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.
Fabian Johnson is an option… german mother/american serveman father I believe and is not cap-tied to Germany at the the senior team level…
Would be a shrewd call from Klinsi…
They did……. in the 09′ Gold Cup on our home soil. “If” we lose badly I won’t pin this on Klinsi too much because we only have a few days to train together, I predict a 2-1 win for Mexico, maybe 3……..
Define “regularly.”
He played about 20 minutes in week 1, and not at all last week, and didn’t play (anywhere) most of last season.
how about playing a 3-5-2.. i don’t see to many quality LB to try out.
Jurgen better have a plan because I don’t want to get killed by Mexico again…also id like an explanation of why the scheduled a US-Mexico game at the point of most confusion/disorganization in USSF; besides making money..
Lloyd has looked good in the few Nats games he has seen the turf.
I watched the first half of Valrenga – Liverpool and didn’t see Garza. Read that he
played in the 2nd half. How was he?
Castillo should be invited. Johnny B has
had his chances and until gets back on the field for Tigres, should not be invited back.
What about George John and Geoff Cameron in for looks at centerback? Cameron looked good against Man Utd in the All Star game. I was shocked how well he played.
I saw Garza play in the qualifier games and he didn’t looked polished at all.
Over/Under: Mexico scores 5 goals on the USMNT
Wait, Fabian Johnson as in Hoffenheim’s Fabian Johnson? Is he actually an option?
+1
Zak Whitbread perhaps? anywhere on the back 4?
Convey, Dunivant, none of these guys are good enough to play internationally.
FYI ALL!!!former US U-20 left back Gregory Garza is now on trial at Norwegian club Valerenga who currently play in Norway’s top division
What, no Jonny B farewell game? Can he play the first half for the US and the second half for Mexico, given that he helped them out so much in the gold cup?
It would be more about seeing how Chandler does on the left than counting on ‘Dolo to stop aging. If you really want to experiment, than leave Dolo off and try someone else on the right.
I have a sneaking suspision (based on no facts whatsoever) that Chandler would do better on the left, leaving Lichaj on the right. Could be quite a book end pair in 2014
Hmm, I honestly haven’t watched him play at all. Who else could step in?
Pearce, Lloyd or better Castillo. Dunivant is not the answer for the future and it’s time to look forward.
consensus seems to be DUNIVANT. are you listening JUERGEN?
spector needs a look somewhere on the backline too, but may be unavailable.
Todd Dunivant, Miguel Angel Ponce, Fabian Johnson, Edgar Castillo, and maybe even Corey Ashe… but please no Johnny B or Heath Pearce. We have more options at left back than people think, give them a shot since we have gone 5 years experimenting with Pearce and Bornstein (who dont even play left back anymore for their clubs).
not the worst idea, since Lichaj was predominantly a RB and had success when moved left.
but i dont see someone like cherundolo being useful in this friendly unless he plans on being a part of 2014, which is unlikely, right?
I think this is a great opportunity for all parties: the national team, Klinnman, the player pool, and us, the fans. Lichaj played well and will be back the mix as soon as he is fit. In the meantime, we get to see in the very first game against a quality opponent we get to see what Klinnsman is going to do with our most problematic position. I can’t wait.
Bocanegra is probably the first choice at LB if he is not required at CB which he may be. Ream, Goodson, maybe Onweyu or DeMerit, but Klinsmann , I thinks wants youth so maybe some of the younger guys from the January camp like Gonzales or Wynne. Always possible to use someone like Chandler, Castilla or Bornstein as a backup.
I am not overly fond of any of the options. It will be an interesting to see who Klinsmann picks.
After watching the MLS All Star game I would hope you would never want to see Convey at left back for the nats. Atleast, I dont.
I would much prefer Todd Dunivant be given a shot who has by far been the best left back in MLS this season.
I’ve caught the last few San Jose games, and Convey has been pretty terrible. A year ago I would’ve been good with it, these days not so much.
Dunivant’s kinda old, but he could be a stopgap for now.
Todd Dunivant Zach Loyd, Corey Ashe, and Gabriel Farfan all deserve looks.
Dunivant and Loyd have looked strong all season with FCD. Ashe accounted for himself well in the MLS All-Star game, and Farfan impressed by shutting down Kaka when Philly played RM.
Let’s see. Castillo has been playing regularly against Mexican opposition. Let’s see him play.
Chandler, with Cherundolo on the right.
I wasn’t mocking you at all. It sounded as though you were suggesting that he could still switch to the United States. I was simply pointing out that the option was off the table now. That’s all.
I don’t know why you were mocking me, I was agreeing with you.
Realistically that might have been Mexico’s U23 team but technically that was Mexico’s full international team in a FIFA event. Ponce has made his decision.
I understand your confusion, Elite. Ponce isn’t an option, guys. I mean, technically, he is, but realistically, he’s not. He played in the Copa America with Mexico’s U23’s.
You mean the Miguel Angel Ponce who just participated in the Copa America as a member of Mexico’s team?
makes sense to leave him out. He might get loaned out anyway from AV right? Guy picked up an injury half a world away, probably ok to miss the game.
Are you talking about Miguel Ponce?
Loyd not Castillo
A chance on Ponce? What is the risk? You invite him and he says yes or no…most likely no since he’s probably not interested in finding a new club 2 weeks into the season.
Ponce?
This.
or castillo
is zach loyd available?
Heath Pearce. or MLS’ best LB: Todd Dunivant.
Wenger, is that you?
Agreed. Time to find someone new. Convey? Maybe? I’d like to see Lloyd back in there. Thought he looked good in his one cap.
Let’s see what Dunivant can do. Also, lets see if Castillo can back up his talk. Do we even take a chance on Ponce?
Wouldn’t mind it so much.
Johnny Bornstein, duh.
I’d rather leave that flank clear then have to go back to Bornstein. Please Juergen, don’t do it. There’s gotta be another young buck to throw in there
Bobby Convey returns