Going Dutch

Finally. Enough with the ‘B’ team. On the heels of another lackluster performance by the mostly-MLS-based second (third?) string, U.S. Men’s National Team Coach Bob Bradley has called on the big guns for next Wednesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

The ones that aren’t injured, that is.

Only Jonathan Bornstein, Robbie Findley and Clarence Goodson make the cut from the 2-1 win over El Salvador in Tampa last night. Eddie Johnson and Alejandro Bedoya are surprise additions, though for different reasons, as EJ inspires a “WTF?” and Bedoya a “Cool!”

Notable omissions include Brian Ching, who was decent against El Salvador (and “decent” is pretty much the highest rating Ching has ever received in the USA short), fellow target striker Kenny Cooper, Greek exile Freddy Adu and Tigres left back Edgar Castillo. Those four can assume they are outside the bubble for South Africa and will need a change of fortune in the next three months to merit consideration.

The full roster:

GOALKEEPERS- Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS- Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS- DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS- Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Here’s how I would line ‘em up (4-4-1-1):

Howard
Spector — Bocanegra — DeMerit — Bornstein
Holden — Bradley — Edu — Donovan
Torres
Altidore

Will never happen.