Canales Corner: Team USA Europe Versus Team USA North America

Posted Wednesday, February 02, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

hough political turmoil made the cancellation of Egypt's planned friendly versus the USA basically inevitable, it's a shame that the February 9th match will not take place.

After all, the game was to be a proving ground for many key players angling for spots on the Gold Cup roster, the CONCACAF championship tournament taking place this summer.

However, there's really no reason to waste an international date - not when it's possible to still host a match in the stadium where the Gold Cup final will be played - the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

California is the perfect location for any game, given that the weather conditions will likely be ideal and the USA squad can train at the nearby facilities in Carson.

I've checked the Rose Bowl's event calendar, and the evening of the 9th is free (the world-famous Rose Bowl Flea Market that takes place on the same date is completed in the early afternoon, but perhaps the concessions stands that make tasty food will stay on to serve hungry soccer fans).

Now, it's much too late to expect any top-level international squad to be free on the international date, which is why USA soccer should exercise a little creativity in the determination of a rival.

Simply put, why not acknowledge that the players are really competing amongst themselves for a roster spot? It's time for the game that USA fans have whispered about and perhaps even played fantasy versions of on their FIFA game editions.

Team USA Europe versus Team USA North America.

Obviously, it wouldn't be fair to tax current USA coach Bob Bradley with coaching both squads, though he will of course be evaluating all the players involved.

A guest coach should be brought in who has ties to the USA soccer program, and yet can approach the players with a fresh perspective.

For both his familiarity with the USA system, and yet with his extensive experience abroad, Jurgen Klinsmann would be the ideal choice to take charge of Team USA Europe.

Bradley, who has kept close tabs on the USA players based at home, and who has never held a coaching position outside of the country, would take the reins of Team USA North America.

Anyone who believes that the North American squad would be at a tragic disadvantage forgets, perhaps, that leading USA goalscorer and assists leader Landon Donovan would captain the team.

A possible 18-man roster could consist of of goalkeeping duo Nick Rimando (experienced, great reactions), Matt Pickens (young, agile and strong) and in the defense, Heath Pearce, Miguel Angel Ponce, Omar Gonzalez, Jay DeMerit, and Jonny Bornstein. Two defenders have World Cup experience, while the rest have demonstrated impressive potential at the club level.

Dax McCarty, Donovan, Francisco Torres, Bobby Convey, Kenny Cooper, and Brek Shea would give Bradley various options in midfield. Donovan, Torres and Convey all have World Cup experience, while McCarty showed his vast potential in the recent friendly versus Chile.

Up front, there's a mix of intriguing talent available - Herculez Gomez, Juan Agudelo, Charlie Davies and Teal Bunbury. It would be the prefect opportunity to see if Davies is ready to contribute at a high level, while also giving young Agudelo a chance to continue to develop.

Team USA Europe could consist of stalwart goalkeeper Tim Howard, backed up ably by Brad Guzan.
Defenders might include Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo. Again, an effective mix of youth and experience would get an opportunity to work together.

In the midfield, Klinsmann would perhaps choose Clint Dempsey to feature along with Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden and Mikkel Diskerud.

The forward options could include Robbie Findley, Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle and Eddie Johnson.

I'm not going to pick a winner in this match-up, though I believe it would surely be a competitive contest, as well as an excellent barometer of which players, regardless of where they play club soccer, are truly ready to step forward and help Team USA - the completely united version - in the upcoming Gold Cup.