CHARLIE DAVIES.

Torres

If only we still had McBride... But I mean we still have talent up top with veterans like Ching to newcomers like Robbie Findley. I think Bradley will have to test who works up top the best with Altidore, who himself needs to improve in order to pose more of a threat to teams like England. Dempsey has looked like a probable option, although I personally prefer him at midfield due to his vision and creativity.

Lee Nguyen

The other starting forward should be Clint Dempsey. He has a nose for the goal. I don't want to integrate a new striker who's not familiar with Jozy. Bob has been prone to moving Clint up top. It's natural to give him the job full time. If Jones is in the midfield with Bradley and Donovan, that's enough creativity. I personally would like to see Donovan on the right and Torres on the left but that's not going to happen, so I'd be happy with Donovan on the left and Holden or Feilhaber on the right.

At this point I'd like to see Cunningham up there with Altidore, with LD behind them and Dempsey out wide.

This was one of my first thoughts too. I agree that Clint is definitely capable of those magic moments, and because of that needs to be in the starting 11 in some capacity anyway. I like when he plays forward, but I'm still not sure he's the speed demon we all would like to see replacing Charlie. But maybe I need to just let that go. Doesn't Clint play up front for Fulham?

I think so but I haven't watched Fulham that closely this season. But that would be the solution, it seems.

move dempsey up... he is less of a liability up top plus he can provide that moment of majic...

Jaqua? He, Kenny Cooper, Brian Ching, Conor Casey -- and really Jozy too for that matter -- to me are all of the same mold (forged from Brian McBride). Big target forwards. We need someone that truly replaces Charlie's speed and ability to spread and stretch the opposition's defense. Landon has that, but he is MUCH better, and more useful to us, when playing from behind and creating and running at defenders with the ball. My big worry is I don't see a replacement for Charlie. Not in the list above, and not anywhere else that I can think of. Someone tell me I'm wrong though. Please.

Okay, how about Stuart Holden? Speed, can play wide, which stretches the opposition's defense. His skill on the ball might leave a bit to be desired, however. And he too might be better used in midfield.

Holden, I don't know, maybe. He needs to show me more though. And I'm not sure he's gonna get the opportunities to get there before next summer.

well it IS over a half (European) season until then. Though I'm apt to agree with you. What do you think of Findley or Cunningham?

Good point. Holden is supposed to be headed to Europe, yes? Dutch league or something?

I guess I don't know enough about Findley or Cunningham. But I suspect there's a reason for that. Neither one of them are really knocking down any doors. I hope I'm mistaken though. I really want to see someone sort of come in and surprise. Heck that's what Charlie did.

Indeed. Well keep in mind I have never seen any of these guys play, but from the trusty Yanks-Abroad site we have:
Marcus Tracy
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=players&...

and Alejandro Bedoya, who like CD9 earns a living in Sweden:
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&...

as probably the best candidates.

Anybody seen them play?

I wanna see Jaqua

I say we move either Donovan or Dempsey up. We'll get the best quality that way.

Dempsey works best behind the forwards. I don't think Bob will put him up front. Landon yes, and that isn't a bad option. But then who do you have as a creative force in attacking midfield?

Curious to hear the reasoning behind those who want to see Eddie Johnson as Altidore's stablemate next summer.

That kind of surprised me too. EJ has done, um, little as a nat when given the chance...

Those of you voting "somebody else" are supposed to supply that person's name via comment. Unless of course, you mean "somebody else" as "anybody but them"...