Player burnout

Carlos Bocanegra Marseilles 90 minutes in 4-0 loss @ Marseilles

Brian Ching Houston 81 minutes in a 3-0 win vs. Toronto

Landon Donovan Los Angeles 90 minutes in 1-1 tie vs. Kansas City

Tim Howard London 90 minutes in 2-1 loss to Chelsea

Pablo Mastroeni New Jersey 90 minutes in 3-2 loss @ New York

Marvell Wynne Houston 90 minutes in 3-0 loss @ Houston

Danny Califf Brondby 90 minutes in 4-2 win @ Brondby

Benny Feilhaber Vejle 90 minutes in 2-1 loss @ Vejle

Jose Francisco Torres Pachuca 48 minutes in 2-2 draw with Pumas

Looking at the players here .......6 of them I have penciled in as starters. The important points are the 3 points at home against Honduras. We have to have our offensive players rested and ready. We just do not want to lose to the Tico's. We do not need the 3 points at this point however we want to block the Tico's from getting 3 points and overtaking US in the Hex with points.

Defense

Boga is a veteran and should pace himself to play both games....depending on the games will depend on if he gets pulled. I think he plays both games

Gooch --- plays both games

Bornstein will be tested in Costa Rica. If he does not get turned he stays..

Spector ---I think he is the complete package, a professional and has good feet. However Wynne speed to defuse any offense will be needed if Spector tires

Califf can play either d side and is very good

MF

M Bradley is the clear favorite. He has good timing and is aggressive with tackles. He will be needed in both games. I see him playing all of Costa Rica game unless he is exhausted.....quite possible in San Jose

I see Jose Torres as a more offensive player than defensive player. I see him in Honduras game

D Beasley more offense that Defense and see him waiting for the Honduras game.

Lando is just to good not to play ...even if he is out of gas he is still the best passer and set up man we have.

Pablo gets the start in Costa Rica but sits in Chicago. We will count on his veteran leadership to get us through in the middle.

S K---He could play either game. He is good at both attack and defense in the middle. He has not played that well at Club level and hopefully he breaks out here......I hope

Rocardo Clarke was a late call in however his hustle and work rate will get him in one of these next 2 fixtures.

FW

Ching is the best option we have. He can hold the ball up and advance the players on fouls he absorbs. He is good at shielding the ball and we will need this tactic to slow down and frustrate the Tico's

Altidore is big and strong on the ball. He also has speed that is hard to deal with. He will be used on long balls to keep the Tico's honest.