As the United States now looks ahead to the
World Cup this summer, a lot of speculation will inevitably arise concerning
the starting 11 that will take the pitch the first game in Brazil. Above you
can see my particular prediction for the XI (in the 4-2-3-1 formation) that I
think Jurgen Klinsmann will choose as his main squad when June rolls around;
below you will find some explanation regarding my selections.
Goalie: Tim Howard (Everton)
· This specific position will all come down to how Howard and his current
backup, Brad Guzan of Aston Villa, perform this upcoming season in England.
However, as I see it, Howard’s leadership and command over his area, combined
with the relative inexperience of the center backs in front of him, is too
crucial for Klinsmann to ignore. However, as mentioned before, if Guzan can
continue his inspired run of form that has allowed him to flourish as a keeper
over the course of the past year, things could most definitely change.
Fullbacks: Damarcus Beasley (LB, Puebla) and Michael Parkhurst (RB, FC
Augsburg)
· Beasley has had a rejuvenation of sorts as a left back for the Stars
and Stripes, and although the past couple of games against Costa Rica and
Mexico have had their ups and downs, the high-level of experience that he has, combined
with his ability to work his way up the field and hold off attackers (despite
his diminutive stature), means he is invaluable to his side.
· Michael Parkhurst has had a coming-out party recently. Playing at the
Gold Cup this summer has given Parkhurst the confidence he needed after being a
second thought for Klinsmann in previous competitions. Coming on for a
seemingly lost Fabian Johnson on Tuesday, he made solid overlapping runs and
held down his area against the Mexican attack. The United States tends to run through
right backs quickly, but he just might be able to stave off the likes of
Johnson and Brad Evans to crack the starting lineup.
Center Backs: Matt Besler (Sporting KC) and Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
· Besler, the 2013 All-Star and 2012 MLS Defender of the Year, has put
in several solid performances for the USMNT, combining good defensive
fundamentals with solid pace. Besler finds a way to limit mistakes and has a
solid sense of awareness of his surroundings. He has come on to the stage with
conviction and seems to be a shoe-in for the starting spot.
· Gonzalez is another young American defender who has thrived in the
MLS, scoring the only goal for the All-Stars against Roma over the summer. His
height and strength make him an intimidating force for opposing teams,
but—especially when he’s paired with Clarence Goodson, as we saw in the Mexico
game—he tends to come up a little too far off of his line. If he can stray away
from this and can develop a good sense of understanding and communication with
Besler, the position that has concerned the fans the most over the past couple
of years can be shored up.
Central Midfielders: Jermaine Jones (FC Schalke 04) and Michael
Bradley (AS Roma)
· Jermaine Jones is a quandary; it’s really as simple as that. He can
disappoint fans in one game, turning the ball over on numerous possessions
(i.e. versus Costa Rica), and then follow that up with a reassuring match,
commanding his area and falling back appropriately (i.e. versus Mexico). His
pace allows him to make up for these inevitable mistakes and his aggression
does lead to a lot of yellow cards, but Jones’ knowledge of the holding
midfielder position and his workhorse mentality ensure fans that his is one
spot that they need not worry about.
· Michael Bradley is, for the majority of fans, the most important
American player at this moment. Il
Generale, as the Roma fans affectionately call him, consistently makes
sensible passes and is constantly the man setting up goals. While he may not
always get on the scoresheet for an assist, Bradley sets up chances with his
impeccable vision and can track back if necessary.
Wingers: Clint Dempsey (LM, Seattle Sounders) and Graham Zusi (RM,
Sporting KC)
· Dempsey’s recent move back to the MLS was an interesting one, to say
the least, something I would have seen him doing 5 years down the road, but his
impact on US soccer as a whole is undeniable. His work ethic and his ability to
score (as was on display during the friendly vs. Germany) have made him a
standard for the US when he’s not injured. Deuce may be 30, but he will be a
shoe-in for Klinsmann’s XI for the foreseeable future.
· Zusi will have to beat out competitors like Alejandro Bedoya, and
Fabian Johnson, and possibly even Brad Evans, but my reasoning for this
selection is simple. Look at the friendly against Germany, and you will see
Zusi make beautiful crosses to Jozy Altidore, run down the flank into space
like the seasoned veteran he is, and play the right midfield position to near
perfection. His free kicks are just another part of the package that makes Zusi so
enticing for Team USA.
Attackers: Landon Donovan (CAM, LA Galaxy) and Jozy Altidore (ST,
Sunderland)
· Landon Donovan—what really is there to say? The most influential
player in the USMNT’s 100-year history reminded everyone of his potential
during the impressive Gold Cup run, his first time back from his sabbatical.
Scoring again on Tuesday against Mexico, pink
eye and all, Donovan only solidified his case for starting attacking
midfielder in Brazil, making good runs and seemingly always finding a way to
put home balls played by his teammates. This is really a no brainer.
· Jozy Altidore, before the friendlies over the summer, was the most
perplexing player employed by Jurgen Klinsmann; he would control every game for
his club side AZ Alkmaar of the Dutch Eredivisie, putting up jaw-dropping
numbers in the process, and then would go scoreless time and time again for the
national team. One goal and one assist against Germany and a hat-trick against
Bosnia and Herzegovina stopped this scoring funk in its tracks and simply confirmed
the reasoning for fans’ high expectations. Altidore has pace, strength, and the
ability to create opportunities for himself, and will probably edge out Eddie
Johnson for the starting striker spot.
