2007 Copa America Roster

And now we have it. Courtesy Ives:

GOALKEEPERS- Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

DEFENDERS- Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjælland), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS- Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Lee Nguyen (PSV Eindhoven), Ben Olsen (D.C.United)

FORWARD- Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Herculez Gomez (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)

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I'd like to make it known right now that Ives is a bit ingenious for hyping the Gaven call-up a few days ago. He was probably the only one in all of U.S. soccer punditry who saw that coming.

The only tried and true presences in this squad are Keller, Conrad, DeMerit, and Feilhaber. DCU fans know that Olsen and Boswell have experience playing in hostile, pro-South American environments; their presence on the squad will be more for morale than international talent-- although, if Boswell performs well with Conrad and DeMerit, I'll feel good about DCU and the MNT.

I'm pegging Davies to have a breakout performance soon and Johnson to pick his head up a bit. This is a big opportunity for Nguyen, Gaven, and Mapp as well.

Something good this squad is that it gives Bradley the opportunity to truly sort out his second string options for when players in the First XI are unavailable. Trial by fire. But you know what? Although I am preparing myself for some absolutely tragic scorelines in the near future, this isn't something to be negative about. Not by a long shot. Copa America is a real opportunity for a large squad of players who need a real opportunity. I said it before, I'll say it again: during Copa America, I won't be hiding in fear.