The Gold Cup will begin on July 4^th against Grenada. Bob Bradley and his staff can use this as an opportunity to evaluate players on the fringe of making the 2010 World Cup roster, as well as looking at young players that could play be a part of the next qualification cycle.

I have eliminated players based on the following, which the USSF should replicate:

-Players who have consistently played for their European club and played in the Confederations Cup
-All MLS players currently on the Confederations Cup roster
-Any player under consideration for the U20 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins

Guzan is a lock but needs to get more experience. Hahnemann and Perkins are the leading candidates for the third spot, and this competition could determine the front-runner.

Defenders: Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, Michael Parkhurst, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marco Vidal, Steve Cherundolo

Bradley needs to sort out the back-up center defenders. Goodson has been having a great season in Norway and Parkhurst is always reliable. Cameron has anchored MLS’ best defense and would provide an attacking option from the back. Orozco should be given a further look.

Cherundolo, pending his health, needs to get some time. Orozco and Cameron can back-up if necessary. Frankie Simek is an option but is also battling injury concerns.

The left back position is the weakest in the player pool. Heath Pearce, who is currently without a club, needs to showcase his skills. Vidal, who plays for Indios, should be a given a run-out to see if he can add depth.

Midfielders: Freddy Adu, Stuart Holden, Colin Clark, Robbie Rogers, Brad Evans, Chris Pontius, Pablo Mastroeni, Dax McCarty, Santino Quaranta

The holding midfield role will be occupied by Mastroeni and McCarty. McCarty is quietly having a good season for FC Dallas.

Adu should be given the entire tournament to see what he can do as an attacking midfielder. Holden can also fill in.

The player pool is in desperate need of speedy wingers who can stretch the game for the US against certain opponents. Rogers and Clark are capable of doing that on the left side. Holden should be given the most minutes on the right side.

Strikers: Kenny Cooper, Jeremiah White, Cam Weaver, Robbie Findley

Cooper needs to have a good tournament to prove he is capable of scoring at the international level. Findley is having a good MLS season, but his sprained ankle could keep him off the roster. Weaver is a bit of a long-shot, but he can score goals and hold the ball up.

Do you see any glaring omissions? Should other MLS players be given a shot? What about some of the other European players? Comment below.

-A day after the US dropped its opening match against Italy; the soccer blogosphere is buzzing about the game. In the other Group B match, Brazil beat back Egypt when Kaka converted a penalty in stoppage time.

-Player ratings from the US game: Soccer Academics, Soccer365, MLS Talk, Goal

-If you were hopeful that Jermaine Jones would be available for the next qualifiers, Soccer By Ives is reporting that Jones will not be eligible to play for the US until October.

-Pat Noonan was traded yesterday from the Crew to the Colorado Rapids. If the Rapids can get steady production and keep Noonan healthy, it will be a fair deal for both sides. Paul Bravo explains the trade on the Rapids team blog.

-Extra Time is reporting that the Red Bulls have former Rapid keeper Bounda Coundoul in for a trial. It also reports that a handful of others, including Red Bull Salzbarg winger Ernst Obster, are currently in camp training with the senior team.

- The Seattle Times has an article on Fredy Montero and explains that Sigi Schmid has not lost confidence in the youngster.

-The Cam Weaver discussion continues, via the New York Times Goal blog.

-Behind the Shield discusses the youth players that recently went on a trip to Madrid

-The USMNT will open Confederations Cup play today at 2:25PM ET on ESPN. Read my game preview here. In yesterday’s Group A action, the hosts South Africa tied Iraq 0-0. Spain, on the other hand, looked like the world’s best team in a 5-0 drubbing of New Zealand.

-In MLS action, the Crew came back and scored two unanswered goals to beat Chivas USA 2-1. Reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored a brace for the home side.

-There are many game previews circulated around the Internet for today’s match.  Ives breaks down the starting lineup and discusses several matchups to watch for. The Original Winger has also posted a brief preview. No Short Corners examines five key matchups to watch for. The USMNT blog has a couple of interesting items: a training report from the Loftus Versfeld and five did you knows about today’s match.

- The Soccer Insider speculates that Schelotto could be the MVP once again, in his Monday morning MLS observations. Goal has named their MLS team of the week.  MLS Talk recaps Week 13.

-Cam Weaver has emerged as a popular topic, since his trade from the Earthquakes to the Dynamo.  MLS Daily has named him its player of the week.MLS Talk is speculating that he could be the next big thing in American soccer.