Who Replaces Beasley?

DaMarcus Beasley’s injury for Rangers in this week’s Champions League action open the door for several left footed players in the US National Team setup while Beasley is nursing his injury over the next several months.

Eric Wynalda pointed out on CSRN’s “Around the League” this week that during the during the qualification process it is beneficial to have veteran players in the squad who can handle hostile atmospheres and understand the critical nature of getting a result. That would lead me to believe Eddie Lewis should be the first choice replacement for Beasley, but some other potential replacements are available.

¦ Eddie Lewis (Derby County)

A veteran of two World Cups, and a Confederations Cup in 1999 if the obvious replacement. Lewis won’t be around in World Cup 2010 but his pace is still there and his crossing ability is the best of any active National Team player pool member.

¦ Bobby Convey (Reading)

Always seemingly injured, Convey’s skill and confidence seem to have regressed in the past. Time is running out on Convey though he is still only 24.

¦ Brad Davis

He hasn’t been capped since scoring the winning PK in the Gold Cup final in 2005. Davis is a nice player on the MLS level but he isn’t international quality.

¦ Justin Mapp (Chicago)

Plagued by injuries and inconsistency, Mapp is a natural left footed players whose skill set is well suited for international play. Mapp however no longer seems like the best young option out wide on the left thanks to the names below him on this list.

¦ Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas)

Steve Morrow moved him wide to the right this year due to the signing of Juan Toja where he flourished. Still he’s a left footer who could do well on the left flank for the US National Team

¦ Stuart Holden

The Scottish born Holden signed with Sunderland a few years back before he was mugged in Newcastle. He returned home to Houston and has flourished on the left side this year with the Dynamo. At 22, he may not be ready yet to fill the shoes of Beasley and Lewis but now is the time to get him some work in friendlies.

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The Day After: Some Random Thoughts About the Switzerland Match

With a night's worth of perspective on yesterday's 1-0 US victory over Switzerland, here are my thoughts.

• Maurice Edu was my man of the match and Bob Bradley deserves lots of credit to notice Edu's value in training and to give him the start.
• Heath Pearce had a shaky summer and poor start to his career at Hansa Rostock, but he has been outstanding in the last two US friendlies against Brazil and Switzerland.
• Michael Bradley's poise and maturity continues to be amazing for someone of his youth.
• Taylor Twellman needs to focus on his club football and prove he can set himself so far apart from every other American striker in MLS before he gets another call up.
• Eddie Lewis isn't going to be around for World Cup 2010 but he like Frankie Hedjuk has proven he still has a role in qualifying for this team even at 33.
• Freddy Adu can be a game changer for the US as a late game substitute who adds pace and flair to the attack. Switzerland became much more tentative going forward after Adu entered the match.
• Danny Szetela was solid and gave a great cross to set up the goal, but I still want his position long term to be sorted out.
• Clint Dempsey is a much better option in the withdrawn striker role than Landon Donovan
• Brad Guzan still scares me, but he seems like he is playing with confidence which is important for a keeper.
• I'm not sure I like Benny Feilhaber on the right side, but Bradley seems to want him to play out there often which leads me to wonder what Landon Donovan's future position with the National Team is.
• Danny Califf was a rock in the central defense. Perhaps Bruce Arena should not have stopped calling him into the team when he had the audacity to leave MLS to play in Europe.
• A great victory that should boost the confidence of all American fans!

Eddie Lewis Sold to Derby

Derby County's fascination with American footballers continues. Just hours after receiving official clearance to play Benny Feilhaber and weeks after trying to sign Eddie Johnson, Eddie Lewis is reportedly headed to Pride Park. Derby sits near the bottom of the Premiership table with 1 point but has shown flashes of real class in its first two matches and recently rejected an offer to sell Giles Barnes, to West Ham indicating that unlike Watford last season, the newly promoted Rams will be trying to stay up in the Premier League.