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Ives Galarcep gives us a few names to watch out for as we ponder who Bradley will take to the Gold Cup. All fine selections, but without a big surprise – though that isn’t Ives’ fault. What, is he supposed to pick a loser just to stick out, as ESPN apparently had John Kruk do on Baseball Tonight? Ah, sports journalism (can the J-word even be used here?). So good sometimes I want to cry.

The problem with the list, any list: there are no stand-outs. How do you pick between Harrington, Parkhurst, and Dunivant? You could even throw Boswell in there. Is there really that big of a difference between the players? Beckerman, Mapp, Kljestan? As national teams like Brazil cast off would be MLS stars, the US MNT is forced into borderline players. It’s a reality that is unavoidable, and makes Bradley’s job particular difficult (and intriguing).

Ideally, US MNT players should be solid starters on foreign soil or killing it in MLS. Clearly, that is not our present situation for even 11 starters. Who Bradley chooses to put on the field this summer will speak more about American soccer than the wins and losses (though the same might not be able to be said for Bradley who (re)opens his campaign with the more pressing Gold Cup).

At least Onyewu has some free time this summer to put an unusual season behind him. What better way to shop himself after a less than stellar season than by a strong international summer?