Welcome Back

It's been a few days since we last spoke. I apologize. As a Cleveland sports fan, I'm used to the depressing feeling of losing a game you weren't supposed to. But it still hurts. For those of you that have ever gone out early in a tournament or lost a big game, you understand the feelings that come along with it. The rest of the day blows and all you can do is think about what went wrong. Now imagine being the President of the Second-Guessing Bob Bradley club I spent one full day trying to figure out why Clark started, another trying to figure out what he said to Clark when he pulled him in the 30th minute, another wondering who could be the next coach (since in all likelihood its not me) and yesterday replaying Ghana vs USA over and over again with real tactics and better personnel decisions on FIFA10

But today is a new day. If you've never visited the site Yanks Abroad I suggest you do so. Some interesting stuff, plus you get to see all the guys that play overseas that you probably have never heard of like Erik Bejaminsen, Jamil Fearrington and Connor Tobin.

Looking at the US Roster from 2010 and going forward into 2014. The 23 man roster really probably won't have that much turnover.

At 42, Hahneman is obviously done, but Howard will only be 35 and barring some injury will still be at the top of his game. If Friedel EVER retires Guzan might actually get a chance to play.

Guys like Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Goodson and DeMerit are probably not going to be back at 35, 35, 32 and 34 respectively. Onyewu at 32 might be, especially if he starts getting opportunities at AC Milan.

Bradley took 9 midfielders to South Africa and there is a good chance that 7 will be back. Beasley got his last go around, though might still get some chances in qualifying. Clark will be 31 and how any coach could invite him back after his horrific performances in his last 2 FIFA tournaments (yeah, don't forget the "just add water" Red Card at the Confederations Cup) is beyond me. Donovan at 32 probably won't have the same pace, but will hopefully have moved to England and will have escaped the MLS in the prime of his career. Dempsey is actually a question in my mind. Can a player who doesn't track back that well now, and really only shines in the most opportune of moments be a guy you rely on at 31?

As for the strikers Buddle and Gomez are done at 33 and 32 (and they aren't exactly Cuahtemoc Blanco) Findlay will be 28, but I don't think he is going to get any faster in those 4 years which doesn't do any good

So let's argue that Onyewu, Dempsey and even Goodson are asked back in 2014. That leaves us with 1 keeper spot and 7 outfield players. Essentially returning two-thirds of the team.

I have a 15 player shortlist that might fill those 8 spots in order of who I think will. I already have my keeper, and I've got a 2014 starting lineup.

Chris Seitz is my goalkeeper. Unless you decide that the 3rd keeper needs to be a Veteran. But by that time the veterans are going to be old.

1. Freddy Adu - Adu will be 25 in 2014, interestingly enough Freddy could have already played in 2 World Cups and beaten the US twice had he picked a different Allegiance replaces Gomez

2. Charlie Davies - Coming back from the injury will be tough, but imagine having Altidore and Davies together for 3 years of qualifying (see, Forlan and Suarez) replaces Findlay

3. Robbie Rogers - Rogers needs to move overseas, but he is one of the best wingers in the pool, because he can play both sides, has speed and is willing to shoot and cross. Unlikely he takes Donovan's place but certainly in the 23. replaces Beasley

4. Jermaine Jones - So much was made of his switching to the US, but whether it makes a difference will depend on whether he plays in 2014. He will be 33, but that's not OLD for a defensive mid. replaces Clark

5. Marvell Wynne - Raw Talent comes to mind every time I watch this kid play. The guy has blazing speed and looks much bigger than his 5'9 listed height. I believe in 4 years he could develop into the type of RB that teams really worry about (Maicon, Sergio Ramos etc.). At one point I was telling anyone who would listen they should experiment with him up top, unfortunately nobody would listen. replaces Cherundolo

6. Kenny Cooper - Some coaches love big, lurping strikers. I don't mind them if you are winning by a goal with 10 minutes or down by a goal and you have to start playing kickball for the last 10 minutes. Cooper is 6'3 and would give the US some presence in the air. Something that Buddle never got a chance to do. replaces Buddle

7. Michael Orozco - Another guy who could do himself good to go outside of North America. In 2008 was one of the best U23 defenders at the Olympics until a stupid red card against Nigeria. replaces Bocanegra

8. Sacha Kljestan - I know it sounds crazy, but the move to Anderlecht is going to benefit him. Kljestan was terrible for the US except for in that one game. He needs to develop consistency but clearly has the ability to play. replaces DeMerit

9. Edgar Castillo

10. Chad Marshall

11. Brad Evans

12. Marcus Tracy

13. Eddie Gaven

14. Dax McCarty

15. Alejandro Bedoya

With that here is your 2014 Starting XI (of course depending on the draw)

GK Howard

LB Spector CB Onyewu CB Edu RB Wynne

LM Donovan CM Bradley CM Jones RM Holden

ST Altidore ST Davies

SUBS: (GK) Guzan, Seitz (DEF) Goodson, Bornstein, Orozco (MID) Feilhaber, Rogers, Torres, Dempsey, Kljestan (FOR) Adu, Cooper

This line-up of course does not reflect the fact that I am a late bloomer and might just make it at 26.