Freddy Adu Makes the U.S. Squad For The Gold Cup

GK: Howard, Rimando, Hahnemann

Howard is the presumptive starter. Guzan will be the backup, but is missing the Gold Cup to get married. The U.S. is deep with viable candidates at this position.

D: Spector, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Cherundolo, Bornstein, Lichaj, Ream, Goodson

Where is Timmy Chandler? The promising 21-year-old right back with dangerous speed was arguably the best U.S. player during the last round of friendlies. Supposedly his last season in Europe took a “toll” on him. There can’t be another rational reason besides fatigue for leaving him off this team.

Overhauling the back four is Bradley’s most important task for Brazil . The unit was slow, old, outclassed and a liability in 2010. Bradley will need to part with Bocanegra, Cherundolo and possibly Onyewu before then, so this isn’t much progress. Ream was a revelation with his (gasp!) competent passing from the back during the March friendlies. Hopefully, he gets some playing time.

M: Bradley, Edu, Donovan, Jones, Kljestan, Rogers, Adu, Feilhaber

Freddy Adu is finally playing, but it’s in the Turkish second division. He was successful for the U.S. at Under-20 level, so maybe it’s to see how he reacts. His selection still seems baffling. The other curious pick is Robbie Rogers, a competent MLS winger, over Alejandro Bedoya who is off to a hot start in Sweden. There’s no Ricardo Clark, but why would you select him when you have three better players at his same position? If Holden returns to his pre-leg injury form for Bolton, he will be a favorite to start in 2014.

F: Dempsey, Agudelo, Altidore, Wondolowski

Wondolowski is the only surprise. He’s 28 and a really late bloomer in MLS. But, he’s scored 23 goals in 37 appearances. He’s unproven, but potentially interesting. It’s not as though he’s keeping a ton of budding talent off this team.

My guess on the starting XI.

4-4-2

Howard

Cherundolo – Bocanegra – Ream – Bornstein

Donovan – Bradley – Jones – Dempsey

Altidore – Agudelo