The U.S. Men's Gold Cup team will be chosen in about a month's time, meaning players hoping to impress head coach Bob Bradley are running out of time to do so.
One player who has done well enough to push himself back onto the national team radar in recent weeks is Charlie Davies. The D.C. United striker is the leading goal-scorer in MLS heading into tonight's match against the Houston Dynamo, and while three of his five goals this year have come from the penalty spot, he has still shown the trademark speed and shiftiness that made him a national team starter before a fatal car accident nearly ended his career.
Davies only recently worked his way into the D.C. starting lineup, so his full recovery from the 2009 car crash that almost took his life is still not complete, but he has shown enough to possibly earn at least a look from Bob Bradley.
Though still a bit of a longshot, Davies has a chance to be considered because the reality is there just aren't a plethora of in-form forward options in the U.S. national team pool. Even though Bradley is the kind of pragmatic coach who seems more likely to let Davies continue to settle with his club rather than bringing him into the Gold Cup team, Davies could certainly push the issue with more games like his recent stellar outing against Toronto FC.
Davies struggled to make an impact against the New York Red Bulls last week and will face another stiff test in a Houston Dynamo defense that has allowed just five goals in six matches this season.
Davies isn't the only player who could boost their Gold Cup qualifications. Brad Davis has been one of the best wingers in MLS, and the dearth of quality wing options in the U.S. pool could lead to a look. The Dynamo also has Cameron, who hasn't had a breakout start to the season, but is someone Bradley has looked at before.
Tonight's Houston-D.C. clash is more than just a showcase for Gold Cup hopefuls though. It is a battle of past MLS Cup champions looking to rebound after awful 2010 seasons. Houston has enjoyed a good start in its first season as an Eastern Conference team, though the Dynamo offense has struggled in recent weeks without forward Brian Ching. Midfielder Brad Davis has spear-headed the offense and rookie forward Will Bruin has impressed.
The Dynamo will look to burn a D.C. defense coming off its worst performance of the season, a 4-0 thrashing against New York. Ben Olsen's back-line has featured rookies such as Perry Kitchen, Ethan White and Chris Korb, but even veterans like Dejan Jakovic and Marc Burch struggled against the Red Bulls.
Houston won't offer the same kind of dangerous attack the Red Bulls did, so it will be up to young goalkeeper Bill Hamid and the D.C. back-line to contain Davis and Bruin.
Offensively, the D.C. midfield continues to be inconsistent, with Olsen leaving rookie Andy Najar on the bench and midfielder Dax McCarty struggling with his new team. Chris Pontius has impressed, but the midfield is still seeking a consistent rhythm.
Finding one against Houston won't come easy, not with Geoff Cameron and Lovel Palmer patrolling the middle and Davis dominating the left flank.
That midfield battle will go a long way in determining which of these Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls can grab three points and bolster their place in the standings, where the race is wide open after first-place New York and second-place Philadelphia.
If D.C. is going to leave Houston with any points, it will likely depend on Davies, who has an offense to carry and a U.S. national team coach to impress.
MLS Week 7
Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
A week off should help the Union come out strong against a badly struggling Earthquakes squad. Look for Danny Mwanga to break loose and the Union defense to post another shutout.
Columbus Crew vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
The Crew continue to ride a five-match unbeaten streak after losing its opener, while the Whitecaps are in the opposite position, seeking their first win in six matches. Look for the Crew defense to slow down the Whitecaps attack in a low-scoring affair.
New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City
If there's a game this weekend destined to be a goal-fest, it is this one. The New York defense has allowed just two goals all season, but its offense should have a field day against a shaky KC defense. The Teal Bunbury vs. Juan Agudelo storyline would be great if Agudelo actually starts.
Colorado Rapids vs. Chicago Fire
The Rapids begin life without Brian Mullan against a struggling Fire team that looked disappointing in last week's home draw versus Houston. Colorado looks destined to break loose at home after dropping three straight road matches.
Seattle Sounders vs. Toronto FC
Losing Steve Zakuani for the season (most likely) was bad enough, but the Sounders have also lost O'Brian White to a blood clot in his leg while Argentine playmaker Mauro Rosales is questionable. That doesn't leave much of an offense to go against a TFC team playing better than people realize. Despite the absences, Seattle can still hold off a Toronto team known for struggling on the road.
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake
The Timbers are unbeaten at home and Real Salt Lake is unbeaten overall in MLS play. So which side will yield? As much as RSL may be facing a CONCACAF hangover, Jason Kreis's team is still too talented not to take advantage of a vulnerable Portland defense.
Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution
The Benny Feilhaber Derby should be an interesting one as Chivas USA gets a close look at the player it passed on. Feilhaber was stellar in his Revs debut, and you can bet he'll be looking to have a big game against the home-town team that passed him up.
FC Dallas vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Can Dallas really survive without David Ferreira? While FC Dallas still has plenty of talent, beating the Galaxy without the reigning MLS MVP will be very difficult, especially with Landon Donovan looking like his old self. Look for a Galaxy win in what should be a wide-open game.
Ives Galarcep is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team.
