Don't call my name, Bob Bradley Part II

It's with mixed emotions I read that Alejandro Bedoya is not called up for the U.S gold cup roster.

First, relief.   We get to keep Bedoya for four important games in allsvenskan.

Secondly, surprise.  Despite Örebro's overall disappointing start to the season, Ale has been phenomenal and by far our best player in the first nine games of the season.  He has played in all three midfield positions and for a while on Sunday as a striker.  He delivered eveywhere.  He has scored four goals and made two assists, which means he has been involved in half of Örebro's goals.

Does that mean has should naturally be called up for the U.S, a team that made it to the quarter finals of the world cup? No.  But it is clear Bradley has taken a liking to Bedoya before, giving him a number of caps. So, with other midfielders out, it is surprising that Bedoya does not make the roster when he is clearly on his best form ever.

Thirdly, compassion.  Tough luck for Alejandro, really.

Lastly, stingyness.  We need to consider the greater good, i.e. the impact on Örebro SK.  Here are some hard facts:

• Bedoya's contract expires at the end of the year and he has declared he does not intend to extend it.  That means if Örebro wants money for Bedoya, they need to sell him this summer
• Caps in competitive games for the U.S. counts on your CV.  Alejandro's value would have increased just by being picked, and even more if he played and played well (likely given his current form)
• But playing the Gold Cup would have meant Bedoya missing four games for Örebro.

If we need to let our best player go this summer. we need to bag money.  How much can we get from a 24-year old top class allsvenskan midfielder with a contract expiring in six months? EUR 1.5 million? 1 million? If we get less then a mill, we should probably just keep him until the end of the season.

What do you think? Is Ale not being picked good or bad news? On what is the lowest acceptable price tag for Ale if we let him go this summer?

Don't call my name, Bob Bradley

Bob Bradley has killed his mockingbird.  Alejandro Bedoya is not picked for the squad that will face Argentina and Paraguay.  I think it may take some time before he will wear the U.S. jersey again, seems he is not part of the plans for Concacaf gold cup.  A shame for Ale, possibly bad for his market value but we are happy to have him around and the crucial last days before the start of the 2011 season, and for the intense early June period.  Here is the U.S roster.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)

Hot like Mexico

You don't have to be a lady to go gaga over Alejandro.

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7482

Of course we are going for gold. The question is whether Ale will stay with us or leave at half time.