by Jeff Dieffenbach

Bruce Arena was all smiles after a youthful U.S. national side downed Costa Rica to win the Gold Cup on Saturday.  The coach is now faced with the on-going task of player evaluations to determine which 23 players will join him in Korea/Japan, but it is a luxury that Arena and US are facing for the first time. 

"I hope it gets real tough (the selection process).  It will be a nice problem to have if we have several players competing for 23 roster spots, and I think that will be the case,” Arena said after the match. 

Arena has said since the start of the selection process that it was one that would not be finalized until the May 21 when final rosters must be submitted to FIFA.  And while the U.S. gaffer is keeping his cards close to the chest, 365’s Jeff Dieffenbach has his own evaluation on who will be on the flight.

The roster will definitely have three goalkeepers and Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller are certainly both inked in on the final roster.  The biggest question not answered by the Gold Cup run was which U.S. based keeper will join the England based duo with Zach Thornton and Tony Meola the best guesses.

With Arena employing a 4-4-2 formation, he will have 4-6 true defenders with him.  Jeff Agoos was the only player to get pitch time during the Gold Cup, leaving openings for the other players vying for a spot. 

The list of players in the running are U.S. based Carlos Llamosa, Eddie Pope, Pablo Mastroeni, and a long shot in Carlos Bocanegra.  Players from Europe will be in the running. They are Steve Cherundolo, David Regis, Tony Sanneh, Gregg Berhalter, and Frankie Hejduk.

The midfield will have the most European flair with Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart and John O’Brien the backbone of the group in addition to the US defensive minded midfielder Chris Armas.
 
Cobi Jones will certainly make his last World Cup hurrah in Asia, but in all likelihood as a role player off the bench.

That leaves 2-4 spots for Eddie Lewis, Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Richie Williams, Clint Mathis, and a long shot in Brian Maisonneuve.

There will be plenty of fight for an attacking spot on the roster as no American has risen to the challenge of becoming a reliable go to goal scorer.
 
The contenders for a spot are Brian McBride, veteran Joe-Max Moore, Josh Wolff, Ante Razov, Jovan Kirovski, or Jeff Cunningham.

So, let’s grade the fourteen players who saw time in the Costa Rica match and consider their prospects for a June trip to South Korea (unless the United States makes the final in Yokahama, they will only see Japan as spectators). None of the fourteen turned in a weak performance, but solid won’t be enough for those still to win one of the relatively few “open” spots.

Josh Wolff (forward) – A: In the 37th minute, Wolff took a long through pass from Frankie Hejduk, dribbled for several steps with defender Luis Marin draped over his left shoulder, then slotted a roller into the lower right corner to give the US a 1-0 lead. Wolff’s pace gave Costa Rica trouble all afternoon. Arena will be hard-pressed to keep Wolff off of a squad sure to include Brian McBride and Joe-Max Moore. Jovan Kirovski and the recently injured Ante Razov figure to challenge for the other one to two forward slots.

Cobi Jones (midfielder) – A-: Will his engine ever quit? In a game in which he earned his 150th cap, Jones ran Costa Rica ragged at both ends of the pitch. South Korea was never in doubt, and still isn’t.

Pablo Mastroeni (defender) – A-: More than anyone else, Mastroeni improved his chances for Kimchi in June in a game that didn’t offer defenders much of an opportunity to shine. Mastroeni exhibited strong defense throughout the game, often characterized by hard stops well outside the penalty area. His ventures forward were few but well-considered. This voter gives him a coveted roster spot.

Eddie Lewis (midfield) – A-: Lewis was a force up the left side throughout the match. One play that stood out among many fine ones was a right feint/left acceleration at the edge of Costa Rica’s box in the 20th minute. Give him a ride to South Korea.

Brian McBride (forward) – A-: Already a shoe-in for the World Cup, McBride earned Golden Boot (MVP) and Golden Ball (top scorer) honors for the Gold Cup. His play against Costa Rica was strong, marred only by a poor collection that would have left him facing an open net from only a few yards out.

Jeff Agoos (defender) – B+: After a shaky start marked by loose passing, Agoos pulled it together. Defensively solid all game, his 63rd minute free kick goal cemented what was already a sure trip to South Korea.

Landon Donovan (midfielder) – B+: Like Wolff, Donovan kept Costa Rica off balance throughout the match, albeit with a bit less effectiveness. A natural forward, he played out of position well. Unfortunately, one of his talents appears to be suffering hard fouls (one leading to the Agoos free-kick goal), a trait that his slight frame may not tolerate for long. As long as he continues to improve, as he consistently has, Donovan should be bound for South Korea.

Kasey Keller (goalkeeper) – B+: Keller was solid between the pipes, but challenged only once, diving nicely to his right to deflect wide a well-placed strike from forward Wilmer Lopez. More than likely, Keller nailed down the number two spot behind Blackburn’s Brad Friedel. FIFA rules require three goalkeepers—Tim Howard, Tony Meola, and Nick Romando will battle for the third spot.

Chris Armas (midfielder) – B: Already assured of travel plans, Armas set the defensive tone early for the United States with 17th minute caution. Costa Rica never really threatened, in large part due to Armas’ efforts, but he never really had the chance to shine (in post game comments, Arena disagreed). Several loose touches and off-the-mark passes conspired to lower Armas’ grade.

Frankie Hejduk (defender) – B: Hejduk rarely had a chance to impress on defense. His long distance pass on Wolff’s goal certainly did impress, but was it enough? Here’s one vote that says close, but no.

Carlos Bocanegra (defender) – B-: Like Hejduk, Bocanegra didn’t show enough (more Costa Rica’s fault than his own) to garner a roster spot, but at the same time, neither did he show any weaknesses. Arena would do well to give him minutes in upcoming friendlies against European clubs—strong play might earn him a ticket.

Richie Williams (midfielder) – no grade: Coming in for Wolff in the 79th minute gave Williams enough of a chance to make his mark, but he failed to impress. A favorite of Arena’s, Williams might earn a spot in defensive midfield, but the vote here is a close no.

Brian West (forward) – no grade: West came in for Jones in the 85th minute and had no impact. West is unlikely to make the final roster.

Clint Mathis (forward) – no grade: Mathis entered for McBride in the 89th minute, still managing a solid chance on goal and a yellow card. Out for months since undergoing an ACL operation, Mathis needs game minutes to get back into the playing fitness that would make him a cinch for South Korea. Based on his past performance and versatility as a forward/midfielder, here’s a vote that says he makes it.

These are my picks as of early February:

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Tony Meola

Defenders (6): Jeff Agoos, Greg Berhalter, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Llamosa, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Pope

Midfielders (9): Chris Armas, Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis, John O’Brien, Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart

Forwards (4): Jovan Kirovski, Brian McBride, Joe-Max Moore, Josh Wolff

Over the final months the battles for these spots will become heated, but in the end will produce the most talented and prepared US squad ever to play in the World Cup final.

"If we can prepare 30-35 days before the World Cup we can put a good team on the field,” Arena said.  “During qualifying, it's basically players traveling from all over, having a couple of days to get your legs back and then stepping out on the field. In all honesty it's very difficult.   We're probably the only team in qualifying that does that.  Generally we're behind the eight ball when it comes to that competition.  If we can make up for the lost ground by having a good camp before we depart for Korea we will be a better team for it."