Two wins with six goals scored and none conceded represents an impressive statistical breakdown of the U.S. team's Gold Cup campaign to date. Bob Bradley's side has been efficient in its dispatching of inferior opposition and should have few problems wrapping up first place in Group B against Haiti on Saturday. Should they do so, the U.S. will secure itself an evening quarterfinal in Philadelphia, as opposed to an afternoon last-eight match in Dallas.

Among those to impress through two games is Kyle Beckerman. The Real Salt Lake midfielder has been the outstanding player in the middle of the park versus both Grenada and, especially, Honduras, against whom he linked defense and attack on a number of occasions. Unfortunately for Beckerman's chances of forcing his way into the squad for upcoming qualifiers, he plays in a position for which Bradley has myriad options.

Also doing well is Robbie Rogers, whose ability to run with the ball at the right time, as well as the adeptness he has shown for linking up with those around him, shows a good deal of progress from the stuttering start he made to his senior international career against Sweden in January.

Beyond this pair, also showing promise has been center back Chad Marshall, while midfielder Stuart Holden impressed against Grenada. Up front, Charlie Davies enhances his growing reputation every time he steps on the field. Not so good so far have been the fullbacks, Steve Cherundolo and Heath Pearce, both of whom have shown that they are still working their way back to full match fitness following a period of inactivity.

Two tales of one city

What a contrast in fortunes there was for two local heroes on Wednesday night. While Santino Quaranta celebrated his first international goal on his home ground, Freddy Adu was left to rue another missed opportunity to prove why he should be involved more consistently on Bradley's teams.

Adu said on his Twitter after the Honduras game that he had felt heavy-legged. Four days later, he again looked to be trying a bit too hard to impress. The upshot was that his decision-making was suspect, meaning that he was caught in possession too often as he attempted to take players on, while passes to teammates offered better options.

Not that his troubles were entirely self-inflicted. Given that, prior to the Grenada game, the only minutes he had logged (for club or country) in 2009 were as a substitute in Costa Rica, match fitness had to have been an issue. However, his lack of sharpness was offset by a desire to catch the eye, for fear of not being seen again for a while, which was understandable. The result was plenty of good intention, but poor execution.

All of which makes the announcement that he will play no further in the remainder of the Gold Cup a puzzling one. On the one hand, he should do everything he can to take advantage of a chance to establish himself at Benfica. However, from the U.S. team's point of view, playing through a whole tournament would give him a chance to put together a run of games and to showcase himself to potential employers, in case his current club decides there is no future for him at the Stadium of Light.

Adu's long-term promise remains, but the more immediate implications for his enigmatic international career are that, with opportunities to impress ahead of the World Cup beginning to run out, it seems increasingly likely that, even if he does make Bradley's squad for South Africa, his chances to see the field will be limited.

Good luck, young man

Oguchi Onyewu has never been afraid of a challenge, and the American will certainly face one when he arrives in Italy to play for AC Milan. In addition to dealing with the rigors of Serie A, the defender joins a club in transition, following the departure of three key men: coach Carlo Ancelotti as well as talismanic players Kaka, who was sold to Real Madrid, and the recently retired Paolo Maldini.

The day before Onyewu's signing was announced by the Rossoneri, approximately 300 Milan fans staged a protest at the lack of transfer activity at the club. Whether they are pacified by this signing remains to be seen, but that is not Onyewu's concern. He must focus on making Leonardo's starting lineup, an achievement which would reap benefits not just for him but also for the national team.

Onyewu is the first of the U.S. team's Confederations Cup squad to reap a tangible (and financial) benefit of the impressive display in South Africa, and he may not be the last. Clint Dempsey has been linked with a move away from Fulham to Everton, while Jozy Altidore could be on the move too, though probably just on loan.

Perhaps the next to get his move, however, is Charlie Davies, on the verge of a move to French club Sochaux. I spoke to the striker earlier this week ahead of the U.S. game in his native New England on Saturday. Look out for that interview in the coming days.

A thing that made me go hmmm

Meanwhile, in MLS, Monday sees the announcement of the starting XI for this month's all-star game. As I wrote last week, while I am not a fan of the match in its current format, the showpiece remains an important one for those involved. Making picks always gets the old gray matter going and this year was no exception. Here is my selected XI:

GK: Kasey Keller

D: Bobby Boswell, Jhon Hurtado, Chad Marshall

M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Brad Davis, Stuart Holden, Chris Pontius, Shalrie Joseph

F: Kenny Cooper, Landon Donovan

While several of these names were straightforward, there were some over which more agonizing was done. Most difficult was the choice of who played up front. In the end, I went with Cooper and Donovan based on the importance they have for their teams, who often struggle without their talisman.

Fredy Montero made a great case with his recent form. But Nate Jaqua's displays, as well as the two-month slump during which he failed to score a goal, meant that the Colombian missed out on my ballot. Montero will be in Salt Lake City, however, and it would not stun me if he is named a starter.

Elsewhere, I felt it was important that this year's impressive rookie class was represented and, given that, picked Chris Pontius in midfield. Of course, as D.C. United is scheduled to play a CONCACAF Champions League preliminary match the night before the all-stars face Everton, he may not play even if he is selected.

Would that make an all-star game not an all-star game? That's another story...