Findley and Johnson represent speed and that is why they have been included
Findley and Johnson represent speed and that is why they have been included.The bigger question is why not an alternative to speed? What about a creative player or a pure finisher?The short answer to that question is that Bradley tends to shy away from such hard to measure qualities. Bradley has been reluctant to move Dempsey up front on a semi-permanent basis, or include Freddy Adu, a creative element that can't lock-down a position in an overcrowded midfield.At least he's looking for speed.Bradley's midfield selections reflect the same thought process. He knows that Donovan and Dempsey are his most likely choices for outside left and right. However, if he must move Dempsey or if he's not healthy, then he needs options No players from the MLS pool shone consistently. So he must look at his other options.His first choice supporting wingers are Stuart Holden and Benny Feilhaber It makes sense that Holden receives a nod. Plus, he needs to see how Holden will perform against top-tier opposition.
Can he rely on Holden if he needs to move Dempsey or Donovan up front?A larger question is Benny Feilhaber. He has been inconsistent, injury prone (like he is right now), and may need to play in the middle.Enter DaMarcus Beasley.The manager really has limited options here. Few wingers have stepped up to fill the void for the U.S., but now that Beasley looks like he has regained a semblance of his former-self, Bradley will give him a go.The same holds true for the middle of the pitch. Michael Bradley is an automatic, and like Jozy, he needs a partner Ricardo Clark is injured but expected to make the squad. Still, there needs to be other options in the center.Clark has a penchant for losing his head and disappearing during matches. Now that Edu is healthy, is he a better choice?Also, if Michael Bradley is developing into a stronger defensive presence, then maybe his father might look for a different compliment in the middle.
Instead of a more defensive partner, perhaps a calming and intelligent presence like Torres would add a new dimension to the team.Michael Bradley has had issues with his distribution, and the team has reacted well in the past when a controlled, calm, and deliberate midfielder has entered the game (Benny Feilhaber has played that role before).Again, no MLS players gave Bradley an option out of the ordinary. Sacha Klejestan has struggled, and Kyle Beckerman is a domestic version of Ricardo Clark.A side note: I know Bradley spoke some encouraging words about Klejestan's performance, but Klejestan's performance needs to be put into context He has struggled. There were a few bright spots in his play, and Bradley is a player's coach. It makes sense he would compliment Sacha's play.Consequently, Klejestan did little in the game overall, and he should have put one, if not both of his first two shots in the net.
His goal was the type that 1.) Isn't going to happen against a strong opponent; they're not going to make that mistake in the defense, and 2.) At the professional level you better be able to put away a 2-on-1 at the top of the eighteen.The team needs central players that have a stronger impact on the game and put their shots away (Michael Bradley will be playing that role for the first eleven He'll push forward and take those shots). This is why Sacha's name wasn't on the list traveling to Holland. Bradley knows where to reach him if he's needed.It looks the same for the back four. The starting slots are already accounted for, and the ones that are healthy were selected. So it's time to assess the team's defenses depth:Clarence Goodson has asserted himself as the fourth central defender ahead of Chad Marshall. Bradley needs to see how he'll do against elite attackers as well as develop a chemistry with the rest of the players.Heath Pearce had a strong performance against El Salvador, and, since the search goes on for competent outside backs, he got the call.When Pearce is on, he's as good, if not better, than Johnathan Bornstein Once upon a time, he was the first choice leftback.
He's calmer, has more of a presence, and is a stronger attacker than Bornstein Unfortunately, he's twice as inconsistent. If he performs well in Holland, maybe he'll hit a good run of form going into the World Cup.On the other side, Simek would be a great option if he's healthy and ready for elite competition. Not too long ago, Premier League teams were considering Simek as a bargain buy from his current club Sheffield Wednesday. Then he was injured.If he's back, he just might add some depth and free up Jonathan Spector to play elsewhere on the depleted backline.The same strategy was employed against El Salvador as Borstein played in the middle with Goodson.It's easy to see Bradley's logic with his overall selection for next Wednesday. The only real frustration is the lack of creativity in this lineup. Bradley's teams execute his gameplan well, are defensively minded, and demonstrate sound fundamentals. Such an approach keeps a team in games against America's regional opponents, but it's a mediocre philosophy.Creativity, originality, and a specialized skill set (i.e.