GK, Tobias Szewczyk, New York Red Bulls (2009)
Szewczyk would be my number one headed into the tournament, but I'll be watching his performances carefully. He had a shocker in the first friendly against Brazil this month, but responded excellently. He's had some lapses in the past and that can't happen at a tournament like this.
GK, Philipp Eckle, FC Augsburg (2009)
Eckle would be my number two and I wouldn't hesitate to put him in the number one role if Szewczyk struggles. The question with Eckle is whether he's willing to be cap-tied to the United States or if he wants to delay that decision to see what his pathway looks like with Germany.
GK, James Donaldson, Atlanta United (2009)
Donaldson is the number two if Eckle doesn't want to commit yet and the number three if he does. He has a lot of experience with both club and country.
LB, Prince Forfor, Columbus Crew (2009)
Forfor is the unquestioned starting left-back at the moment, though his development this year hasn't taken as big a step forward as I'd like to see. From what we can see, Manu Romero hasn't looked quite the same since his injury, so I wouldn't bring him at this point.
RB, Nash Dearmin, Inter Miami (2009)
Dearmin is a bit of a long shot, but I really hope Aldaz is at least considering a bigger shakeup at this position. Dearmin has been in some recent camps and was around the group during the CONCACAF cycle.
LB/CB, Liam Vejrostek, FC Dallas (2009)
Vejrostek's versatility gets him in here because he can play LCB and he can spell Forfor at left-back.
CB, Tyson Espy, Orange County SC (2009)
Espy is my CB1 in this class and should be a starter at the U-17 World Cup.
CB, Astin Mbaye, AC Milan (2009)
Mbaye has been inconsistent, but he has a ton of talent so he'd compete for the starting role alongside Espy.
CB, Ethan Degny, Nice (2009)
I'd really like to see Degny back in the group. I think he has the potential to be a starter and he one of the highest ceilings of any center-back in this class.
DM, Landry Walker, San Antonio FC (2009)
Walker would be my more defensive midfielder to start against counter-attacking teams. He might be injured right now, so this is assuming he's fit to play.
DM, Peter Molinari, NYCFC (2009)
Molinari would be my more ball-control option in the pivot who'd start against teams that are going to press high.
CM, Lukas Bruegmann, Hoffenheim (2009)
Bruegmann would be another starter for me in a more advanced role in a double pivot.
CM, Ignacio Suarez-Couri, Atlanta United (2009)
Suarez-Couri can play as an eight or a ten and would provide versatility and quality on the ball.
CM/AM, Kaedren "KK" Spivey, San Jose Earthquakes (2009)
Spivey would be my starting attacking-mid who can also play in a more box-to-box role.
AM, Jai Bansoodeb, Brentford (2009)
Bansoodeb is a good lock-picking type of advanced midfielder who can help control the game or make plays.
W/RB, Myles Gardner, Houston Dynamo (2009)
Gardner could be a starting winger or right-back depending on how Aldaz wants to play.
W, Edward Wumah III, Girona (2009)
Wumah really impressed me against Brazil and U.S. Soccer should do everything in their power to get him to the U-17 World Cup. That decision would mean he's foregoing Norway call-ups for the foreseeable future. If he accepts, he'd be the starting right-winger for me.
W, Makai Wells, New England Revolution (2009)
Wells can start when Gardner is playing right-back and has some experience as a nine as well. He just got back to full health and has looked dangerous in MLS Next Pro.
W, Omar Hassan, Seattle Sounders (2009)
It's been a while since Hassan has been in the group. My hope is he can build fitness and form over the next few months and get his name back in the mix. His speed can be a real weapon.
CF, Malik Jakupovic, Philadelphia Union (2009)
Jakupovic is the unquestioned starting striker for this team.
CF, Zidane Cadet, Inter Miami (2009)
I've been pounding the table for Cadet for a while. My guess is that his selection is highly unlikely at this point, but not impossible.
