The Fringe: Part 3

USSD's final part in a look at USMNT players on the fringe of Bob Bradley's roster with six months to go until South Africa. Enjoy:

Robbie Findley-Findley will be battling with Jeff Cunningham and Eddie Johnson for a forward spot on Bob Bradley's roster. Though Findley has not had a meaningful national team appearance to date (his lone cap was as a last-minute substitute in a friendly), he is considered by some to be the best option out of the three aforementioned options. Findley had a strong finish to the MLS campaign and also possesses a skill-set akin to a poor man's Charlie Davies. Nevertheless, his lack of international experience still makes him somewhat of a question mark, so he will have to prove his worth in the coming months. His first opportunity will likely come at the end of January in Los Angeles; a good performance there could put him on the fast track to the final 23.

Robbie Rogers- Rogers is contending for a spot at outside midfield. Though there is currently a lack of left-footed midfielders, the re-emergence of DaMarcus Beasley and the continued growth of Edgar Castillo could spell trouble for the Crew standout. Rogers had a solid conclusion to the year for the USMNT, helping set up both of the team's goals in the Costa Rica match while also starting and playing 82 minutes in the Slovakia friendly. In those appearances, Rogers looked a lot more confident than he did during the Gold Cup, when he started strong but faded very fast as the tournament progressed. At times during the November friendlies, Rogers was guilty of trying to do too much, but it was understandable given the team's inability to break down opposing defenses. With his October and November performances, Rogers is in good position to earn himself a roster spot. To do so, however, he might have to beat out Beasley, who is quickly reasserting himself in the national team picture.

Kenny Cooper- It was a dream start for Kenny Cooper at 1860 Munich, as the big striker scored just minutes into his first appearance for the 2. Bundesliga club. The former FC Dallas star also was getting consistent playing time, though he only tallied one more goal in the 11 appearances that followed. Cooper has since gone down with a knee injury suffered in training, with a January return likely.

Cooper might have the toughest path to a World Cup roster, considering it has seemed like he has never been a guy that Bob Bradley has been particularly enamored with. Despite great goal totals in MLS over the past couple years, Cooper has only managed to earn 10 caps, many of which were brief substitute appearances. Despite the relative lack of minutes, Cooper boasts an impressive strike rate with the USMNT, scoring 4 goals in those limited opportunities. The biggest knock against Kenny is that he plays more of a finesse game, rather than utilizing his big frame as more of a target forward. While I don't think this would be reason enough for his exclusion, I do feel that Cooper will have to light up the 2. Bundesliga in 2010 if he wants a chance to impress Bob Bradley.

Troy Perkins/Marcus Hahnemann- The final fringe spot goes to the battle for the third goalkeeper roster spot. At this point, it seems like the battle will come down to Troy Perkins and Marcus Hahnemann. Perkins had a very solid showing in the Gold Cup this past summer, giving up only 1 goal through his first 4 starts (before, of course, the defensive meltdown in the final in which he conceded 5 goals). He was also a consistent starter for his club team Valerenga, helping the Norwegian side to a top-half finish in the 2009 season.

Hahnemann, nearly 10 years Perkins' senior, has asserted himself as the starter for Wolverhampton after playing second fiddle for the first 3 months of the EPL season. In his three appearances, Hahnemann has only given up 2 goals, helping Wolves double their win total. Included in this run is a 1-0 clean sheet over Champions League hopefuls Tottenham yesterday, in which the former Reading goalkeeper made 7 saves to preserve an unlikely road victory. Hahnemann does not have a great deal of international experience either, but he was in the 2006 World Cup squad as the #3.

The third goalkeeper position is probably Bob Bradley's last concern at this point, but it still represents a coveted spot in the final 23, one that Perkins and Hahnemann will likely fight hard for in 2010.

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Well that's it for The Fringe. As 2010 progresses, this list will surely change as some players boost their stock while others fall off the map. It's all just part of the frantic race for the final spots in Bob Bradley's World Cup team.