Here is the final installment of my three-part prediction of the USMNT's 40-man Copa America Centenario camp roster, which is set to be released on Sunday at halftime of the Sporting Kansas City vs. LA Galaxy game (8 pm ET; FS1).
Part 1 looked at the goalkeepers and defenders. Yes to Ethan Horvath, no to Nick Rimando.
Part 2 looked at the midfielders and wingers. Yes to Perry Kitchen, no to Wil Trapp.
Today's Part 3 is the forwards. Bear in mind that some of these guys are true target forwards, some of these guys are second forwards, and some of these guys play on the wing. And that to Jurgen Klinsmann, none of matters all that much -- in the US's most recent qualifier, a must-win against Guatemala, center forward Bobby Wood played on the wing while second forward/winger Clint Dempsey played as a No. 9.
So who knows, right?
(6) Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Wood, Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Morris, Chris Wondolowski
- Alternates: C.J. Sapong, Rubio Rubin, Fafa Picault
There's very little controversy here other than the fact that Sapong has been the most dominant forward in the league, is my personal choice for MVP after 20 percent of the season, and has had a head, knee or foot in literally every goal Philly have scored this year. He wins fouls in dangerous spots, clears defenders out at the near post, works hard as hell to be in the right spot defensively, and has become really adept at the right-place, right-time goals that are a No. 9's lifeblood. This is a complete player.
But guess what? Altidore and Wood are both complete players, and both are proven at this level and trusted by Klinsmann. Altidore isn't as good in the air or defensively as Sapong, but he's a superior passer and -- especially -- goal-scorer. Wood doesn't pass particularly well (his decision-making is slow) and isn't an aerial threat, but he's fast and savvy about his positioning on both sides of the ball, and is a ruthless goal-scorer.
Beyond them, Zardes isn't quite so complete, but has been on a tear since finally being moved up top by Bruce Arena, and is also one of Klinsmann's favorites, albeit usually on the wing. The USMNT is deep with center forwards.
Moving back a little to more of the second forward types... Dempsey simply has to be there. Klinsmann wouldn't be so crazy as to cut his best, most clutch and most experienced attacker just before a major tournament, right?
That leaves Wondo and Morris. Wondo's probably no worse than No. 5 on the MVP list (and No. 1 on the Golden Boot list), while Morris has come into his own over the past few weeks and is the kind of young talent that you specifically need to bring into these camps, and maybe even to the tournament itself. There is a case for both of them, even though neither has been as good as Sapong.
That said, I'd really like it if C.J. was there. He's earned it.
Also, Jurgen keeps tweeting about Fafa Picault:
Picault is more of a winger than a forward, and he's got 4 goals and 2 assists for St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga so far this year. He's 25 and has that sweet, sweet dual-eligibility (born in Manhattan to Haitian parents) that enthralls. I wouldn't be particularly shocked or at all upset if he made his way onto the 40-man roster, and you shouldn't be, either.
Here's my whole prediction in one spot if you want to have at it:
(4) Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, David Bingham, Ethan Horvath
(8) Fullbacks: DeAndre Yedlin, Brek Shea, Edgar Castillo, Timmy Chandler, Tim Ream, Brandon Vincent, Kellyn Acosta, Desevio Payne
(7) Defenders: Geoff Cameron, John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Steve Birnbaum, Michael Orozco
(3) Defensive midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Danny Williams, Perry Kitchen
(7) Central Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, Lee Nguyen, Alfredo Morales, Emerson Hyndman, Mix Diskerud
(5) Wide Midfielders/Wingers: Fabian Johnson, Darlington Nagbe, Graham Zusi, Christian Pulisic, Ethan Finlay
(6) Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, Clint Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Morris, Chris Wondolowski
