U.S. roster designed to win the Gold Cup

Who would have thought that a roster announcement that provided so many answers could pose so many new questions?

Greg Bartram/WireImage

Veteran Frankie Hejduk is back in the mix for the U.S.

The U.S. national team's Gold Cup roster, Bob Bradley's first official roster as head coach, is a strong, well-balanced one, but it is one that has some fans scratching their heads.

Before getting into some of the more popular questions surrounding this particular 23-man roster, we need to put it in perspective. The Gold Cup is not a World Cup warm-up or a friendly; it is this country's regional championship. No, it may not have the same worldwide prestige of Copa America or the European Championships, but it is still a significant trophy and it happens to be one the U.S. team is defending.

Bradley set out to name a roster that could win this tournament, not a young roster that would serve as the most premature World Cup preparation squad in international soccer history. Yes, there were some young players chosen for the benefit of giving them valuable experience, but there were also prospects who were excluded in favor of veterans. Many of the seasoned players who were selected over up and comers won't be in the 2010 World Cup roster mix, but they are playing very well right now, which gives the team a better chance of winning this summer.

With that in mind, here are answers to five key questions surrounding the 23-man U.S. Gold Cup roster named on Thursday.

1. Why the old timers?

The inclusion of Frankie Hejduk and Steve Ralston set off alarm bells among fans who don't want any reminders of the pre-Bradley era. Here's the thing folks, Hejduk and Ralston are playing some of the best soccer of any players in MLS at their respective positions. That, coupled with their national team experience and an assortment of injuries to other players, made Bradley's decision to bring them in an easy one.

With veteran leaders such as Steve Cherundolo and Jimmy Conrad out due to injury, there was a leadership void that Ralston and Hejduk both help fill and they will make contributions at relatively thin positions.

2. Isn't Michael Parkhurst too small?

If you are a U.S. national team fan who doesn't watch much MLS (apparently they exist), then you might wonder how such a small center back could be a national team player. If you watch MLS, and particularly New England, you know that Parkhurst is one of the league's best defenders and is only going to get better. What he lacks in size he makes up for in an uncanny ability to read the game and put himself in good positions.

Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit are ahead of him in the team's center-back pecking order, but Parkhurst will earn his first cap and officially start a national team career that is going to surprise some people.

3. Can Brian Ching shake off the rust?

After offseason knee surgery, Ching is back to reclaim the starting forward job that seemed destined to be his once Brian McBride retired. He has struggled to regain his full fitness in MLS play and appears to finally be healthy, but his form is still in question.

Although Ching's struggles in MLS this season are largely due to his own poor play, The Dynamo's

attacking woes don't help matters. Bradley has seen Ching battle in MLS play and he will be banking on him to respond well once he's paired with Landon Donovan again.

4. Where are Heath Pearce, Bobby Boswell and Michael Harrington?

This one is related to the first question because of Bradley's decision to select Hejduk but pass on other quality defensive prospects. What is easy to forget is that the group of defenders Bradley did select is plenty young, with Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector and Frank Simek offering a good balance with the veterans on the roster.

Pearce's omission raised the most eyebrows because he has become a bit of a fan favorite, although that fact could be more related to his penchant for giving good interviews and not his actual play on the field. It's no secret that Jonathan Bornstein is Bradley's favorite option at left back, since Bocanegra and Spector can also play there Pearce wasn't needed in this group. That said, if he doesn't make the Copa America roster then you can start your "Bradley doesn't like Pearce" conspiracy theory.

5. Why have two high-profile goalkeepers?

Bradley unveiled one of the worst-kept secrets in U.S. Soccer on Thursday: Tim Howard has moved ahead of Kasey Keller in the national team goalkeeper pecking order. The more important statement Bradley made regarding this subject was that he has spoken to Keller about this arrangement -- meaning Keller is on board with the setup. Keller is coming off a right-leg injury and feels he is ready to play.

So why no MLS goalkeeper at No. 2 instead of Keller? Consider the two best candidates for that spot, New England's Matt Reis and Los Angeles' Joe Cannon. Bradley is already taking the Revs best forward (Taylor Twellman) and defender (Parkhurst) so taking their goalkeeper to simply ride the pine would have been unfair to New England. It is a courtesy that Bradley is surely hoping to parlay into the Revs allowing Twellman and/or Parkhurst to play in both the Gold Cup and Copa America. The same can be said for Cannon, whose Galaxy could be asked to let their best player (Donovan) compete in both summer tournaments.

Say what you want about the U.S. roster, but it is pretty strong considering the litany of injuries that ruled out several quality players. Even with injuries to the likes of Cherundolo, Conrad, Chris Rolfe, Marcus Hahnemann and Chris Albright there is still enough talent in the U.S. pool to leave fans feeling that some very capable players were left out. In that context, this summer's two-tournament scheduled suddenly doesn't seem so impossible for the U.S. national team to handle.

MLS Game Previews

"Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." Okay, so maybe quoting LL Cool J is a bit much, but can you blame me for being happy about following up a donut two weeks ago with my second unbeaten week of the season?

That is MLS for you, one week there are upsets galore. The next week you see the league powers flexing their muscle. The truth is that there are only two teams that should be considered true juggernauts, the Red Bulls and Revolution. The other 11 teams are pretty similar and can beat each other at a pretty even clip. Well, except for Real Salt Lake, which still hasn't won a game this year.

What else is making things tough? Mo Johnston's game of musical jerseys. He is trading players like penny stocks, which is making it difficult to get a gauge on his team and the squads that are lining up to talk trade with him.

Assuming Toronto isn't pulling off anymore blockbusters Friday, here is how this weekend's games should go:

Saturday

Kansas City Wizards at New England Revolution

The red-hot Revs are at home against the sometimes warm Wizards. Kansas City hasn't posted an impressive win since its season opening victory against a flat D.C. United squad, so why should you believe the Wizards can win on the road against New England? You shouldn't. Taylor Twellman and rookie Adam Cristman find the net as New England moves back ahead of the Red Bulls atop the East standings. Revolution 3, Wizards 1.

Houston Dynamo at D.C. United

Remember when this would have been considered a lock MLS Cup Final preview? These teams have struggled to find good form and consistency all year, and now they meet in a match that could leave the loser near the bottom of their conference standings.

D.C. seems like the easy choice, playing at home and coming off an important win against Toronto. Houston, however, will be looking to rebound from a two-loss week and will play with a sense of urgency. Brian Ching ends his scoring drought and the Dynamo move a step closer to .500. Dynamo 1, DC United 0.

Toronto FC at Columbus Crew

After three well-played games and two memorable home wins, Toronto hits the road to face a Columbus squad that is winless in May. Can TFC duplicate its exciting attack away from BMO Field? More importantly, how will Toronto respond to the arrival of Jeff Cunningham? Look for Cunningham to burn his former club and make a strong Toronto debut and Crew fans to start up the "Fire Sigi" chants. Toronto FC 2, Crew 1.

Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids

You think a few players in this game had this date circled? The blockbuster Joe Cannon for Herculez Gomez and Ugo Ihemelu trade has worked out well for both teams, but you know the players involved are out to burn their former squads. The Rapids haven't had the best of success at their new stadium (Colorado is winless in three home matches in May) and the Galaxy have the elements to come into Dick's Sporting Goods Park and take a win. Colorado has never been able to handle Landon Donovan, and you can expect the U.S. captain to flourish, while Cannon puts on a show for his former fans. Galaxy 2, Rapids 0.

FC Dallas at Chivas USA

This should be a gimme shouldn't it? The Goats haven't won since Amado Guevara walked off the field last month, (0-2-2 since) while FC Dallas has won three straight matches to move into first place in the West. Juan Carlos Toja and Pablo Richetti are playing well for the Hoops and that fact should translate to success against Chivas USA. However, look for Chivas USA to stop the bleeding as Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo have success against FC Dallas' suspect back-line. Chivas USA 2, FC Dallas 1.

Sunday

Real Salt Lake at Chicago Fire

Call this the Sad Slump Derby. The Fire are on a four-game skid, while RSL is still searching for its first win of the season. Real Salt Lake may have just raised the white flag on this season after dealing 2006 MLS goals leader Jeff Cunningham for Alecko Eskandarian, but Jason Kreis' slumping offense could find some relief against a Chicago defense that hasn't exactly been stingy of late (five goals allowed in two matches). With Chris Rolfe unlikely to play, the Fire needs Chad Barrett and Calen Carr to play much better than they did in the 3-0 loss to the Red Bull on Thursday. Look for both players to rebound against Salt Lake's shaky defense. Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 1.

Last week: 5-0-2

Overall: 20-15-9

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com.