- by Angel Soto, writing from California
The true battles will be along the flanks of the pitch and right down the middle of it too. Key players for the US flanks could be Robbie Rogers, Alejandro Bedoya, Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, and maybe Eddie Gaven. For South Africa, Tsepo Masilela, Anele Ngcongca, Steven Pienaar, and Siphiwe Tshabalala should give the young American wingers and fullback a real test. In the middle of the park the United States will have a 2009 Gold Cup veteran possibly leading the midfield, as Logan Pause makes a return to the team. Brian Carroll also gets a second chance and could very well get an opportunity to play. Columbus Crew teamate, Eddie Gaven could also play in the middle as he had played with the Crew during the MLS campaign. But the young player every US Mens National team fan should be ready to see will be Stabaek (Norway) midfielder, Mikkel Diskerud. He is one of many young players US fans are excited about seeing, others would include Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Tim Ream, and many others on this squad.
Here are the players to look out for in the match:
Teal Bunbury
He is a big central foward with surprising pace and has a great knack for goals. He tends to shoot from outside the box but also loves to play the final pass for an assist. He brings a combination of power and speed, he is very young and can be definitely have a future in Bob Bradley's squad.
Juan Agudelo
The young New York Red Bull striker, as the US has had no depth in the fron line, it seems Bob Bradley has took the opportunity of this friendly to look at two very talented and capable strikers in Bunbury and Agudelo. Juan is quick and has a great first touch and could be a threat for South Africa, Wednesday. He is a bit smaller than Bunbury but he is also faster, he is stronger than most people give him credit for and can easily change speeds as he showed in his first start vs. San Jose in the MLS Playoffs. He too loves to find an incoming teamate for a goal but like Bunbury he is not afraid to shoot either.
Mikkel Diskerud
This young up and coming midfielder can be the next one of the great crop of midfielders the US has been able to produce. He is a very accurate passer, and he can score from anywhere. He is a creative midfielder, something the US hasn't really much of, although there are the likes of Benny Feilhaber and Jose Francisco Torres, but he brings a natural central attacking midfielder mentality. He like Feilhaber can also play on the wings.
Tim Ream
There is no question that the defense needs to be rebuilt, and one solution can be Tim Ream. The New York Red Bull star has made a name for himself in the MLS in just his rookie season, although he did struggle early in the season, he has mastered the play of MLS. He brings a big pressence in the box and can pass out of the back really well, something the US has been lacking for quite some time. He brings in a big soccer brain, and like man US defenders, on set pieces he can score in loads too.
Eric Lichaj
Eric Lichaj has been under the radar for quite some time and his club team has shown confidence in bringing him in really important games. This past weekend he came in on the 88th minute to try to stop the juggernaught that is Manchester United that had just scored 2 brilliant goals to tie up the match. Lichaj's Aston Villa was able to hold the giants to a tie. Lichaj showed great speed and great crossing ability from his fullback spot against Columbia in the last USMNT game and looks to build up more on his very early career. This could be either Jonathan Soector or Bornstein's time may be up. This South African team with Steven Pienaar and Shipwe Tshabalala should give hime a real test.
Alejandro Bedoya
Yes we have seen Bedoya quite a few times over the last few months, but I believe this will be his most important match so far, as the United States' attack will rely much upon to provide the service to either Robbie Findley, Juan Agudelo or Teal Bunbury. He will have a leadership role in this match and many hope he grabs it by the horns.
Gale Agbossoumonde
Gale was a big surprise for many fans to be included here, but he had a succesful 2009 U20 World Cup last year and looks to impress Bob Bradley. He is currently on loan with Sporting Braga(Portugal) from his team Miami FC, but he seems to be another option Bob Bradley might look upon to for rebuilding his once reliable defense. with very little veterans on the team it seems Gale will have an opportunity to play with only Clarence Goodson, Nat Borchers and Tim Ream in competition for playing time.
