A little tip on Freddy Adu and the U.S. World Cup roster

The new U.S. Soccer media guide is out, just in times for tonight’s friendly against Honduras. That puppy will get some serious use this year, probably a lot more than in 2K9. It’s a World Cup year, which means scribes, bloggers and broadcasters from around the globe will be turning the pages for reference and historical data, all the better to inform their opinions.

What influence does the U.S. Soccer media guide have on actual selections for this summer’s World Cup? None, of course.

On the other hand, the content can probably tell us something about who may or may not be selected for South African departure. Nothing definite, obviously, but it takes us a little further down the road of discovery. After all, the U.S. Soccer spokesmen and content producers who assemble the annual guide are close to the coaches and, generally, know what’s what around the team.

There are 33 individual player profiles in this year’s guide. You can presume that these are the 33 performers adjudged to have the greatest odds of being selected for South Africa.

Care to take any guesses as to who is not on the list?

If you said Freddy Adu, then you sir or madam, should reward yourself with a delicious adult beverage at kickoff time tonight. Cheers!

Two others whose profiles won’t be found in the volume: Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo. Neither is a major surprise, although quite a few fans still believe Jones should be selected, if healthy. And he may be called upon yet – but it’s fairly unlikely at this point. The Bundesliga man can certainly be a game-changer. On the other hand, manager Bob Bradley would be taking a major risk, potentially jeopardizing the all-important team chemistry by adding someone (who has been injured all year, no less) into the mix at the 11^th hour. Remember: there will be only three, possibly four, matches after tonight before the Americans are on the field against England in the pressure cooker of a World Cup.