It’s been a few months since the initial projection and it’s changed a bit with several friendlies taking place. Overall, the core of the team remains the same with the final spots still unclear. This projection is of what the team (23 man squad) will be for the World Cup (in 2014) and not during qualifying.

The third goalkeeper could change but for now I’m giving it to Nick Rimando. David Yelldell could also be in that spot and it’s probably a coin flip on who will be selected. There’s no change to the defense and forwards but that’s not to say these are stable. Aging veterans like Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo are not guarantees to be around in two years and Omar Gonzalez has to return from a torn ACL.

The first six or so midfield spots are easy to pick with a few question marks for the last two spots. Brek Shea has a bright future but he failed to impress during recent friendlies. Robbie Rogers continues to get opportunities and recently made a move to English Championship side Leeds United. Neither Shea or Rogers are anything close to a lock at this point.

The latest projection is below.

USA 2014 World Cup Squad Projection – Version 1.5

Goalkeepers (3) – Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando

Defenders (8) – Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Tim Ream, Omar Gonzalez, Timmy Chandler, Eric Lichaj, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector

Midfielders (8) – Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea, Jermaine Jones, Robbie Rogers

Forwards (4) – Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, Edson Buddle

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USA 2014 World Cup Squad Projection – Version 1.5 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the Coupe de France matches on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Times listed are BST or local UK time.

French Cup (Coupe de France) Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Lyon v Bordeaux, 15:15 – Lyon wins 1-0

Valenciennes v Lille, 18:00 – Lille wins 1-0

Chateauroux v Montpellier, 19:00 – Montpellier wins 2-1

Ajaccio Jeanne d’Arc, 19:50 – Ajaccio wins 2-0

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French Cup (Coupe de France) Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the DFB Pokal matches on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Times listed are BST or local UK time.

German Cup (DFB Pokal) Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Hertha Berlin v Monchengladbach, 18:00 – Monchengladbach wins 2-1

Hoffenheim v Gruether Furth, 18:00 – Hoffenheim wins 2-0

Stuttgart v Bayern Munich, 19:30 – Bayern Munich wins 1-0

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German Cup (DFB Pokal) Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the Coppa Italia matches on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Times listed are BST or local UK time.

Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

AC Milan v Juventus, 19:45 – AC Milan wins 2-1

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Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the SPL matches on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

Scottish Premier League Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Hearts v Celtic, 19:45 – Celtic wins 1-0

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Scottish Premier League Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the African Cup Of Nations matches on February 8, 2012. Times listed are BST or local UK time.

CAF African Cup Of Nations Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Zambia v Ghana, 16:00 – Ghana wins 2-1

Mali v Ivory Coast, 18:00 – Ivory Coast wins 2-0

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CAF African Cup Of Nations Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the Copa del Rey matches on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Times listed are BST or local UK time.

Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Barcelona v Valencia, 20:00 – Barcelona wins 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate)

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Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the FA Cup matches on February 8, 2012. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

English FA Cup Match Predictions

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Middlesbrough v Sunderland, 19:45 – Sunderland wins 1-0

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English FA Cup Match Predictions – 8 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are my weekly power rankings for the top (8) clubs teams in UEFA. These rankings are a combination of their play in domestic and UEFA competitions.

The rankings haven’t changed from the last (late January) as the top three remain the same. Teams who make a jump into list include Borussia Dortmund but it remains very close. The list (top is below along with the teams just missing the rankings.

1. Real Madrid - Los Blancos have a commanding lead in La Liga and can start targeting the Champions League.
2. FC Barcelona - Barca have looked uninspired at times in La Liga but they seem to always rise to the occasion against the top teams. They are still behind Real in these rankings but would probably be favored if they meet in the Champions League.
3. Manchester City - They remain on top in the EPL and probably the favorite in the Europa League due to their squad depth.
4. Juventus - The Italian Serie A leaders move up several spots and remain undefeated in the current season.
5. Manchester United - The Red Devils are 2nd in the EPL but doubt is starting to grow whether they can win a 20th league title.
6. Bayern Munich – They are in 2nd place in the Bundesliga and one of the few teams that could knock off Real or Barca in the Champions League.
7. AC Milan - The Rossoneri are keeping pace with Juve for the Scudetto and the highest scoring team with 43 goals through 22 matches.
8. Borussia Dortmund - The defending Bundesliga champions are on pace for another title and have not lost a league match since September.

Teams just missing the rankings - Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Tottenham Hotspur, Udinese

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UEFA Power Rankings – 7 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the FA Cup matches on February 7, 2012. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

English FA Cup Match Predictions

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool, 19:45 – Sheffield Wednesday wins 1-0

Southampton v Millwall, 19:45 – Southampton wins 2-0

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English FA Cup Match Predictions – 7 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog