If there is any position on the field that has to produce for the US national team, it’s the forward spot. The USA has never had a top class international striker, somebody like Gary Lineker (England), Paolo Rossi (Italy), Ronaldo (Brazil), or in current times Javier Hernandez (Mexico) or Miroslav Klose (Germany). These are players who were or are a constant threat to score and have produced goals in big games at big tournaments for both club and country.
In recent times, the USA has had some excellent defensive forwards. Players like Brian Ching and Brian McBride built their reputations on physical play and contributing to set pieces at both ends of the field. Even though McBride scored 30 goals for the USA and was a great example of hard work and leadership, he would never be put in the class of the other forwards named above.
There have been flashes of hope. Eddie Johnson looked like he had all the physical tools, but his work ethic and soccer brain never improved and he’s not even with a club now. Robbie Findley parlayed one great year for Real Salt Lake into a contract with Nottingham Forest, but is off the radar. Kenny Cooper lacks the foot speed to play as a small forward and doesn’t want to be a big forward even though he’s 6’3″. The most crushing blow, however, came in October of 2009 when Charlie Davies broke team curfew to go out partying and ended up with massive injuries in a car accident.
Eliminating those disappointments leaves a very thin group of players to compete for spots in the senior national team. In fact, the top three forwards are all age eligible for the London Olympics. They are Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, and Teal Bunbury.
Altidore seems like he’s been around for a long time, but he only just turned 22. After a big money move to Villareal didn’t work out, he’s now doing quite well for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. He is a powerfully built young man who has to refine his touch. Playing in the Netherlands with the emphasis on skill development will do wonders for his game. He has already shown that in the recent friendly games. He has also shown that he plays better in a two forward setup where he isn’t isolated against three or four defenders.
Agudelo and Bunbury have taken advantage of US manager Juergen Klinsmann’s extensive European contacts to do training stints abroad. Agudelo is now at Liverpool for a bit. Bunbury was supposed to train with Bolton. The two MLS forwards have had mixed club fortunes. Agudelo just couldn’t seem to find a way to get playing time even as the Red Bulls floundered about with tie after tie when they needed goals. Bunbury scored nine goals for Sporting Kansas City and was a key part of a three-man front line that divided twenty-seven goals evenly.
After the young trio, a number of veterans who have been on the fringes of the national team without ever securing a spot make up the depth. Edson Buddle, who plays for the last place team in the German second division, played a great game against Slovenia, scoring the team’s opening goal. He looked hungry. He looked interested. Buddle has been a frustrating player over the years though. One game he can be brilliant, but then he’ll disappear for next few. At 29, he seems like a makeweight until the younger players are ready to take over.
Herculez Gomez had actually washed out of MLS. His clubs here insisted on playing him as a wide midfielder when he’s really a center forward. In Mexico, he has blossomed as a threat off the bench for several clubs, most recently Tecos. Bob Bradley included him in his World Cup squad, but never fully trusted him with much playing time. Klinsmann hasn’t even bothered. Could he be one that got away?
Ignoring the possibility of Clint Dempsey and/or Landon Donovan playing at forward, there is precious little else in the pool. Chris Wondolowski has had two great MLS seasons in a row, but as a late developer stands little chance of becoming a national team player. Findley, Davies, and Cooper would have to show marked improvement to get a call.
That leaves a few youngsters in MLS to look at in January. C.J. Sapong of Sporting Kansas City won the MLS Rookie of the Year award with five goals and five assists. At one point during the season he played ahead of Teal Bunbury. When Omar Bravo went down with an injury, Sapong stepped in full time. Justin Braun, who was recently traded to Montreal from Chivas USA, had eight goals and five assists on a horrible team. It was his second solid season in a row. Chris Pontius of DC United had seven goals and five assists in twenty-five games.
It will be interesting to see who Klinsmann calls in for his January training camp. All the MLS players are possibilities, because no overseas forwards will be available. There are jobs to be won ahead of the opening World Cup qualifier in June. Considering the lack of goals during his first seven games in charge, Klinsmann has to look at every possibility.
******Sources: www.ussoccer.com, www.mlssoccer.com