You can file this under: Other Picture Postcards

...But since I am a Soccer fanatic I must blog away about the newly released US national team roster. First let me say that I believe that baring injuries, the best US team we could have fielded will likely be in the starting 11 with maybe one exception. But more on that later. Let me lay them out player by player and comment a bit on each one I think are noteworthy

Landon Donovan F/M - The great white hope of american soccer according to most pundits and gurus. Donovan is a great player with speed, skill, intelligence and field vision. In those areas he may live up to his billing. However in my view he often lacks heart and seems un-motivated on the field much of the time. He has the tendency to completely take over a game single handedly, but also the potential to get totaly lost and become ineffective and invisible. A great example would be the fact the while other lesser US players have moved on to Europe, he is still languishing in what most fans and players consider a decent 1st division league at best relative to the level of soccer being played around the world. My bottom line for Donovan is, which one will show up to the World Cup? Will it be the world beating, fan thrilling Donovan that got us to the 1/4's in 02, or the boring, invisible Donovan that allows his club team to lose 1-0 to the Columbus Crew?

John O'Brien M - Pound for pound the best soccer player to come out of America yet (yes better than Donovan). His vision on the field when he is in form puts him in the class of Europe's best in my opinion. He has soccer instincts like some of the worlds best. Only problem is he is a China Doll, lately he is injured more than he is healthy. The bottom line for him is his fitness, if he is in form and fit the US will benefit greatly, he is the kind of player that could be the difference between a 1st round exit and a trip to the semi's. I am praying for you John!!

Brian McBride F - Great in the air, knows how to be in the right place at the right time, a true poacher of the first order. His success in the EPL has proved that he belongs on that stage and can compete at the highest levels. He is getting old though, he is less fit and more fragile than he was 4 years ago and that will show over the long haul if the US make it out of the group stage. Don't get me wrong though, this is another impact player who can be a game changer as well with a guy like O'Brien or Lewis serving him up good balls in the 6 yard box.

Bobby Convey M/D - An up and comer. I think that Convey has reached his stride and will only get better. He is young, fit, has the experience of playing in the English Championship to draw from and has a wicked shot from the left side. His new found confidence and skill showed against Germany last month and I was highly impressed by his poise. He will make a difference in the cup if he plays. Watch for him to fill in both at midfield and on the left side of defense.

Eddie Lewis M/D - A true working man's player. He is the guy that you rarely notice, but that makes all the difference in a game. He has a great touch on the ball, lots of high level experience and poise. Bruce will have him playing left back this time around and if he stays healthy not many in the world can get past him on the flank. He is also very aggressive going forward and a great crosser of the ball.

Cory Gibbs D - My favorite to start in the middle defense. He is big, fast, tough, smart and very tough to beat one on one. The only problem will be, does he start? For some reason Bruce is partial to Eddie Pope and I think he may get the start over Gibbs. I can hope though right?

Eddie Pope D - Some of you might think I should be showing Eddie more love, but I just do not trust this guy to ancor a world class backline at his age and with his fitness. I know Bruce Arena will start him in leiu of Gibbs and my fear is he will become the 2006 version of Jeff Agoos (argh!). I am hoping I'm wrong but with what I have seen of him lately he looks like his heart is just not in this at all. He makes stupid mistakes, gets injured easily and is really not that tough all things considered. He has been bounced around the MLS the last 5 years and never played in Europe that I know of and now sits on one of the, if not the worst team in the MLS. Real Salt Lake. Like I said I hope he proves me wrong, but I also hope that Bruce is smart enough to have Gibbs up and ready in the bullpen in case he gives up a stupid goal in the first 20 against the Cezch's

Demarcus Beasley M - Possibly the US European based player in the best form at the moment. He is left footed, greasy fast, and has great skill on the ball. He has benefitted greatly from his time with PSV in the Dutch league and will bring that to the Cup. His problem is he's small, very small and he gets knocked around a lot. This could be a problem with some of the larger defenders and flank players on opposing sides. But if Bruce has his game plan in order they can avoid a lot of that and get him through in attack where we all want him.

Oguchi Onyewu D - Another favorite of mine to start alongside Gibbs at Central defense. He is huge, fast for his size and what I have seen of him in qualifying has quieted my doubts about his ability to hold off more skilled players. He is also great in the air both offensively and defensively and will be a total buttkicker, enforcer type in the middle.

Clint Dempsey M/F - His first World Cup, but I think he is more than ready for the challenge. Don't know if he will start if John O'Brien stays healthy but I can still daydream about him in a 3-5-2 can't I? Dempsey is the future of American soccer. He is a player who will (if his career continues on course) play at the highest level at a premier European club one day. Mark my words. I am very excited to see what he does this summer.

Steve Cherundolo D - He is probably second best as far as form in a European player goes. He is a player who is very comfortable playing at the highest levels, is very calm and collected on defense, rarely ever gives the ball away, and never in his own third. Great flank runner and crosser of the ball as well. He is the perfect choice to start on the right defense.

Eddie Johnson F - Not so sure about this kid. He shows great potential, but like Donovan makes me feel like he lacks motivation to score and impact the game when he is off or not interested. He also tends to disappear at times, but can be extremely dangerous with the right players behind him in midfield. I believe he may start alongside McBride and his Cup will depend on who is serving him through balls.

Pablo Mastroeni M/D - Another very hard worker. He is the guy you want clipping at the heels of guys like Nedved and Totti when they are trying to get forward. Bruce will start him in the defensive midfield and there is nobody who can contend for that spot unless he gets hurt, then Olsen steps in.

Well, those are my 11 favorite field players w/ one not so favorite thrown in for good measure from Bruce's roster. Be sure to check out the full roster posted here and don't forget to watch our boys kick butt in the World Cup this summer!!