Buoyed by all the fun we had with Euro 2008, the soccer posts keep on comin’. Yesterday, we asked Tyler Duffy of The Odds and Sods to pick the World’s Best 11, today, we begin an exercise that we hope to revisit periodically over the next two years: Picking the US National team. The talent pool has gotten considerably deeper in the wake of the disaster that was the 2006 World Cup. As club play heats up, we hope to revisit this every other month.

GK: Tim Howard (Everton, England) There is one position the U.S. have tremendous depth. Unfortunately, it’s at goalkeeper. Of the many viable candidates, Howard has to be the choice. He has consistently been one of the top goalkeepers, both statistically and through spoken word, in the Premier League. He would be first choice for nearly any country.

DL: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, MLS) Bornstein was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2006 and is exceedingly skillful for a left back, having been a forward in college. Recovering from a knee injury right now, he will probably be first choice over Heath Pearce when healthy. He’s also a strong candidate to make the jump across the pond, possibly to Israeli club Maccabi Haifa. He needs to score a screamer from long range, so I can start referring to him as the Hebrew Hammer.

DC: Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium) “The Gooch” has been one of the best players in Belgian League (although it is the Belgian League). He attracted the interest of top European clubs before an underwhelming loan performance at Newcastle two seasons ago, where he gave up free kicks as often as Jay Mariotti bleats. He has his weaknesses as a player, but he is big (6′4” 200lbs).

DC: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France) The Kickette favorite was a longtime fixture at the back for Fulham U.S.A. He’s not particularly brilliant but has competent experience playing at a top level in Europe. And, unlike most of the U.S. strikers, he’s frisky in front of goal (9 goals in 58 matches for the U.S.)

DR: Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Germany) Cherundolo is solid, stable and experienced, having played 250 matches and serving as a vice-captain for his German club. He’s probably the best option.

ML: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) Beasley was playing well for Scottish side Rangers (including a spectacular performance against Lyon in the Champions League) before a knee injury in November kept him out for nearly the entire rest of the season. He should feature in the starting XI through 2010, provided he regains his pre-injury form.

M: Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal) Free from the overinflated expectations that branded him a failure before his 18th birthday, Adu has quietly thrived for the U.S. U-20 National Team and Portuguese side Benfica. Left languishing stupidly on the wing, he now plays a natural central role that maximizes his creativity and on the ball talents. He may not be the christened superstar, but can still be quite good.

DM: Michael Bradley (Herenveen, Netherlands) The coach’s son is coming off a terrible run of games for the national team where he plays a more defensive role. But, he was co-leading scorer for Herenveen last season with 15 goals (most of any American player in a top European league ever), so he has talent that should come through for the red, white and blue.

MR: Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England) When not busting rhymes or putting caps in peoples’ asses, “Deuce” has endeared himself to Fulham USA fans, notably for scoring the $60 million goal that saved them from relegation two seasons ago. He was Fulham’s top scorer last season, but that was with six goals.

AM: Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy, MLS) Landon “Landycakes” Donovan, king of the self-imposed fishbowl, is a bellwether for American fortunes. When they made the quarterfinals in 2002, he was the best young player of the tournament. When they withdrew meekly in 2006, he was arguably the worst player in the tournament. The most gifted American to date, he must mature past the delicate part of his genius, or, to be blunt, grow a pair.

F: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal, Spain) To make true progress internationally, the U.S. need a top-level goal scorer. With a $10 million investment, Spanish runner-up Villarreal think Jozy may be just that. He could thrive in Spain and be the next big thing, or he could flop miserably. The U.S. will have to hope it is the former, otherwise more Eddie Johnson!

This guy will emphasize how difficult the 2010 qualification will be, but it would be a Troy-scale disappointment of the U.S. failed to qualify. Their advancement once they arrive will depend on whether they discover a consistent goal scoring threat.

If anyone from Nike is reading this, someone should have to score goals regularly to pull off bright yellow or orange shoes.