My first "controversial" post (sarcasm) of the day didn't go over so well. It seems people are fine with Bob Bradley's leadership, and there's no fear that a poor month could see him on the ropes.

Hey, that's cool. I'll admit I may have been barking up the wrong tree.

This post isn't quite as conjectural, so consider is a "change in tone" for the evening.

Frankie Hejduk has been ruled out of the Costa Rica match, a turn of events that has more than a few worried about that tricky right back spot. Since we know that the flanks will likely be a key aspect of the Ticos attack, the loss of Hejduk (who would likely start in the place of the injured Steve Cherundolo), is a pretty big blow.

It certainly won't help the effort tomorrow night, but does Hejduk's injury actually open a door that could help the team in the long run?

If given the choice, with all parties healthy, it's assumed that Bradley's right back depth chart would look a little something like this:

1. Steve Cherundolo
2. Frankie Hejduk
3. ?

Put Jonathan Spector or Marvell Wynne in place of that question mark if you so choose, but until the lineup comes out ahead of the match in San Jose tomorrow night, we simply don't know which name occupies that number three position.

Hejduk is a marvel; he's an older, savvy, experienced player with enough speed and attacking ability to get the job done. Frankie almost single-handedly sparked the comeback in El Salvador two months ago, and will continue to be an important part of the team as long as his skills remain considerable.

But his absence tomorrow opens the door for one of the next generation of right backs to step up in a big game; both Spector and Wynne have considerable potential, and will certainly be counted upon through the remainder of 2009 and into the World Cup year of 2010 (provided we qualify; knock on wood). If one of them (my guess is Spector) is able to turn their Saprissa experience into a positive, confidence-building moment, the team will be better for it.

I'd prefer Hejduk be able to play. I'd prefer the strongest possible team (minus the out-of-commission Cherundolo, of course) take to the crap, I mean turf, at Estadio Saprissa Wednesday night because I desperately want us to break our jinx there. On the road in a World Cup qualifier is clearly not the preferable place to blood a younger defender. But I'm trying to be positive here, and this is the best I can come up with.

The more depth, and the more experienced that depth, the better things will be for 2010 (knock on wood). No matter who lines up at right back tomorrow night, I hope their performance gives us a reason to be hopeful of our future at the position. Whoever it is better play well, or we could be in for a long, disappointing night.