Jermaine Jones (L) and Kyle Beckerman (2nd L) train with teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23, 2016, two days before the COPA America 2016, 3rd place final soccer match against Colombia. / AFP / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Jurgen Klinsmann called in 26 players ahead of a pair of World Cup Qualifying matches for the USMNT. Let’s take a look at his selections by position.
The US Men’s National Team are set for a brace of World Cup Qualifiers over the next few days. They travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines today (3:30 p.m. ET; beIN SPORTS) before returning home to host Trinidad & Tobago on September 6 (8:00 p.m. ET; FS1, Univision Networks).
On paper, the USA should handle both of these opponents with relative ease, but nothing has been easy for the Yanks during the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for Russia 2018. With two games remaining they sit in second with seven points behind Group C leading Trinidad, who currently have 10 points.
The USMNT have faltered away from home. They drew 0-0 with the group leaders back in November of last year. After winning a pair of friendlies early in the year, they laid a gigantic stinking egg away at Guatemala in March, losing 0-2. Luckily for USA fans, they would avenge the loss four days later, dominating the Guatemalans 4-0 in Columbus.
The poor away results leave the USMNT in a precarious position. A few mistakes could take their qualifying destiny out of their hands. In short, the Americans need to take care of business: Six points sees them through to the final round, or the “hexagonal” as it’s known, of World Cup Qualifying, most likely as Group C champs.
Oh, and they have to do this without talisman Clint Dempsey, who has been sidelined as result of a recently discovered irregular heartbeat.
USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann has called in 26 players ahead of these massive qualifiers. Let’s dissect his choices by position.
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
GOALKEEPERS
Jurgen Klinsmann named Brad Guzan the USMNT starting goalkeeper back in May. Guzan had earned his starting club spot back after being benched at Aston Villa in the middle of the last Premier League season. Tim Howard wasn’t playing at all at Everton.
Now, Klinsmann has decided split the starting role in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers: Guzan today at St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Howard at home on Tuesday against Trinidad & Tobago in Jacksonville.
Regarding his decision, Klinsmann told Sports Illustrated: “They’re pretty much on the same level, they’re both very important to us.”
Addressing young Ethan Horvath’s inclusion – the third keeper selected on this roster – Klinsmann said, “it hasn’t changed anything yet since the Copa America because the younger ones in line which are very talented haven’t quite reached that level yet…as of today they’re not on Tim’s and Brad Guzan’s level.”
Howard has looked poised to regain the USA #1 shirt since returning to MLS with the Colorado Rapids, who currently sit in 3rd in the Western Conference. He has been in fine form – including this insane penalty save – while Guzan left Villa for newly promoted Middlesbrough, seeming set to back-up fellow Boro signing Victor Valdez.
Valdez, after starting the first league match, was injured in training, making way for Guzan to start the next two Premier League games. If that doesn’t happen Howard very well could have been declared the starter for both games – and probably captain for today (more on that later).
As it stands, it is hard to pick between the two at the moment, making Klinsmann’s decision acceptable if not completely encouraging. I’d say most USMNT fans are comfortable with either of these options in goal at kickoff.
Jun 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; United States defender Michael Orozco reacts as he is given a red card by the referee in the second half against Colombia during the third place match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENDERS
(A quick aside: Pictured above is Michael Orozco, doing what he does best, getting sent off.)
Most fans, I’m assuming, have players for their respective teams that they would rather never see step foot on the playing service. For me, it tends to be USMNT defenders: Jonathon Bornstein used to fill that role, now it’s Michael Orozco.
Klinsmann loves him, bringing him along any chance he gets – even for important games! All kidding aside, he is purportedly selected for his versatility, but is it really helpful if you are merely mediocre at every position across the back line?
As for who will start the two qualifiers, Fabian Johnson and DeAndre Yedlin are locks to start at the full-back positions. There will be more competition, and probably more rotation, at the two center-back spots.
Omar Gonzalez is back in the team after being inexplicably left out of the USA Copa America team after winning a Liga MX title with Pachuca. DC United defender Steve Birnbaum has been given more and more reps by Klinsmann as of late, while fellow MLS defender Matt Besler remains a steady presence for Sporting KC.
It will be interesting to see what Klinsmann does with Geoff Cameron. He started the opening Premier League match for Stoke, but was an unused substitute in their following two games. He has been a favorite center-back choice for the USMNT over the last few years, but Klinsmann may opt to go with a pairing that is seeing more consistent playing time.
St. Gallen, Schweiz 09.08.2016, Testspiel BV Borussia Dortmund – Athletic Bilbao, BVB, Christian Pulisic (U-19 BVB) (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MIDFIELDERS
With Jermaine Jones withdrawing from the roster due to a knee injury, and Michael Bradley suspended for the first of the two upcoming qualifiers due to yellow card accumulation, Klinsmann will be forced to make due with a make-shift central midfield.
Sacha Kljestan may well get a start after a two-year plus absence from the national team – the New York Red Bulls midfielder initially thought the call-up was a prank. He is in top form currently, leading MLS in assists while compiling as many league goals as red-hot Jozy Altidore.
In light of Jones’s injury and Bradley’s suspension, the absence of Reading’s Danny Williams is particularly glaring – Klinsmann seems keen on not calling him into the USMNT, for whatever reason.
That leaves the potential for some mix of the aforementioned Kljestan, the way-past-his-usefulness Kyle Beckerman, attacking-minded Darlington Nagbe, and Alejandro Bedoya at central midfield. Hurry back, MB90.
The in-demand and super-promising Christian Pulisic will surely see some time on the wing, with many hoping Klinsmann will give the youngster two starts. It will be hard to justify leaving him out of the starting XI when he is scoring goals.
Bedoya, Nagbe, veteran Graham Zusi, and the speedy Paul Arriola are the other options out wide for the USMNT.
Aug 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) during the second half against the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium. Toronto FC won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
FORWARDS
Jozy Altidore has been named USMNT captain for the match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is obviously a result of Dempsey and Bradley being out, but it is also a testament to the unreal form Altidore is currently enjoying: Just look at this goal.
Klinsmann tends to prefer a formation utilizing a lone target forward up top. But the prospect of either Bobby Wood or Jordan Morris making runs off Altidore is mouth-watering to consider.
Wood has been particularly impressive for Hamburger – he was just awarded Goal of the Week by the official Bundesliga website. Morris has become a consistent goal-scoring threat with his pace and tenacity.
And then there’s Chris Wondolowski (sigh). To be fair, the aging San Jose Earthquakes striker has been good against the smallest of the CONCACAF squads, but I just don’t see the point in continuing to bring him in when he will surely not figure into the USA’s plans for Russia 2018.
It fees like it’s time for Morris and Wood to step up and claim the available playing time at forward that doesn’t go to Altidore. Here’s to hoping Klinsmann feels the same way.
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