It is Manna from Heaven. It is also a dilemma at a time when clear thinking and certainty of principle are paramount. Barely two months before the United States kicks off its World Cup campaign against England, Bob Bradley has a problem. A good problem - but a problem nonetheless.

Just as American fans are wondering who's going to score the goals in South Africa, a saviour is emerging right on cue. Peaking to perfection is one Herculez Gomez, who is forcing the U.S. coach to cast his eye south of the border.

Long list of injuries

Injuries, long term or otherwise, have dogged Bradley's preparations. The casualty list has, at times, resembled an episode of M*A*S*H and, for some, the clock is ticking louder by the day. Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyewu, and Stuart Holden are just three players wishing they could hold back time.

If Bradley was overdue some good news, the football gods are smiling. Riding to the rescue across the Mexican border with a holster full of goals is 28-year-old Gomez. He is THE fit, in-form striker Bradley has been praying for. The question is what the coach will do now his prayers have been answered?

A few short weeks ago Gomez wasn't even close to Bradley's World Cup radar. He wasn't selected for the Americans' tilt with El Salvador - this was the MLS version of the U.S. team on a non-FIFA date filled, primarily, with home based players in the midst of pre-season.

If he couldn't make that roster, there wasn't even a glimmer of a chance he'd be called up for the World Cup warm-up against the Netherlands. Suddenly, apparently out of nowhere, Gomez is forcing Bradley to at least give some further consideration to his final selection.

Gomez has flirted with the national team before but Bradley concluded the experiment prematurely. Three years ago Gomez was called up for the Copa America, to which the U.S. team had been invited, but was deemed expendable after a couple of less than memorable appearances.

Was he given a fair chance to prove himself at international level? Perhaps not but Bradley did not issue another invitation. Maybe Gomez, who is fast becoming the Super Sub of Mexico's Primera Division, will receive one now.

Since joining Puebla in January, Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles and raised in Las Vegas, has fired eight goals in a mere 13 games - nine of them as a substitute. Impressive numbers for any forward, never mind a converted midfielder/winger.

Goal scorers feed on the addiction. It's like a drug which demands a constant fix. The more they score, the more they have to score. Gomez has simply caught fire and is overdosing on goals with seven in his last 8 outings. It's a mighty impressive strike rate which isn't too little, but it may be too late.

A spot for Gomez?

Bradley already has in mind the 23 players he wants to take to South Africa. Gomez wasn't and isn't on that list and the U.S. has only two more exhibition games in late May before the plane departs. Bradley will likely take four strikers, namely Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies (if fit), and one more.

Robbie Findley, Eddie Johnson, Conor Casey, and Brian Ching have all been given opportunities to fill the final vacancy with varying degrees of success. Ching is currently sidelined with injury but none can claim to be anywhere close to Gomez' current scoring record.

Then factor in the degree of difficulty associated with scoring in the Mexican league compared to MLS (Johnson excepted since he is in Greece with Freddy Adu) and the pro-Gomez lobby gets louder still. Sooner or later Bradley must act, but unless it is sooner, Gomez will watch the World Cup on TV.

It is Bradley's prerogative to choose whom he will to best represent the U.S. in South Africa. Whatever the stats tell him he must also consider whether Herculez Gomez can be successfully re-integrated into his squad at short notice.

A conundrum indeed, which can resolved by only one man. Does Bradley gamble on Gomez' scoring exploits and ability to impact from the bench or go with what he has built through qualifying? It's the ultimate "What If?" and, even at the 11th hour, Bradley must risk big and take Gomez to the World Cup.