Pre-World Cup friendlies tend to be more interesting for the stories leading up to the game as opposed to the actual game itself. The leadup to the US-Czech match is no exception. Bob Bradley named a 30-man roster full of question marks, and it appears that the Czech match will be the primary laboratory to be used to answer those questions.
So, what should you be looking for on Tuesday night? Here's a few questions that hopefully will be answered.
WHO WILL JOZY'S PARTNER BE? This is probably the biggest question surrounding the whole US team. Bradley's two best options to pair with striker Jozy Altidore are Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. But both players have proved to be far more effective on the left and right wing respectively.
My guess is that the Czech match will be Bradley's opportunity to give Edson Buddle, Herculez Gomes, and Robbie Findlay a chance to earn a spot. Maybe it's too much to think that they'll all get a look, but I will be very surprised if Buddle or Gomes doesn't start up front, with Findlay getting a look at some point in the match. Bradley wouldn't have called them up if he didn't want at least a look.
HOW'S GOOCH FEELING? A huge part of the US defense is wrapped up in the recovery of Oguchi Oneyewu. All the signs point to Gooch being match fit and ready to go, but I'm sure Bradley will want to see how he fares in a competitive environment. It may not be against the Czech Republic, but a "while the bullets are flying" fitness test will be on the cards.
WILL BRADLEY BLUFF? How much of what Bradley's lineup against the Czech Republic and the other two friendlies will be getting ready for South Africa, and how much will be feint and game-playig to put Fabio Capello and the other Group C managers on edge? Of course, there will be some game-playing, but the US has enough questions where Bradley can't afford to be too cute.
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