Bradley released the US’s 30 man roster this afternoon. The big surprise was the omission of Charlie Davies.  Rapids fans will also be disappointed to see that Conor Casey is not on the preliminary roster.

Despite reports that Charlie Davies wasn’t far enough along in his rehab to make the World Cup roster, I think everyone still hoped he’d make the cut. The young forward suffered potentially career ending injuries in October but has managed to work his way back at a miraculous pace. Although his recovery is nothing short of amazing, it wasn’t enough to get him on the preliminary roster.

Leaving Davies off the roster was a bold but correct move by Bradley. Davies was a fan favorite, but if he wasn’t ready to play he’d be occupying a spot for someone who is fit and capable of playing.

The omission of Conor Casey is a bit disappointing but understandable.  Casey has been involved with the national team for the last two years and scored the goal that gave the US its berth into the World Cup.  Unfortunately, his form has escaped him in the last few months.

Throughout the lead up to this announcement, Conor seemed like he didn’t care too much about getting the call up.  But this morning it was clear that Conor was disappointed. You could tell by the expression on his face and his avoidance of eye contact, that this omission hurt. Conor is a man of few words and likes to keep to himself.  I think it is easy to confuse that with a lack of passion.  Conor asked to pass on any interviews this morning and only stated that he was “disappointed” as he walked back to the locker rooms.

Here is the US’s preliminary 30-man roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro, Sweden), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Brian Ching (Houston), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico), Eddie Johnson (Aris, Greece).

Share your thoughts on the roster.

Bradley must register 30 players with FIFA tomorrow.  From the 30 selected, Bradley will choose his final 23 man roster by June 1.  If there is an injury after June 1, Bradley may call in a replacement up to 24 hours before their first match. The replacement does not have to be from the original 30. From the 30 registered tomorrow, 26-28 players will attend a training camp.

Here is the Green Army’s guess at the 30 players Bradley registers.

Goalkeepers (3):

Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton): Veteran keeper had a good year

Tim Howard (Everton): US #1 keeper

Brad Guzan (Aston villa): Solid #2 for the US

Defenders (9):

Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan): Back in full training after injury

Jay DeMerit (Watford): Solid center back, could push Bocanegra to left back

Jonathon Spector (West Ham): The versatile defender should start on the right

Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes): A leader for the US, Could start on the left or in the middle

Clarence Goodson (Start): Third option at center back

Heath Pearce (FC Dallas): His form has improved since returning to MLS

Jonathon Bornstein (Chivas USA): One of Bradley’s guys

Steve Cherundolo (Hanover): Veteran right back

Edgar Castillo (Tigres): Young defender looking to impress on the left

The inclusion of Steve Cherundolo brings a veteran presence on the right side eliminating the need for a guy like Frankie Hejduk.  It also opens the door for a younger option like Castillo to step in and get a shot at the final roster.  I think Clarence Goodson beat Chad Marshall for the final center back spot.  In addition, the resurgence of Maurice Edu means that the US has plenty of cover at the center back position.

Midfielders (11):

Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): The US’s best field player

Michael Bradley (Monchengladbach): The work horse and a lock starter

Maurice Edu (Rangers): Returned from injury and in form

Clint Dempsey (Fulham): Versatile goal scoring threat

Ricardo Clark (Frankfurt): Talented but inconsistent

Stuart Holden (Bolton): Back from injury, could get the nod on the right

Jose Torres (Pachuca): Tidy player with great vision and skill

Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro): Creative and dynamic midfielder/forward

Benny Feilhaber (AGF): A possession type player, sets the tempo

DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers): He’s a veteran and gets the benefit of the doubt . . . sigh

Freddy Adu (Aris): Can make a game changing pass or run

Why Freddy Adu over Sacha Kljestan? Basically, I don’t think either will make the final roster so I’m going out on limb to say that Freddy will get a look as that creative difference maker in the midfield. He’s played well at Aris and is more likely than Kljestan to make that game changing pass as a last minute sub. I think both of them get beat out by Alejandro Bedoya for the final roster spot.

Beasley has World Cup experience and that is a huge plus for him. His latest injury spell leaves him on the bubble. Other players on the bubble are Torres, Clark, and Bedoya.  I think the forward situation will determine if there is a spot for any of these 3 players.

Forwards (7):

Conor Casey (Rapids): Big target forward

Charlie Davies (Sochaux): Working his way back from injury

Jozy Altidore (Hull): Only real option at the moment

Eddie Johnson (Aris): Getting time at Aris

Brian Ching (Houston): Returning from another injury layoff

Edson Buddle (Galaxy): MLS leading goal scorer

Herculez Gomez (Puebla): In great form, consistent goal scorer in Mexico

The race to replace Charlie Davies might be over if Davies is actually ready to participate in the World Cup.  I really hope he is. I don’t think he is the greatest forward to ever wear a US jersey but he is a lot better than other options at the moment.   I also think having him on the roster will boost morale.

The only lock in this group is Jozy Altidore.  Ching has struggled with injuries and might not be in form. Similarly, Conor Casey isn’t lighting up MLS at the moment, but is still in the mix because he can play as a target forward. Of the inform group, Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez are the fan favorites.  It might be too little to late for these two though.  There isn’t much time to impress and Bradley might go with safer options. Eddie Johnson is on the fringe in this group, and Robbie Findley’s recent injury might keep him out of this group all together.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bradley only took Altidore and Davies, leaving the door open for 2 more midfielders to make the roster.

Share your thoughts.