Popular Now:
Americans Abroad Major League Soccer MLS USMNT
Top Stories

Who should the USMNT start vs. France?

by

  USAEcuadorFlagTeam (ISIPhotos.com)

The U.S. men's national team returns to action on Friday with a match-up against France, a match that should tell us plenty about the current state of Jurgen Klinsmann's team.

Klinsmann will have a strong group to choose from for Friday's match. Both Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will be available, and German-born Fabian Johnson is set to make his national team debut.

Here is the team Klinsmann will have to choose from against France:

GOALKEEPERS-  Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS- Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon) 

MIDFIELDERS– Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS– Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

So what lineup could we see on Friday? Here is a squad we could see Klinsmann turn to, as well as the lineup I think would be the best one to go with against France:

PROJECTED USMNT lineup vs. FRANCE

———————Altidore———————-

Shea—————Dempsey————Williams

———-Beckerman——-Bradley—————-

Chandler—Bocanegra—Onyewu—-Cherundolo

———————Howard————————

The above lineup is the squad I can see Klinsmann giving a look to. As much as I think we will see Fabian Johnson get a look, I don't see him breaking into the starting lineup for this one.

(UPDATE- with Landon Donovan skipping the match, the lineup has been adjusted to move Danny Williams to the right flank, and sliding Michael Bradley into the starting lineup. If the USA was playing a weaker opponent, I could see Fabian Johnson starting and just one defensive midfielder in the lineup, but with all the problems France can pose, you can expected to see a lineup similar to this one.)

The back four seems to be all but set, though you would wonder if Klinsmann would try out newcomer Alfredo Morales at right back. It seems more likely we would see changes to the back-line in the friendly against Slovenia on Tuesday.

The biggest question mark is in defensive midfield, where Klinsmann's affinity for Beckerman is well documented. With Danny Williams playing in his more natural central midfield role, this squad will have the tenacious bulldog who can do the dirty work while Beckerman distributes from deep in midfield. It isn't the tandem I would start, but it seems to be a good bet for Klinsmann, who could also go with Jermaine Jones in place of Williams.

So what lineup would I go with against France? It's not much different, save for the two defensive midfield slots:

———————Altidore———————–

Shea—————Johnson————–Dempsey

—————Edu———-Bradley—————–

Chandler—Bocanegra—Onyewu—-Cherundolo

———————Howard————————

(UPDATE- Landon Donovan's absence leads to a shifting of Clint Dempsey to the right wing and Fabian Johnson in the starting lineup. Why? Johnson is a natural playmaker so seeing him work the midfield is an intriguing proposition.)

Klinsmann has stayed away from the Edu-Bradley pairing since taking over as head coach, and there seems to be a belief from him that these two are too similar, and that Bradley can't handle a heavily defensive role. This is far from accurate. While Bradley has certainly always taken on a more attack-minded role in his time with the national team, he can certainly handle being a deeper-lying option. In fact, with Serie A side Chievo that is exactly what he is doing. I'm aware that Edu hasn't exactly stood out during his appearances under Klinsmann, but we also haven't seen him paired with Bradley.

I also wouldn't mind seeing another run of the Bradley-Jermaine Jones tandem. Before you go with the "We saw Bradley and Jones in Gold Cup and it didn't work" argument, I would argue that both players can work well in this set-up when they are on form and both are now playing regular and playing well in some of the top leagues in the world.

==

What lineup would you like to see the USA play against France? Which of the above lineups do you see having the best chance of beating the French?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  6. I think that you are underestimating Lichaj. He can play either side, and “at his best” he shut down Gareth Bale – who isn’t a slouch. I personally like the fact that we have a few good outside defenders that are still young enough that we could see substantial improvement.

    Reply

  7. Also, if Klinsmann is committed to a single target-man up top, when are we going to see Teal Bunbury? He’s at least as skilled as Altidore.

    Sapong would fill that role nicely in the next couple years too.

    Reply

  9. The first line-up is certainly what we should take-in against France.

    Against Slovenia, I’d trot out this team:

    ————Altidore————–

    Shea———Johnson——-Dempsey

    ——Jones———-Bradley——-

    Johnson–Bocanegra–Onyewu–Chandler

    ————–Howard————–

    Reply

  11. Ahaha very nice – As for the projected line-up: I would like Ive’s 1st projected line-up but replace Williams with Fabian Johnson on the right and replace Beckerman with Williams (His natural position and I believe he and Bradley will pair well). IMO this line-up would be pretty damn good.

    Reply

  12. Yeah. I love the top five spots of your line-up, with Chandler on the right flank.

    ———-Altidore——-

    ———-Dempsey——–

    Shea—-Johnson——-Chandler

    Four of the guys are 22 years old or younger, with the tough veteran Clint Dempsey in the middle. I would give just about anything to see a starting line-up with those five on top against France. And if doesn’t work, well, back to the drawing board. I think at some point, sooner rather than later, a big club is going to pay a big transfer fee for Chandler and turn him into an attacking midfielder.

    Williams at holding mid? Maybe. I think he is capable of handling it. But Jermaine Jones has been a defensive beast the past few weeks for Schalke and I think chances are good Klinsmann will want his nastiness in the starting line-up against France as an enforcer. But he is a loose canon and always a potential red card.

    Unlike some who are touting MB now as a strong defender, I don’t think MB could handle being the lone defensive midfielder as played by Beckerman, who has done a solid job in that highly demanding role. Each time MB was subbed in against Honduras and Ecuador in the second half, he came in paired with Beckerman, playing a bit ahead of Beckerman. He has not yet been put in that hot spot alone under Klinsmann. Since MB’s bad showing against Inter Milan, where he was playing a 100% purely defensive role and was constantly being beaten, his coach has pulled him forward from that position. Who knows? Maybe Klinsmann will give MB a tryout as the lone holding mid and maybe MB will handle it, but I am skeptical. I see MB now more as a very poised and skilled second half sub who can be brought in to hold leads (if we ever get one). And as Ives notes, Klinsmann might be wise to put the lone holding midfield experiment on ice against France and instead go with two defensive midfielders.

    Is Boca really playing left back for the Rangers? The games I saw earlier this season he was left center back. I do think Edu might be able to be a solid center back. Would be interesting to see him in that role. He could probably distribute better than some of the other options.

    Reply

  13. Actually this is Klinsmann’s ideal roster of “guys who should barely be getting call ups if at all, yet for the most part are now US camp regulars”:

    ———–Buddle—Buddle———–
    Beasley–Beckerman–Larentowicz-Rogers
    Castillo—Orozco—Orozco—Castillo

    Reply

  14. That means Altidore would be on the bench. Sorry. I cant stand him on the usmnt. Our team will always remain mediocre as long as he is a starter.

    Reply

  17. Mike Magee who has less goals than Teal Bunbury, Justin Braun, Chris Pontius, Chris Wondolowski, Brian Ching, Conor Casey,Juan Agudelo and Charlie Davies? Also the same Mike Magee who is 27 and would be 30 by WC14? Why exactly would Jurgen waste time with him? He’s got 3 goals in the playoffs. Great, he had 5 all season. He’s had a hot month and is backed up by some of the best players in the league. Doesn’t mean he deserves a USMNT spot.

    Reply

  22. I agree. Starting together in the bundesliga for a good team means chemistry and skill. I really think it can be a good partnership, especially because I would prefer to see Williams in his normal DM position as opposed to the right side of midfield.

    Klinsmann Likely:

    ———-Altidore———–
    ——Dempsey—————-
    Shea——–Edu——–Rogers
    ———–Beckerman———
    Chandler—Boca—Gooch—Dolo
    ———–Howard————

    My Lineup (Given the players on the roster):

    ——-Altidore——Buddle—–
    Shea–Johnson–Williams–Dempsey
    Chandler—Boca—Gooch—Dolo
    ———–Howard————-

    Reply

  25. here is my line up.

    Altidore

    Dempsey

    Shea Johnson Chandler

    Williams

    Boca Edu Goodson Dolo

    you have your best flank attacks that USMNT has ever had. You have the interior mid of two Germicans that already play together. Boca is playing great for club as a natural LB, Edu is the question mark here, I like him because I think he is more suited for the role, and Dolo is dolo.

    Reply

  26. post was meant to be a reply to The fine example of how not to go about life as demonstrated by the idiot with diarreah of the mouth.

    Reply

  27. the real question is, would that line-up beat

    Ching-E.Johnson
    Beasley-Klestjan-Klestjan-Beasley
    Bornstein-Bornstein-Bornstein-Bornstein

    Reply

  29. we have so many good midfielders it makes sense to play the 4-2-3-1, though I agree it can be ugly on the offensive end, but who do we have at forward right now anyway.

    with Donovan out though, I agree with the 4-4-2, give the keys to Dempsey, let the quick kids run up and down the wings, throw Altidore and Beasley up front, Beasley has some veteran guile to add to Altidore’s bull.

    Reply

  32. I think you’re spot on with the lineup, with the possible exception of right wing. I’d say odds are against WIlliams getting the start. I have a hunch Rogers gets the nod, but Shea is a strong possibility.

    Reply

  37. I think the French will prevent our offensive attack up the middle, start the Germans (Chandler and Johnson) and attack the flanks!!!!

    Reply

  38. I like this formation, but now that Donovan is not on board I would like to see Johnson wide right and Edu where you have Williams. My understanding is that Williams is a more defensive midfielder for his club and less established for his side than Johnson, who is more of an attacking midfielder.

    Reply

  40. Dolo is the best US right back.

    Chandler is the best US left back.

    Lichaj at his best, is not in the same class with those two.

    There are a number of others to try out for he left back slot so even if Dolo declines, and you all are just dying for him to leave the scene, Lichaj will have a hard time getting back on this US team as anything other than a part timer.

    Reply

  43. Wait, what? The media and fans can’t legitimately criticize Klinsmann’s strategic choices or player evaluations? I’m still pro-Klinsmann, but that is an insane position. No one has to agree with Ives or me over Klinsmann, but what’s the point of reading and discussing this stuff if we aren’t allowed to disagree with the coach’s judgments?

    Reply

  44. While two defensive midfielders would help abate France’s attack going forward, I’m partial to the USMNT going with two up top.

    ——————Altidore—————
    ——————–Dempsey————–
    —Shea———-Williams——Donovan—
    —————–Bradley—————–
    –Chandler—–Boca–Gooch——-Dolo–

    Reply

  46. He plays CAM. He barley never plays LB for Hoffenheim so it can be a big mistake putting him there unless he’s up for the huge challenge.

    Reply

  48. —-Deuce—-Jozy—-LD—-
    ———–Junior———-
    ——Williams—Jones—–
    TC–Boca–Gooch–F.Johnson
    ———Howard———–

    Reply

  49. 4-4-2
    f-Jozy Deuce
    lm-break; cam donovan, rm-chandler
    cdm-jones/bradley
    lb-johnson, cb-boca, gooch(hurt?) rb dolo

    g-Riblaaahhh timmyyy

    Reply

  50. I think he is going with a 4-1-3-2 Formation

    ——Altidore———Donovan——

    Shea———-Dempsey———Williams

    ————–Jones/Bradley———-

    Fabian/Tim—–Boca——-Gooch—–Morales/Dolo

    or 4-2-3-1

    —————Altidore————–

    Dempsey——–Williams——–Donovan

    ———Fabian———Jones——–

    Chandler—Bocanegra—Onyewu—-Morales/dolo

    —————-Howard—————-

    Reply

Leave a Comment