The Computer Wore Menace Shoes

In a game that was many fringe players’ last chance of convincing coach Bob Bradley they should be included in the 23-man roster for the World Cup, the United States lost to the Czech Republic 4-2 last night at Rentschler Field in Connecticut.

Although Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute with his first international goal, the Czechs responded through Tomas Sivok off a set piece just before halftime. Thirteen minutes into the second half, Jan Polak gave the Czechs a 2-1 lead.

Herculez Gomez scored his first international goal in the 65th minute, bringing the U.S. level at 2-2. The unsettled American defense, however, couldn’t keep the score level, giving up the game-winner to Martin Fenin in the 78th. Tomas Necid added the fourth Czech goal in the 90th minute.

Forward Edson Buddle was expected to be left off the United States' 23-man roster, but Bob Bradley included the L.A. Galaxy player, who has nine of the team's goals this season.

A quick recap of the first three Czech scores makes the United States’ major flaw immediately obvious. Left back Jonathan Bornstein committed one of several fouls – the best of them being a football tackle on the winger who evaded him – to give the Czechs the free kick that led to Sivok’s opener.

Commentator John Harkes singled out Oguchi Onyewu, who was playing in his first game in seven months after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon, to blame for the goal because he let the much smaller Sivok out-jump him to the ball from behind. Sure, Onyewu could have played it differently, but Bornstein could have avoided fouling in that situation.

When Polak scored in the 58th minute, it was because he made a simple run in front of second-half substitute left back Heath Pearce. While Pearce let Polak run free, David Lafata’s ball to the midfielder was so perfect that Polak really just kept running and let it hit him. Twenty minutes later, it was Pearce making another mistake, completely missing a sliding tackle just outside the penalty area and leaving the defense shorthanded. Fenin ended up unmarked and took advantage of the U.S. being unable to clear the ball away.

Three big mistakes by American left backs led to three goals for the Czech Republic. There isn’t much more damning evidence for the poor state of a position than that.

When Bradley named his 23-man roster today, Pearce wasn’t on it. Incredibly, Bornstein was. It’s getting hard to understand what Bradley sees in Bornstein. He’s good for at least one big mistake per game, and while he was better than Pearce last night, he still won’t inspire confidence in U.S. fans if he steps on the field in South Africa.

The only thing I can think Bornstein’s inclusion means is that he’ll be the defender on the roster to use as cover. If everyone is healthy, which is doubtful, there’s no way he’s the starting left back. As long as someone can partner Onyewu in the middle, Bocanegra can be used on the left. Alternatively, Jonathan Spector has seem significant minutes on the left for West Ham in the Barclays Premier League.

Besides the inclusion of Bornstein and carrying only seven defenders, Bradley’s roster had some other surprises.

Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, Edu, DaMarcus Beasley, Jose Francisco Torres and Benny Feilhaber are the midfielders on the roster. Despite an uncertain future at Rangers and some shaky recent performances, Beasley won a roster spot after a solid camp and good outing against the Czechs. Holden, who suffered a broken leg in the match against the Netherlands March 3, had a great game. His touch was good all night, and his decision making and passing were top-notch. With Holden, Torres, Edu and Beasley in midfield, the U.S. had a lot of possession in the first half against the Czech Republic.

Probably the biggest surprises on coach Bradley’s roster were the forwards. He selected Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Edson Buddle and Robbie Findley, leaving 2006 World Cup veteran Brian Ching out. Ching had been recovering from a hamstring injury but looked to be in good form last night. Although Ching doesn’t have the strongest fan support among the national team members, Bradley has selected him almost without fail and was widely expected to include him on the final roster. Speaking to ESPN, however, Bradley said he simply couldn’t ignore the form of Buddle and Gomez. Findley will be the team’s speed option, which had been injured forward Charlie Davies’ role.

Based on last night’s performances, including Buddle and Gomez is a good call. Buddle was good at keeping possession and waiting for the rest of the attack to get involved, even though he didn’t get a good chance at goal in his 45 minutes. Gomez certainly didn’t hurt his chances by scoring and had at least one other good chance.

The USA regulars should be involved in Saturday’s friendly against Turkey (11 a.m. PT, ESPN2), which should give fans a better picture of Bradley’s plans for South Africa. Goalkeeper Tim Howard; defender Carlos Bocanegra; midfielders Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Feilhaber; and forward Altidore didn’t even dress for last night’s match.