2010 World Cup Player Comments

Looking at the 2010 Roster, we had a solid keeper and a strong midfield. Our Defense and Forwards were more of picking the best of what you've got as opposed to having a large group of standout players and having to make cuts. There is definitely room for improvement and growth.

1 Tim HOWARD -- Solid keeper play that too often got hung out to dry by his defenders. This said, you need more than solid keeper play in the World Cup. Brad Friedel was a huge part of our success in 2002. Much more so than Tim Howard in 2010.

3 Carlos BOCANEGRA -- In my mind Carlos was one of the weak links in the defensive line. He was taken to school in the game vs England and appeared to quit on the second goal vs Ghana.

4 Michael BRADLEY -- Solid midfield play and contributor.

5 Oguchi ONYEWU -- May be a great player when fit but wasn't ready to play in the cup for 2010.

6 Steve CHERUNDOLO -- I liked his ability to get forward and contribute to the offense.

7 DaMarcus BEASLEY -- limited appearance vs. Algeria

8 Clint DEMPSEY -- Clint's got game and you saw him work his butt off in this year's cup run. . He should have had at least 3 more balls find the back of the net.

9 Herculez GOMEZ -- From their actual game play all of the new USA forwards -- Gomez, Altidore, Findley, and Buddle -- looked interchangeble with none of them really differentiating themselves. Herc had limited chances to play and didn't make the most of it.

10 Landon DONOVAN -- Landon did what was expected of him but you always want
more. Personally I'd like to see him play more central mid to allow him to create more.

12 Jonathan BORNSTEIN -- I know he played but nothing remarkable came to mind

13 Ricardo CLARK -- not sure why this guy started two games. Obviously the turnover v Ghana was huge.

14 Edson BUDDLE -- See Gomez

15 Jay DeMERIT -- Jay was the guy on defense for the US.

17 Jozy ALTIDORE -- Jozy showed lots of hustle / work rate up until Ghana. He's a young striker that should only get better.

19 Maurice EDU -- solid midfield play and great contributions to the team.

20 Robbie FINDLEY -- See Gomez

22 Benny FEILHABER -- Why isn't he a starter? Each time Benny came on the field the US played better and he contributed.

Looking to 2014, you never know who will still be playing and what new faces will arrive. Based on their performance for this cup, here are the folks that have set the bar going forward:
- Keeper -- Howard.
- Defense -- Demerit. Then we have lots of opennings.
- Midfield -- Donovan, Feilhaber, Edu, and Bradley are keepers. The rest of the midfield is wide open.
- Forward -- Dempsey. Then we need to see who wants it.