Avoiding the Drop

How important is the upcoming Summer for the US Men’s National Team?  It’s more important than you might think.

It starts with a vanity clash with Spain in Foxborough on June 4th.  This is strictly being used as a warm-up for the Gold Cup.  The Cup squad gets named Monday, so presumably it will be the group that takes on the World Champions.  From that perspective, the USA should be prohibitive underdogs against Spain.  If Bob Bradley picks certain players for the Gold Cup squad, though, the test against the steel of Spain is worth paying attention to.

It is widely assumed that Bob Bradley will be picking a youthful group for the Gold Cup.  This has been his tactic in the past.  It allows him to get a good look at the future of the team in a tournament setting.  The Gold Cup traditionally comes down to the United States and Mexico as the two favorites.  Mexico’s typical tactic is to mix their squad with youthful players and seasoned veterans, and given that news has leaked that Rafa Marquez has been pulled from New York Red Bulls, it is likely that this tactic will continue.  If Bradley goes with a youthful squad, he can rest assured that the Spain test along with a presumptive final against Mexico will be the two matches that will shape his opinion moving forward.

Reaction to the squad choices will surely ripple through the internet blogging community as they always do.  You might even read some analysis here.  I have to be honest, I do not particularly care how Bradley shapes this squad as long as two players are included in it.  I want to see Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury (who has already been confirmed by his generous manager Peter Vermes) as two of the forward choices for the USA.  It is important for the USA that the forwards start producing goals on a consistent basis.  USA forwards were largely invisible last summer during the World Cup.  Agudelo and Bunbury will need to be important parts of the squad that is likely going to end up traveling to Brazil in 2014.

There has been some Charlie Davies speculation floating around but his recent hamstring injury has put an end to that.  It will be important for Davies to be available for selection at some point soon, though, as seeing him together with both Jozy Altidore and Agudelo is important for Bradley.  The USA forwards were largely ineffective in South Africa.  Agudelo is quickly becoming the name that everyone is talking about in relation to the USA goal-scoring chances moving forward.  Bradley will need to finally convince Jozy Altidore that he can be effective, but Bradley also needs to figure out whether he is more effective starting or coming off the bench.  Jozy has largely faired better in my opinion as a substitute, but he may not feel that way.  The Gold Cup should prove interesting from that perspective.  Both the USA and Mexico are expected to have all of their normal players available so it will be important to see the presumptive final between the two rivals.

Here is today’s somewhat limited schedule, all times eastern:

Spain, Malaga-Barcelona noon GolTV
Spain, Real Madrid-Almeria 2 p.m. ESPN Deportes
Spain, Hercules-Sporting Gijon 2 p.m. DirecTV (477)
France, PSG-Lille 3 p.m. Fox Soccer Channel
France, Lyon-Caen 3 p.m. Fox Soccer Plus
Spain, Real Sociedad-Getafe 4 p.m. GolTV
Spain, Osasuna-Villarreal 4 p.m. DirecTV (478)
Spain, Espanyol-Sevilla 4 p.m. DirecTV (479)
Spain, Mallorca-Atletico Madrid 4 p.m. ESPN Deportes
Colombia, America de Cali-Tolima 6 p.m. GolTV Premiere
MLS, Philadelphia-Chicago 8 p.m. Galavision
Spain, Levante-Zaragoza 8 p.m. GolTV Premiere
MLS, Houston-New York 8:30 p.m. Direct Kick
MLS, Chivas USA-Los Angeles 10 p.m. ESPN2
MLS, Seattle-Kansas City 10 p.m. Direct Kick
MLS, San Jose-New England 10:30 p.m. Direct Kick
MLS, Portland-Columbus 11 p.m. Direct Kick

ESPN3.com’s schedule is here.  Enjoy the SuperClasico tonight.  Thanks as always for your clicks and comments and enjoy your Saturday.