Nice win today despite a few blown chances and some difficultly with the speedier wing play by Panama. Still a trophy is a trophy and everyone who played today made a solid contibution to the win. A total team effort was required with Panama selling out to deny LD and EJ the ball and swarming to the ball carrier. We saw more about who shouldn't belong on the WC squad today than who should, but it was a well deserved capper to a great few weeks for the USMNT.
My take aways in general are these:
1. Don't get used to the ball ripping the back of the net with such regularity. We've seen a quantum leap in offensive proficiency and potential, but in the three games of consequence we managed five goals.
2. The back line is still an issue until it can contain attacks from better offensive squads. Today, Panama was playing for the bad turnover and for set pieces. The squad did well to not give them many opportunities. Keeping possession was a primary reason for this, but aside from one or two minor adventures in the box. Everyone held together. The auditions will continue right up until Brazil. JK seems pleased but still unsatisfied that the pool is deep enough.
3. Almost no one's spot is safe aside from the 2 keepers, LD, Dempsey, and Bradley. Everyone else has flaws and someone pushing them either for a spot on the roster or in the starting XI. Any predictions must assume everyone is playing regularly for their clubs and is in good form.
So, without further Adu or Edu. the squad, post GC bubble watch style.
Locks for the 23:
Howard, Guzan, Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley
Should be in barring injury or significant drop in form:
Jones, Altidore, Cameron, F. Johnson, Beasley
Likely in (still work to do to lock up a spot):
Goodson, Besler, Zusi, Gonzalez, Rimando
In the mix (must continue to show good form for their clubs)
Parkhurst, Wondolowski, E. Johnson, Corona, Torres, Gomez, Cherundolo, Chandler
On the fringe (need to improve or show they can fill a specific need):
Beckerman, Holden, Diskerud, Bedoya, S. Johnson, D. Williams, Shea, Bocanegra
Need help (likely out of the mix barring an Eddie Johnson like return to form in the next year)
Castillo, Orozco Fiscal, Davis, Evans, Agudelo, Edu, Kljestan, Boyd, Onyewu, Feilhaber
The names in Bold are who I am confident will be in Brazil. 16 names, leaving 7 spots for the roster, 3 for the gameday 18. Of the seven I predict:
2 out of Wondo, E. Johnson, and Gomez (1 makes the 18)
2 out of Corona, Torres, Gomez (1 makes the 18)
2 out of Chandler, Cherundolo, and a defender to be named later. (1 makes the 18, if Cameron is a Midfielder)
1 out of Beckerman, Diskerud, Holden and D. Williams, Torres, Corona.
Based soley on what I've seen this cycle from this group, I take, Johnson, Corona and two of Wondo, Gomez or Torres up front; Chandler plus one at defense (would like it to be Dolo) and D. Williams.
Beckerman, Diskerud, Holden and possibly Shea may slip in ahead of one of the forwards. With LD and Dempsey capable of playing up, it seems unnecessary to take all four I listed and each can fill a specific function, though I think none of them have the skills for more than a cameo in the WC. I do see premise of a Beckerman or Shea seeing the field as more likely than say Wondo, so JK may go that direction. I'd prefer to keep as much heat on Altidore as possible, he's too important to let him feel unchallenged.
