There isn’t much that Bob Bradley got wrong in his 23 choices to go to South Africa. The goalkeepers are all solid and Tim Howard is the obvious starting choice. We may see Marcus Hahneman in the Turkey game. I suspect after Guzan’s performance, that Hahneman will become the second choice.

The defenders are all solid, although Jonathan Bornstein remains a question mark. While he has better speed than any of the other defenders, he lacks positioning skills that make him a liability. Starting him at left back to deal with speedy wingers is a gamble. Also I was recently reminded by another PSP writer that Bocanegra did well against the Spanish as a left back, so maybe we don’t need Bornstein at all. I think we all know that Heath Pearce isn’t World Cup team material.

As for the midfielders I think these were all good choices. There isn’t anyone in particular that appeared to be a mistake. There isn’t anyone else who I would have brought either. This group looks good. I would like to see who starts on the wings against Turkey. I am assuming that Landon Donovan will be on one wing. The other spot could go to Beasley, Torres, Holden, or Feilhaber, if Dempsey doesn’t start as a striker.

The forwards also seem like strong picks. This is the only group that appears to be controversial. I would have thought that Brian Ching would have made the team as he appears to be the only true target forward amongst the American choices. However, I do think that the other choices could be more dangerous. I also question bringing in Herculez Gomez and Edson Buddle because they seem like similar players and have very little experience with the national team. I feel that their presence can only mess up the team chemistry. Also, why bring Robbie Findley if you have Buddle and Gomez. I definitely liked the soft touch and attacking mentality of Edson Buddle. He also showed good toughness and a willingness to get back defensively. Gomez just looked downright dangerous. However, I would like to see Dempsey and Altidore as our starting strikers.

This is a fairly talented team with a good chance of making it to the round of 16 in the World Cup. What did you think of the 23 man team?