The US National team resumes qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with a CONCACAF region match-up on the road against Costa Rica.
Frank Giase of the Newark Star-Ledger previews the match, which will be televised live on ESPN.
It's also likely Bradley will tweak the roster along the way, as he hopes to give the European-based players as much time off as possible because the end of next season's club schedule will lead right into the World Cup. As a former Major League Soccer coach, Bradley also will be aware of how much time players will miss right in the heart of the MLS season.
The defense, with age or inexperience, appears to be the biggest concern. Frankie Hejduk (34), Carlos Bocanegra (30) and Jay DeMerit (30) are all over 30, but except for Oguchi Onyewu (27), everybody else under age 30 is unproven.
That group includes Danny Califf (23 caps), Heath Pearce (23), Jonathan Bornstein (14), Jonathan Spector (12) and Marvell Wynne (2).
Veteran Steve Cherundolo, who is 30, is also in the mix but is out after undergoing hip surgery.
The biggest problem has been finding outside backs, which is why Bradley has turned to Hejduk for important games. Bornstein (24) was on the fast track a few years ago before he was injured and still could be the answer on the left, while the speedy Wynne (23) could be the future on the right side.
The biggest problem has been finding outside backs, which is why Bradley has turned to Hejduk for important games. Bornstein (24) was on the fast track a few years ago before he was injured and still could be the answer on the left, while the speedy Wynne (23) could be the future on the right side.
The surprise in midfield is the return of Benny Feilhaber. One of the standouts at the 2005 Under-20 World Cup, Feilhaber fell off the map when his ego grew at a faster rate than his talent and his attitude became a bit too much to deal with. He was signed by Hamburg, transferred to Derby County and is now playing in Denmark.
But Bradley has a heart, and an eye for talent, and with Feilhaber just 24 and perhaps a bit more mature, there is no reason to give up on him.
It also will be interesting to watch the progress of 21-year-old midfielder Jose Francisco Torres, who plays for Pachuca. Torres has one goal in four appearances.
There is experience up front in Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Brian Ching, but 19-year-old Jozy Altidore, who has six goals in nine international games, will also see time. Charlie Davies, a 22-year-old forward who plays in Sweden, is also on the roster.
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