US Soccer’s Left Back Curse

• June
• 4

1:06 pm World Cup, Soccer

The long heralded inconsistency at the left back position on the United States men’s national team has been well documented over the years, but the team still continues struggle on the left side of defense. As the Americans’ gear up for their first game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against England, they must at least feel better about the position with captain Carlos Bocanegra moving over to the left from central defense. The 2006 World Cup vet has played in the middle of the defense for the majority of his career barring his last two years in France with mid-level club Rennes. Bocanegra doesn’t give the US blazing pace down the wing, but he typically makes intelligent, experienced decisions on the field. Over the last few years, head coach Bob Bradley gave most of his starts at the left back position to Chivas USA’s Jonathan Borenstein and former Hansa Rostock and current FC Dallas defender Heath Pearce.

Up until Bob Bradley announced the 23 players he’d take to the World Cup, neither Borenstein or Pearce appeared to have won the position. Borenstein, despite his numerous mistakes on the international level over the last two years, was selected over Pearce. Looking at the current crop of MLS left backs it makes one wonder why Bradley didn’t give the LA Galaxy’s Todd Dunivant more of a look during qualifying or the Gold Cup. Other MLSers such as Chris Wingert, Tony Beltran, Mike Chabala, or Jordan Harvey also could have warranted a looksy. It would have also been nice to see more of lighting-quick Edgar Castillo who’s played five seasons in Mexico, but the fact is the 23 man team for South Africa is already chosen and we all have to on. You’d have to hope a larger group of guys will get looks at the left back position in the next world cup cycle.