As the countdown goes from months to days, and the deadline for Bob Bradley to submit his 23-man U.S. World Cup roster draws closer, American players are running out of time to impress the American coach.
Some players are making the most of these final days with impressive runs of form, while others have not been as fortunate. Whether its new faces emerging to challenge for the wide-open forward position, or midfielders trying to make their names in a crowded pool, the Americans with World Cup aspirations are certainly making these weeks and months before the World Cup interesting.
With less than two months to go before the United States takes on England, here are 20 national team candidates who have either impressed, seen their stock fade, had their chances evaporate or kept alive slim hopes of making the U.S. World Cup team.
FIVE ON THE RISE
Marcus Hahnemann: The American goalkeeper wasn't even considered a lock Top Three selection six months ago, when he was simply a benchwarmer for Wolves. Plenty has changed since then. He has taken over as the starter for the Premier League club and he's been stellar in net, helping keep Wolves out of the relegation zone. In the process, Hahnemann has likely nudged aside Brad Guzan in the race to be the U.S. No. 2 behind Tim Howard.
Maurice Edu: In a crowded midfield, few have done more to improve their standing recently than Edu. He played well as a sub against the Netherlands, and has scored some big goals for Rangers. With playing time coming more regularly, he is starting to look like the favorite to start alongside Michael Bradley in central midfield.
Alejandro Bedoya: Every World Cup cycle there are players who emerge to earn a roster spot despite not having played in World Cup qualifying. Bedoya has the look of just such a player. He showed some good flashes in the U.S. team's loss to the Netherlands, and more importantly he has picked up where he left off in Sweden, where he is a regular starter and impressive contributor for Orebro.
Herculez Gomez: Forward is clearly a position of uncertainty for the national team, with Charlie Davies still recovering from his injuries and Brian Ching now fighting to make it back from a serious hamstring injury. Enter Gomez, who has scored eight goals in his past 11 matches for Mexican club Puebla. His refined finishing touch and obvious confidence make him a definite candidate to grab one of the U.S. team's final roster spots.
Edson Buddle: There isn't a hotter player in MLS than Buddle, who has notched five goals in three matches for the Los Angels Galaxy. He is probably still a longshot for the World Cup, but if Buddle keeps scoring goals, it will be tough for Bob Bradley to not call him up for the national team's pre-World Cup camp in May.
FIVE ON THE DECLINE
Ricardo Clark: When he made the move from MLS to Eintracht Frankfurt, it figured to help him solidify is starting place with the national team. Four months later, Clark has yet to make a single first-team appearance and has had to stand by while Edu, Benny Feilhaber and Jose Francisco Torres play regularly. While he should still get a national team camp invite, and still stands a good chance of making the team, if he gets no playing time in the next month he could be in jeopardy of losing his place.
Robbie Findley: After some less than impressive outings for the national team this winter, Findley has gotten off to a slow start for Real Salt Lake. He hasn't shown the flash and finishing ability he showed off in 2009, but he had better start soon because time is running out and other forwards are outperforming him.
DaMarcus Beasley: When Beasley put together his strong showing against the Netherlands, there was suddenly a feeling that he might be able to recapture his old form and return to being a key figure for the national team. Lack of playing time is threatening Beasley's World Cup chances yet again though, and with Bedoya's stock rising, Beasley may wind up the odd man out if he doesn't start playing soon.
Chad Marshall: It seems odd to think that the reigning two-time MLS Defender of the Year wouldn't be making the World Cup team, but Marshall hasn't had the best past 12 months and it just might cost him a ticket to South Africa. A knee injury has sidelined him to start the MLS season, and with Clarence Goodson solidifying his place behind Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit in the centerback pecking order, Marshall might find himself on the outside looking in.
Troy Perkins
Six months ago, Perkins would have been considered a strong candidate for the No. 3 goalkeeper position, but Hahnemann's renaissance has all but ended those chances. That, coupled with his shaky form early on for D.C. United makes you wonder if he would still be in the running for a spot even if there were an injury to the Big Three of Howard, Hahnemann and Guzan. The fact that Nick Rimando earned the start in the U.S. team's win against El Salvador in February would suggest Perkins may have fallen out of the picture.
FIVE OUT OF TIME
Kenny Cooper: Last summer he would have been considered a good candidate, but his move to Europe has been disastrous and even the unsettled state of the forward pool can't help him now.
Sacha Kljestan: A year ago he was starting World Cup qualifiers. Today, he just doesn't look like the same player. The talent in central midfield has improved, along with the depth, making Kljestan an extreme longshot just a year after looking like a lock.
Frank Simek: Simek has never quite recovered from the major ankle surgery that sidelined him for almost a year, a disappointing development considering the lack of options at right back after Jonathan Spector and Steve Cherundolo.
Edgar Castillo: Remember when he first declared his intent to play for the United States? He was seen as a potential savior at left back. Bob Bradley didn't see it that way and hasn't called Castillo up since the initial look in November.
Jermaine Jones: The former German international just never recovered from the broken leg that has cost him the entire Bundesliga campaign. He's still rehabbing and trying to overcome the pain in his leg, but at this point he may have to settle for representing the United States in the 2011 Gold Cup, assuming he ever recovers.
FIVE STILL ALIVE
Frankie Hejduk: Don't think Hejduk has a chance? Think again. If Bradley wants to carry four fullbacks he may be hard-pressed to pass up on a veteran leader like Hejduk. Injuries have plagued him, but he is healthy now and could make Bradley think hard about including him.
Chris Rolfe: With a goal and an assist in his past two matches for Aalborg, Rolfe looks to have finally settled in since making the move to Europe. His versatility and goal-scoring touch make him an intriguing possibility for Bradley to consider.
Jimmy Conrad: The Kansas City Wizards are 2-0 and have yet to allow a goal, and part of that success has to be attributed to Conrad, who should still be considered a candidate to return to the World Cup. There are younger options, but Conrad shouldn't be ruled out, particularly if any of the team's veteran defenders can't make the trip.
Omar Gonzalez: He got a call-up to the January national team camp, but didn't get a chance to play. All he's done since then is become the anchor in the back for an unbeaten and unscored upon Galaxy defense. He might still be a bit too raw for an international event like the World Cup, but if he continues to dominate, he just might earn a camp call-up for his trouble.
Freddy Adu: Okay, we'll admit it. He's a longshot, a real longshot, but he's been getting games in Greece for Aris FC and could wind up earning a call to the May camp if he can keep playing regularly and show Bradley he's matured as a player.
Ives Galarcep is FoxSoccer.com's newest senior writer who will be covering U.S. Soccer and MLS.
