U.S. soccer roster starting to take shape for World Cup

You can see the United States' World Cup roster slowly taking shape, and it includes a few asterisks.

That's really no surprise. Injuries happen, even after the roster is announced, like Chris Armas blowing out his knee in a 2002 warmup game or Stuart Holden having to leave Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the first half.

Wednesday's game was the last before coach Bob Bradley names the 23 players who will join him in South Africa, though Bradley has until June 1 to submit his roster to FIFA.

Again, the United States showed its ability to shoot itself in the foot, with Jonathon Bornstein's silly foul leading to a first-half penalty kick. Someone also needs to find a way to deliver a precise pass in the attacking third of the field.

The list of players most likely to go to South Africa looks a lot like the roster for Wednesday's friendly at the Netherlands, but the last few spots remain open, with a bunch of midfielders in the thick of things. Most of the players play for European clubs.

Alejandro Bedoya got a few minutes to show what he can do, and he drew a foul just outside the Netherlands penalty area. Eddie Johnson appeared to outplay the ineffective Robbie Findley, but Findley got the start.

Bornstein had an unfortunate game but looks to have a spot nailed down anyway. It was a good sign for Clarence Goodson to see the field, even if just for a few minutes, and it could mean Chad Marshall will spend June in Columbus.

With less than 100 days to go, here's how the roster breaks down:

The sure things: Jozy Altidore (F); Landon Donovan (MF); Michael Bradley (MF); Jonathon Spector (D); Jonathon Bornstein (D); Jay DeMerit (D); Carlos Bocanegra (D); Tim Howard (G); Brad Guzan (G).

Probables: Brian Ching (F); Jose Torres (MF); Sacha Kljestan (MF); Heath Pearce (D); Marcus Hahnemann (G).

Going if they can get healthy in time: Charlie Davies (F); Benny Feilhaber (MF); Stuart Holden (MF); Ricardo Clark (MF); Clint Dempsey (MF); Oguchi Onyewu (D); Steve Cherundolo (D).

Final picks likely to come from this group: Robbie Findley (F); DaMarcus Beasley (MF); Maurice Edu (MF); Eddie Gaven (MF); Robbie Rogers (MF); Clarence Goodson (D).

Still have a slight chance: Eddie Johnson (F); Jeff Cunningham (F); Alejandro Bedoya (MF); Frank Simek (D); Chad Marshall (D).

Maybe next time: Freddy Adu (MF); Jermaine Jones (MF); Kyle Beckerman (MF); Brad Davis (MF); Edgar Castillo (D); Marvell Wynne (D).

oschwarz@dailyherald.com