This is the strongest team I could imagine for the World Cup with this 23.
Altidore needs company to score. With Dempsey as a strike partner, and Bradley providing service at the point of the diamond, Altidore can be truly dangerous.
Davis and Zusi are my wingers that will often times be tracking back to cover for Johnson and Chandler, while still providing reliable service into the box: whatever you think of Davis, it's hard to deny that his left footed service is on par with Zusi's, and everyone loves Zusi. Why not have Left-Zusi?
Jones was the hardest pick. My game plan hinged on Edu making the 23 as I thought he would be the perfect balance between Jones's presence and domination, and Beckerman's timing and discipline. But the fact is, it'll be easier to tell Jones to stay home than it will be to tell Beckerman to improve his pace.
The only surprise I have in the back line is the Cameron-Gonzalez pairing. I know Gonzalez is unpopular right now, but I don't think he's the liability people think he is because of one very visible poor performance against Mexico. His dominance in the air, combined with Davis or Zusi service on a set piece could be extremely valuable, and Cameron has the quality to clean up any mess Gonzalez (I maintain) is unlikely to make.
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Geo
almost 10 years
This is the strongest team I could imagine for the World Cup with this 23. Altidore needs company to score. With Dempsey as a strike partner, and Bradley providing service at the point of the diamond, Altidore can be truly dangerous. Davis and Zusi are my wingers that will often times be tracking back to cover for Johnson and Chandler, while still providing reliable service into the box: whatever you think of Davis, it's hard to deny that his left footed service is on par with Zusi's, and everyone loves Zusi. Why not have Left-Zusi? Jones was the hardest pick. My game plan hinged on Edu making the 23 as I thought he would be the perfect balance between Jones's presence and domination, and Beckerman's timing and discipline. But the fact is, it'll be easier to tell Jones to stay home than it will be to tell Beckerman to improve his pace. The only surprise I have in the back line is the Cameron-Gonzalez pairing. I know Gonzalez is unpopular right now, but I don't think he's the liability people think he is because of one very visible poor performance against Mexico. His dominance in the air, combined with Davis or Zusi service on a set piece could be extremely valuable, and Cameron has the quality to clean up any mess Gonzalez (I maintain) is unlikely to make.