U.S. Pool Party: 10 players who deserve a look

The following is a list of American players who have earned a call-up to U.S. national team camp and who have so far gotten the cold shoulder from B.S. Bradley. Some have been capped, others haven’t, but each player could contribute if given a chance.

10) Jorge Flores (Chivas USA – striker) Flores snuck onto this list with an impressive string of performances this season in MLS for the McGoats. He’s had very limited experience (a U.S. U20 call-up where he scored against Argentina’s U20), but he is smart around the ball, quick and opportunistic. Like a younger, shorter version of Ante Razov (ok, so maybe that’s not a huge compliment).



9) Pat Noonan (Aalesunds FK – midfielder/forward) Ok, so they’re not all spring chickens, but 27-year-old Pat Noonan was vastly underrated in MLS and now that he is playing in Norway he’s virtually forgotten. But like a well-adjusted toddler, he plays well with others (Twellman, Dorman, etc.). Injuries marred his first attempt with the national team, he deserves another in the twilight of his career.


8) Ned Grabavoy (San Jose – midfielder) Playing on an expansion team (or a resurrected franchise) can make it tough to win a spot with the Nats, but Grabavoy is as consistent a defensive midfielder as I’ve seen in MLS. Solid in defense, he can move forward and serve long balls into the box. With injuries in the midfield, he’d be a decent insurance policy.







7) Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio – midfielder) After he shipped off the Santander, Szetela appears to have left the national team pool to relax in the Spanish sun. Time for a dip, Danny. A tough central midfielder with a never-say-die attitude. With Benny Feilhaber’s status in question, we need depth in the center of the pitch.



6) Corey Ashe (Houston – winger) A speedy wing player, Ashe would be a nice change of pace off the bench. He’s able to get behind players, and he is a decent crosser of the ball. Like many players on this list, he’s not very experienced but sometimes pace can make up for mistakes.



5) Robbie Rogers (Columbus – winger/forward) I have seen the future of American soccer and his name is alliterative. Rogers should be in camp. He should get minutes. He’s young, but look what the youngsters brought back in the 2002 World Cup. Sometimes you gotta go with the fearless youngster over the old timers (I’m looking at you Eddie Lewis).

4) Michael Parkhurst (New England - center back) The U.S. is set at center back, but depth is a nice problem to have. Parkhurst, MLS's defender of the year, has had nary a call-up since the 2007 Gold Cup a year ago, which doesn't make sense considering this guy's consistency and calm demeanor. He never seems to panic and he uses good technique to adjust when beaten when other guys would just hack a guy down.

3) Adam Cristman (New England – striker) Let’s face it. The U.S. is a bit soft up front these days. Cristman could provide a physical presence with a bit better touch than Brian Ching. He’s a inexperienced, a bit raw, but each MLS season he seems to be moving in the right direction. And the U.S. needs any offensive firepower they can muster.





2) Marc Burch (DC United – left back) Bornstein? Pearce? Could the answer really be a forward-turned-defender from the University of Maryland? Burch has the deep crossing ability and the defending acumen to be the possible answer at this troublesome spot.










1) Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas – forward) If you haven’t heard of Arturo Alvarez than you haven’t watched FC Dallas this season. He was included in a few Olympic team camps, but he’s never been given a chance to play on the senior team. Dallas is struggling a bit this year, but it isn’t due to Alvarez who has three goals and four assists. He has excellent touch around the goal and would combine well with Landon Donovan (especially if the U.S. used LD as a withdrawn forward or midfielder). He's lightning quick and provides decent service from the corners. He could be a nice addition to the squad ... which is exactly why Bradley will overlook him.