Sometimes the boldest statements are those not said verbally.  Not known for making bold remarks or daring predictions about his team, Bob Bradley may have just sent a message to the rest of the CONCACAF region indirectly.

He’s planning on walking out of the ever so hostile Estadio Olimpico with three points on Oct. 10.

U.S. camp selections for upcoming World Cup qualifiers at Honduras and home versus Costa Rica feature a few surprise names that hint at Bradley’s confidence.

The surprise does not come to from the talent level of the selections but by the quantities within the forward position. 

Facing a talented Honduran midfield, which has given the Americans fits already this summer; Bradley has declined to delve deep into his own midfield talent pool, instead choosing to carry a large group of forwards.

After removing Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey from the forward pool, who have been used primarily as wings, Bradley has carried between three and four forwards for quite some time.  With Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore using the summer to claim their respective spots on the team for the foreseeable future; the remaining spot has been Brian Ching’s to lose.

Bradley has given Kenny Cooper and Connor Casey their chances to succeed Ching as the holding forward; neither has been able to do so.

With the final two qualifiers on the horizon, Bradley will carry all three powerful holding forward types; as well as Donovan, Dempsey, Altidore and Davies.

Why?  Because after a typical grind it out Bradley-style victory, Cooper, Casey and Ching will use the Costa Rica match to prove themselves before the team schedule comes to a close for the year.

With nothing but a couple of to-be-scheduled friendlies, the Americans will only gather together a handful of times before next summer’s World Cup.

A mainstay in Bradley’s lineup for most of his campaign as the leader of the U.S., Ching has slowly lost his place to the younger Altidore and Davies.  Fans have been calling for the potential-filled tandem for most of the summer.

Casey has played beyond expectation for the Colorado Rapids this season, currently second in goals scored in the MLS with 15 to date.  Yet, in limited time with the full national team, he has been unable to stake his claim to a permanent spot with the squad.

Cooper, the former Manchester United prospect, has enjoyed much success in the MLS with FC Dallas; but never shown the same ability when playing on the national stage.  Since moving to 1860 Munich in the summer, Cooper has received consistent playing time and scored two goals in his latest European stint.

Who will join Donovan, Altidore and the rest remains to be seen.  By calling all of them to the last of the qualifying matches, Bradley has made a statement to the rest of the CONCACAF region and the three forwards as well.

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