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Lichaj doubtful for Mexico game

Lichaj (ISIphotos)

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

Eric Lichaj's emergence at left back was one of the bright spots for the United States men's national team during the Gold Cup, but it doesn't look like he'll be manning that position in next week's rematch against Mexico.

Lichaj picked up a minor hip injury during Aston Villa's preseason trip to Hong Kong and is doubtful to participate in next Wednesday's friendly, a source close to Lichaj told SBI.

With the start of the Premier League season on the horizon and two more friendlies coming up in the next month — including one in Europe — it seems highly unlikely that Lichaj would be risked next week when other issues, such as cementing his place on the team or seeking a long-term loan elsewhere, are of greater importance.

What do you think of this development? Who do you see starting at left back for the United States against Mexico?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Actually, I believe Ponce is cap tied, Copa America is a Fifa-recognized “A” competition, correct? The one time switch only applies if you’ve played unofficial games for the senior team, such as friendlies (jermaine jones, for example).

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  2. after the Generation Adidas tour in Spain, many European scouts commented on Shea’s ability at centerback and left back, not the attacking midfielder we all see him as. it’s worth a shot

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  3. Certainly not picking random names. Did you even read the reasoning behind my choices?

    I’ve seen Ashe play 6 times this year live and he’s played well in all of them. Admittedly, I’ve been pretty fortunate in that all the games I’ve gone to have been wins or draws, but nonetheless.

    Rather than respond in a d*ckish fashion, why don’t you enlighten us all regarding the dozens of other candidates we have waiting to play left back?

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  4. Bocanegra is fairly natural out there, so if he (or whoever follows him) shifts left to cover for Shea going forward it should work out fairly well since we have capable d-mids who could cover for the LCB when he shifts over. Still exposes us to the counterattack due to the lack of speed, but that is universal no matter what personnel are in.

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  5. Dunivant is a good defender however, he is a turnover waiting to happen. Not international quality. Now your talking with the Farfan brothers. Very technical, attack-minded and an excellent first touch. The sad thing is that the farfan bro that plays left back is the better of the two and excels in the attacking third as a winger. You want a latin influence Jurgen? You cant go wrong with these two.

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  6. +1

    Donvan plays as an inverted left mid. Having Break Shea behind him as a natural attacking left footer would be interesting to see. Donovan likes to pinch in centrally and Shea likes running down the wing. would make for some good overlapping. Don’t know how it would turn out defesively though.

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  7. Please let’s not mentione Corey Ashe and the USMNT in the same sentence any more. What about Brek Shea — can he play LB?

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  8. It’s definitely a form issue with Convey at the moment. I think overall he has the potential to be a pretty solid left back for the nats, but unfortunately right now he’s just not doing so hot, like you said. I’d like to see him or Loyd called up for the position for the next few friendlies.

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  9. I can almost promise you it’ll be Castillo or Lloyd on the left. We already know Bornstein can’t cut it, and there’s little upside in plugging in older MLS guys who have tried and failed at the International level before. Klinsmann may also have some other ideas in mind, guys we haven’t heard of. He was well-known for springing relative unknowns on the German national team…and this was something that made him quite unpopular in the Bayern locker room as well, because Klinsmann is utterly unafraid of replacing a vet with a younger player, even an known, if he dubs the new player of sufficient quality.

    Klinsmann will want to start bringing in his own guys as quickly as possible and it’s likely to start here.

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  10. This is a great opportunity to see Klinsy wave his magic wand and turn Patrice Evra into an American. Or maybe he can sprinkle some fairy dust over Heath Pearce and turn him into Philip Lamm. They are both German, after all.

    In all seriousness, though, look at the names we are discussing here. These are not international calibre players! Let’s not go crazy if the LB continues to be an issue as it has been since Jeff Agoos. Klinsi is a manager, not a magician.

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  11. under. 4-2 would be my guess again, as Klinsman sends numbers forward, scoring more goals than usual, but experiments with less talented players on defense while also leaving them exposed on counterattacks when the midfield plays higher up.

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  12. I would like to see Klinsman call in Convey, Castillo, or Lloyd in and see how they do…I don’t see Dunivant as a long term option, and I agree that the Bornstein and Pearce experiment is long over. I really hope to see Chandler on the right side…

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  13. I don’t think Boca is the first choice left back anymore. Wasn’t in the world cup, wasn’t in the gold cup. Looks like Lichaj and Spector will be battling for it, and hopefully Loyd. He has looked really good.

    Boca is just too slow for the position. No way around it really, he has pretty decent awareness and tactical knowledge, but not nearly enough to cover the gap in speed between him and whoever lines up on the right wing for any decent team.

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  14. I dont think a one-time switch is needed with Johnson because he only played for the German youth teams. As for Ponce, I meant to say he would be better than some other options but simply forgot to add that. He played twice for mexico in the copa america so he would have to file for a 1 time switch if he decided to pull a edgar castillo which means he will not play mexico. The Copa America does not cap-tie a player so he could switch in the future regardless of how unlikely it is.

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  15. sorry but I put Agudelo twice, and another correction. “I want new player” not “I was new players.”… Anyway I think is time for the USMNT to start looking into this new young players some of the U20 n U18 are in the aboard and some play here in the MLS. give them a chance. Lets stop been dependent of Donovan and the rest of the Veteran player remember soon they will be old for the next world cup.

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  16. then no MLS left back is good enough to play internationally. Im not quite sure how you get off saying that since we havent seen Dunivant in a US jersey on his recent form… Dunivant is miles over Convey at left back in my opinion. I never said Dunivant would be, when he is playing like the best left back in MLS though, he is worth calling in for sure.

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  17. Castillo’s gotten a good run of games in the preseason but has to really play for club.

    Corey Ashe would be an interesting player to call in.

    I don’t agree with most that Convey doesn’t deserve a couple shots with the nats. His been very good all season for SJ.

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  18. I’ve advocated a 3-5-2, ever since it became apparent that we don’t have four defenders who I’d trust. The formation also allows Jones/Bradley/Edu (2 of them) to sit back and play their natural, DM positions without worrying about getting forward. Dempsey will most likely not play in this friendly, which I’m fine with – after all, the PL season starts 3 days after that. Donovan/Adu/Feilhaber/Bedoya/Torres can man the three AM positions.

    Of course, the main issue is that we don’t have 2 forwards.

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  19. Too bad Klinsi is cap tied…otherwise he could call his own name. he would probably be a better LB than half of the options!

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  20. I really would like Klismann to start playing new blood in this new era. I don’t care if the whole entired team is play with german/American born players but I was new players, We already know what Donovan, Dempsey, Ouchie, Bocanegra, Howard and Churendolu can do. Bring guys like Holden, Adu, Edu, Bradley, Agudelo, Davis, Agudelo, Gyua, Josh, Coner, Wood, Farfan, Chandler, Herzenler, Mixx, Bedoya, Torrez, and bring guy from the U20 to fill the rest. But please we need to start looking way beyond the WC14 and look to play for WC18 and start bringing little by little our new crops of players that will take over, Dempsey, Donovan etc. etc.

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  21. Given that call-ups from European teams will be limited for the Mexico game, play the entire Galaxy back line and see what happens.

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  22. Miguel Ponce plays for Mexico. He cannot play for the USMNT. Corey Ashe is a definite NO.

    Johnson is not eligible to play for the USMNT as far as I know. Hasn’t filed the necessary paperwork to make the one-time switch.

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  23. Come on with Farfan and Ashe. Are you just picking random guys and throwing their names out there? Farfan just recently has been getting on the field for the Union. And Ashe is a midget. Being a midget is fine if you are awesome technically – which he is NOT.

    Both are decent pros but Ashe is most certainly not a contender to play left back for the USMNT. And Farfan isn’t ready yet. Maybe he can develop into one.

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