Photo by ISIPhotos.com
The U.S. men's national team's 1-0 victory against Honduras had its share of bright spots, but also some question marks, making Tuesday's friendly against Ecuador a good chance for some players to redeem themselves, and for some to show their stuff after seeing only limited time on Saturday.
As I noted in my Fox Soccer column on the U.S. team's win against Honduras, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Bradley and DaMarcus Beasley all impressed off the bench against Honduras and all should earn starts on Tuesday night. Just how many established veterans Klinsmann hands starts to, and how many gives rests to, is tough to tell and will ultimately determine what the U.S. lineup will look like at Red Bull Arena.
So which starting lineup will we see face Ecuador? Here is one potential squad we could see get the nod:
PROJECTED USMNT LINEUP vs. ECUADOR
———————-Altidore———————-
Beasley————Dempsey——————-Shea
————–Bradley——-Williams—————–
Chandler—Bocanegra—–Onyewu—–Cherundolo
———————Howard————————
—-
Here are some thoughts:
This lineup only has three new starters from Saturday. That might be too few changes considering the short turnaround, but I think we're more likely to see some of these players go just 45 minutes rather than wholesale changes to start the match.
Klinsmann was very happy with Danny Williams on Saturday, and this would give Williams a chance to show what he can do playing in a more natural central midfield role.
If Klinsmann doesn't turn to Williams again, then look for Maurice Edu to be partnered with Bradley. Klinsmann could go with Kyle Beckerman as well, but since we got to see the Bradley-Beckerman combo work some on Saturday, the Bradley-Edu tandem seems a more likely pick on Tuesday.
Beasley should get a start on the left, which will give Klinsmann another chance to watch Brek Shea playing on the right flank, where he can cut inside and still deliver some good right-footed service even though he's more naturally left footed.
Here's another potential lineup we could see:
———–Altidore——–Agudelo—————
Beasley————Dempsey—————–Shea
———————Bradley———————–
Spector—Bocanegra—–Onyewu——-Chandler
———————Howard————————
Juan Agudelo has mainly been a sub under Klinsmann, but you have to wonder if the U.S. coach wants to take a look at Altidore and Agudelo playing together. Klinsmann did say he was wary of rushing Agudelo, so we could see someone like Edson Buddle instead if Klinsmann wants to see a two-forward lineup.
Steve Cherundolo is rested in this projected lineup, which gives us a chance to see Chandler at his more natural right back position.
Another possibility here defensively is Danny Williams playing at either right back or left back, with Timmy Chandler playing opposite him.
——-
What do you think of or projected lineup? What would you change? Who are you hoping to see get major minutes on Tuesday? Who are you not interested in seeing?
Share your thoughts below.