Casey and Olsen Deserve a Look

For some reason Bob Bradley as I write this has yet to submit his squad for Sunday's friendly versus Brazil at Soldier Field in Chicago. Based on recent performances in MLS two specific National Team veterans need to get a long look from Bradley with World Cup Qualifying around the corner next year.

Benny Olsen performance at Copa America alone should merit another call up for him. But beyond that, his recent performance in MLS has been nothing short of remarkable. Olsen is finally healthy and it's showing with his fantastic ball winning on display in every DC United game, and seven goals to boot in the attack. Olsen as we've discussed before on this site and the Major League Soccer Talk podcast is a perfect utility player who can play in a holding midfield role or out wide. He's an asset to any national team coach looking for gritty veteran leadership and deep player pool.

It's been a while since anyone mentioned Conor Casey and the US National Team in the same sentence. Casey seemed to fade from Bruce Arena's radar even as he played well for Mainz in Germany a few years back. Casey still has not scored a goal for the US at the Senior Level, and his early play in MLS after leaving Germany earlier this year was pathetic. But Casey has in the past four Colorado Rapids game completely regained his confidence, scoring two goals and contributing to several more. Casey has held off Daniel Osorno, the longtime Mexican National Team forward to keep the starting striker position with the Rapids.

Casey hasn't been overally convincing, but considering the woes the national team has at striker, I'd certainly give him a good look given his recent form.

Conor Casey MLS Bound

American Forward Conor Casey, passed over for US World Cup team thanks largely to injury has decided to leave Mainz 05 and play in MLS. Casey who for some reason was consistently in Bruce Arena's doghouse despite being one of very few American attacking players to have proved his value in an upper tier European first division will play for Toronto FC in 2007.

Casey will leave Mainz immediately and report to Toronto training camp in Fort Lauderdale next week.