Of the five (plus one) players mentioned here, Chandler is the biggest surprise, but speculation that his absence is just that – an absence, not an omission.

In fact, it seems the delay on Monday could have been a result of Chandler's request to remain left out of the mix this summer.

"We felt that it didn’t make sense at this time for [Chandler]" Bradley said. "He’s carried a few little injuries of late. He has told us that physically and mentally this season has been a hard one. We feel strongly that we’ve worked hard to build a good relationship with him and felt that when you added everything up that the time wasn’t right for this Gold Cup."

The Nuremberg fullback would have provided great outside defensive depth, and perhaps could have challenged for a starting left back nod (though he's featured on the right for the U.S. in the past). There is also speculation that Chandler could be buying time to ponder a German call-up, if Die Mannschaft throw one his way.

Steve Cherundolo should do just fine on the right, but Chandler's speed and work rate would have made the U.S. defense stronger, regardless. Bradley needs to ensure Chandler is capped in a non-friendly international match so the Germans keep their hands away from the best defensive prospect the U.S. has.

4) Alejandro Bedoya


For the second time in as many Mays, Bedoya finds himself on the wrong side of the cutline for a major international tournament.

The young Orebro midfielder was one of the last names axed from the 2010 World Cup roster, but he seemed a lock for a Gold Cup spot. His energy and versatility would come in handy on the substitutes' bench, but Bradley indicated Bedoya's style of play might be too similar to what the U.S already have ample supply of.

"[Bedoya] has energy and willingness to be involved in the game in a good way, but nonetheless we looked at some of the other players and now in some cases you have to make some tough decisions where certain guys are almost in the same category," Bradley said.

That "same category" includes interior wingers – outside midfielders who like to drift centrally, ala Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Sacha Kljestan, and Benny Feilhaber. Add in a surprise like Freddy Adu, and Bedoya becomes expendable.

5) Charlie Davies


It's crazy to think that this time a year ago, many fans felt Charlie Davies could make a World Cup roster, even though he was just a few months past an October car crash that almost took his life.

Fast forward another year, and Davies, like Bedoya, will have to watch the national team play its biggest tournament of the year from home.

Though his MLS resurgence has been a media dream – his six goals in league play trail only Landon Donovan's seven –  Bradley indicated Davies has yet to show he can impact the game enough away from the penalty spot, where he's scored four of his goals, to merit a call up.

"I had a good conversation with [Davies] on the telephone the other day and just told him that I still feel that it’s still not totally where it needs to be," Bradley said. "Part of that is tricky because you’re looking at strikers and you want to see goals. Obviously he’s done well to put himself in some good goal scoring situations but in terms of his all-around contribution to the team I still think he’s working his way back."

That comeback, coupled with the emergence of Juan Agudelo as a fitting partner for Jozy Altidore, would have made it difficult for Bradley to include Davies.




Bonus: Jose Francisco Torres


Torres' omission isn't surprising at this point in time. But, had you asked a year ago, most fans would have expected the 23-year-old central midfielder to compete for a starting spot in the Gold Cup and would not have wondered if he'd even earn a roster spot.

Torres' decline in the U.S. soccer picture has been strange. In pre-World Cup friendlies against the likes of Turkey, Torres showed a composure, passing range, and defensive skill that boded well for his future internationally.

However, a "poor" (quotations to emphasize the misperception of his play) performance in a World Cup start against Slovenia was the last we've seen of Torres. The Pachuca midfielder hasn't even really been an afterthought, especially with the abundance of central midfield talent in the U.S. ranks right now.

Don't rule him out of the USMNT picture just yet, however. Jermaine Jones will be too gray for World Cup 2014 play, and Torres, should he improve at the club level, could battle Maurice Edu and (gasp!) Michael Bradley (whose lack of club playing time is worth note) for midfield spots (if Stu Holden moves wide right, as expected).