Demerit and Spector. He will likely be used off the bench as he gives Bob Bradley many options. He has lightening fast speed but can sometimes be knocked off the ball due to his lack of upper body strength. Plays for Chivas USA in the MLS.
12) Jay Demerit (D): Demerit brings more size, strength and intelligence to the US defense. He will also be vying for the last starting spot. He could be used late in games for defensive purposes. Plays a significant role for Waterford in England.
13) Jose Torres (M): Torres is another interesting option in the midfield for Bob Bradley. Torres is young but brings skill and creativity unlike anyone else in the US soccer program. He plays for Pachuca in Mexico where he starts. His lack of size is something that continues to scare Bradley in a center midfielder.
14) Stuart Holden (M): Holden will likely be used as a sub in World Cup 2010. He can contribute off the bench in either a center or outside midfield role. He plays pinpoint long balls and crosses into the box that force opposing defenders to make quick and decisive moves. He will be an effective option off the bench. Plays for the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
15) Jonathan Spector (D): Spector was outstanding in qualifying games. If he stays healthy and continues to play significant minutes for West Ham United, don't be surprised to see him starting at outside back across from Steve Cherundolo.
16) Jermaine Jones (M): Jones is an interesting and newly acquired option for the United States. Half German and Half American, Jones has just recently been approved by FIFA to play for the US national team. He could change the US midfield with his size and experience. He is an enforcer with energy and passion, and dominates the field for Schalke 04 in Germany. He has experience playing for the German national and could play a significant role for the US in South Africa.
17) Ricardo Clark (M): Clark brings youth and energy to the midfield, and should be used as a sub in the World Cup. He was disappointing in qualifying games as he often lost possession due to mishit balls and slow decision making. He disrupts the flow of the offense much too often. Clark plays for the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
18) Conor Casey (F): Casey is a big, strong forward, that consistently finds the back of the net in the MLS. His drive and hard-work will likely get him on the US roster as the forward pool remains weak. Bradley likes to bring in Casey when the team has a lead at the end of the game.
19) Brad Guzan (G): Continues the line of great US goalkeepers. Is an excellent backup to Tim Howard. Plays for Aston Villa of the EPL.
20) Frankie Hejduk (D): Hejduk is a hard-worker, with experience, that, despite losing a step due to age, can still run the flanks and contribute from the back. He understands what he needs to do on every part of the field and could be an option late in games for Bradley. Plays for the Columbus Crew in the MLS.
21) Damarcus Beasley (M): Beasley has worked his way back on the field for the Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. He has scored three goals in his last four games and has been serving in nice ball after nice ball from the left midfield spot. In my opinion, he has worked his way back into the World Cup roster.
22) Kenny Cooper (F): Cooper is an adept goal scorer who could be a formidable option for Bradley next summer. He is good facing the net and has an unexpectedly nice touch for his size. He scored 7 goals for FC Dallas this season before being transferred to 1860 Munich in the Bundesliga.
23) Troy Perkins (G):Perkins will likely be the 3rd string goalie in South Africa.
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24) Chad Marshall (D): Has been getting strong looks from Bradley, including a start in center back recently. Has made a name for himself as the dominating force in the Columbus Crew's defense.
25) Freddy Adu (M/F): If Freddy wants to make the World Cup roster he will have to figure out a way to get on the field for Belenenses in Portugal and produce consistently. The US could use his quickness and creativity up front. He has a lot of work to do to impress Bradley before the roster is decided.
26) Robbie Rogers (F): Columbus Crew forward and former Maryland Terrapin is waiting to see if he has done enough to make the US roster. He is likely battling Ching, Adu and Cooper for one spot.
27) Sacha Kljestan (M): Kljestan was on the roster for most of qualifying but did not play very much and was nearly invisible when he did step on the field. His stock has dropped significantly over the past year after a quick rise, but remains someone Bradley could look to. He plays for Chivas USA in the MLS.
28) Eddie Johnson (F): Fast and strong, Johnson has virtually disappeared from US soccer. He is back on the map because of his athleticism. Unfortunately, he rarely plays for his club team Fulham. Many US soccer fans wonder what has happened to Eddie Johnson.
29) Edgar Castillo (D): Like Jermaine Jones, Castillo has just recently been cleared to play for the US by FIFA. Mexican born, Castillo is an excellent attacking defender who could be seeing a significant role in the future. He was called up to play for Mexico in qualifying games against Honduras and Costa Rica but did not have a passport so did not play.
30) Brian Ching (F): Big, strong, slow and a weak ball handler, Ching remains a favorite of Bob Bradley, which could get him on the world cup roster. He can win balls on occasion and is good in the air, but should not be worth a roster spot. He plays for the Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
31) Danny Califf (D): A strong center back, he struggles to beat out Onyewu and Bocanegra. Could be an excellent option if Onyewu is unable to get back to a game fitness level. He plays for Midtjylland in Denmark where he starts.
OTHER PLAYERS ON WORLD CUP ROSTER RADAR: Mike Grella (Leeds)
This post first appeared on Road To The World Cup: South Africa 2010, please read the originial post: here
