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Who should Klinsmann call up vs. Italy? (Defenders and Goalkeepers)

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Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team's friendly against Italy is a little more than two weeks away, and it is the first chance that manager Jurgen Klinsmann has to have his "A" team assembled together in the new year.

With only a few friendlies remaining before World Cup qualifying begins in June, Klinsmann will look to the Feb. 29 match in Genoa as a measuring stick for where his in-form, mostly European-based players currently stand. Italy's attack might be without the injured Alberto Gilardino and the recovering Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi, but that hardly means the Azzurri won't challenge and pressure the U.S. defense and try to dictate the tempo and rhythm of the match on their home soil.

Considering Klinsmann's track record and current players' form and health, the back four and starting goalkeeper are pretty well established by this point, but it is the depth spots behind them that are points of contention. The fact that the U.S. Under-23 national team is holding a camp and playing in a friendly at the same time as this match also has to be taken into account for some of Klinsmann's selections.

So which goalkeepers and defenders should Klinsmann call up to face the Italians? Here's who we think should get the nod:

GOALKEEPERS

Tim Howard, Brad Guzan

Howard is the unquestioned starter of the bunch and will be between the posts against Italy. That's about as much as a given as there is when it comes to the U.S. lineup. After him, it gets a little more unclear. Bill Hamid has been anointed Klinsmann's No. 2, but with the U.S. Under-23 national team slated to have a training camp in the 10 days leading up to a friendly against Mexico's U-23 side that is on the same day as the Italy friendly, it seems unlikely that Hamid would be brought along for this trip. 

Considering how well Guzan showed in his time as Aston Villa's starter, it is worth Klinsmann's time to bring him in and assess his progress. 

DEFENDERS

CENTERBACKS: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Zak Whitbread, Geoff Cameron

Considering form and ability, Bocanegra and Onyewu remain the first-choice centerback pairing in the U.S. player pool. Onyewu has worked his way back into peak shape while with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, while Bocanegra has maintained his status as the anchor of Rangers' back line.

The battle for the spots behind them is where the discussion really takes off. With Clarence Goodson having his winter break wind down with Brondby, he isn't likely to be at the ideal fitness level to face the Azzurri.

Couple that with Michael Orozco Fiscal not showing much in past call-ups to merit another look, Tim Ream just now starting to work his way into Bolton's lineup, George John still sorting out whether his move to West Ham will be a full transfer and Omar Gonzalez having a torn ACL, and it figures to be a perfect time for Whitbread to get his first look under Klinsmann and for Cameron to get his first run out with the A team after a strong showing at the January training camp.

Whitbread suffered a hamstring injury in Norwich City's match against Bolton two weekends ago, meaning that his inclusion is dependent on his health, a common theme in the 27-year-old defender's career. Orozco Fiscal, Goodson and Michael Parkhurst are likely next in the pecking order.

FULLBACKS: Steve Cherundolo, Timmy Chandler, Jonathan Spector, Alfredo Morales 

In a one-game scenario, Cherundolo on the right and Chandler on the left are Klinsmann's top options right now. Chandler can man either flank if need be, while Spector, a stalwart in Birmingham's lineup this season in the club's quest for promotion, can provide cover on either side as well.

Morales, who has been starting recently for Hertha Berlin (even though he struggled this past weekend), is a right-sided option and has already caught Klinsmann's eye given his call-up for the France and Slovenia friendlies.

Bocanegra can still provide cover on the left, although he has yet to be called upon for that duty by Klinsmann, and considering the premium on roster space and multitude of versatile midfielders and attacking players that will get the call, no more than eight defenders should wind up making the trip. Keep in mind that players like Hoffenheim's Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams can also put in time in the back if need be.

As for those not making our cut: Edgar Castillo is getting regular minutes at left back for Tijuana, but that does not mean that the holes in his game that were exposed during his previous call-ups have been corrected. Eric Lichaj has just returned from a five-month injury layoff, and while he may get some minutes with Aston Villa's first team in the coming weeks, it's still a bit too soon to throw him into the fire against Italy. Come the friendlies in May and World Cup qualifying in June, Lichaj could very well be in the picture.

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Which goalkeepers and defenders do you think Klinsmann should call up for the Italy friendly?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Unfortunately you may be right. I really like what JK is doing with the US system as a whole but this Beckerman nonsense has got to stop. For some reason I just think he has been inserting Beckerman into the lineup to piss off Edu and Bradley and get them to buy in to the system. Kyle is a great MLS guy but he is no where near the talent of the others.

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  2. You need Fabian Johnson in the game.Who do you take out? Altidore. You need M.Bradley in the game. Who do you take out? Beckerman or Jones.

    Back 4 ok. Here are the rest

    ————-Jones (or Beckerman)—-Shea–

    ——–Donovan—–Bradley——Johnson—-

    ———————–Dempsey————-

    We need to start pushing M.Bradley forward into attack.

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  3. Well, for one thing, JK has made it clear left back is Chandler’s job to lose for the foreseeable future:

    “In Timothy Chandler you have a highly talented player who is growing into the left back position,” Klinsmann said. “And still he’s a raw talent. He still has to learn a lot of things. He knows that. And there’s a lot of upside in his game that can develop. But for right now, he has that starting position. It’s his. And he’s moving along in that process.”

    And, Dolo seems to have won back his starting spot with Hannover. As long as that he true he is the USMNT right back.

    However, if you believe that Potts’ five games for West Ham make him a better bet than Lichaj, Morales, Spector, Loyd, Fbian Johnson, Danny Williams, or Heath Pearce, then fine cap him there and let’s see how he does with a team of players he has never practiced with or maybe even met before.

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  4. Whitbread is no kid but still he has yet to even practice with the USMNT and he is coming off an injury on top of that.

    To just throw him in at a critical position like centerback, with a bunch of strangers who he has never played with before, against Italy, in Italy, of all teams, is not being fair to Zak or the team.

    Call him up so he can get acquainted with the guys and maybe throw him in near the end if the game but I wouldn’t expect him to get significant time.

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  5. If you read my post at all you’d see that I mentioned his u-18 call. This call is really irrelevant to whether or not JK wants to call him in. How is he not ready btw? Just because he is young? Because he has been starting and playing well consistantly for the best club in the championship… riddle me that one please.

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  6. I’m confused why everyone thinks we can’t call Potts up. He’s started matches for a good team. Probably already better than Castillo and he got several shots.

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  7. ————-Howard————
    Chandler-Onyewu-Boca-Cherundolo
    ——–Jones—Beckermann——
    –Dempsey—Donovan——Shea—
    ————-Altidore————-

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  8. Assuming Demps takes a more central SS role, and Dolo takes RB, the left wing and LB positions come down to Chandler, Shea, and Johnson.

    If Johnson is LB, Chandler gets left off. If Johnson is LW, Shea is left off.

    Personally I think we’d be better off leaving off Shea and allowing him to come on as a sub, therefore I’d start Johnson at LW and Chandler at LB (for this game at least).

    Although I will say I think Shea has a huge upside and will be the future at the position, and when Dolo finally bows out Johnson may very well be the long term answer at LB.

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  9. Chef you know Beckerman is going to be in there assuming he’s healthy. I hate it but might as well be somewhat realistic. At the expense of Edu maybe.

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  10. 18 man roster and starting 11 in a 4-3-3 are noted by position.

    GK: GK Tim Howard; Brad Guzan

    DEF: LB Timothy Chandler; CB Oguchi Onyewu; CB Carlos Bocanegra; RB Steve Cherundolo; Geoff Cameron; Zak Whitbread

    MID: DCM Michael Bradley; CM Fabian Johnson; ACM Clint Dempsey; Maurice Edu; Danny Williams

    FWD: LW Shea; CF Altidore; RW Landon Donovan; Sapong

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  11. Uuuuuuh…what?

    No Bradley? Is Adam Henely your brother or something? There is a U23 camp at the same time…

    Your name should be blaze420 for obvious reasons.

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  12. How come it’s not about the numbers (wins) right now for Klinsman, but it is for Bradley. It’s a bit hypocritical if you ask me. If you’ve seen Chievo play you’d realize Bradley’s job isn’t assists or goals. He does his job quite effectively.

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  13. Cameron is the current flavor of the month but I thought Parkhurst looked better. We’ll see if Klinsman agrees.

    Getting by Gooch and Boca, nobody from the usual group is really showing much. Klinsman needs to work more with the Parkhurst and Cameron’s of the world and this is the time to do it

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  14. He won the European U-21 championship with Germany at Left Back and the last 2 games for sure he’s started and gone 90 at Left Back, he has played there this season in more occasions than the last 2 games

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  15. yeah bradley, the guy with one assist all year or the guy who gets scared everytime he gets the ball and someone pressures him ……..Ill gladly leave him out!

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  16. The way Edgar Castillo is playing I think calling him up will boost up his cofidence. Although Eric Lichaj just came back from injury he needs playing time and training with the USMNT will be in the right direction. Alferdo Morales should be called up but for the U23 team, they need him more than the senior squad needs him. Johnathan Spector has been playing great but the fact that we have Cherundolo and Chandler we don’t have the room for Spector. Geoff Cameron and Zak Whitbread deserves call up but are they ready to play against an elite side in Italy? Here is my 22 man Roster for the upcoming ITALY VS USA game on February 29th:

    GK: Tim Howard; Brad Guzan (2)

    DEF: Timothy Chandler; Oguchi Onyewu; Carlos Bocanegra; Eric Lichaj; Steve Cherundolo; Geoff Cameron; Zak Whitbread; Edgar Castillo (8)

    MID: Landon Donovan; Jermaine Jones; Michael Bradley; Fabian Johnson; Clint Dempsey; Maurice Edu; Danny Williams; Jose F Torres; Sacha Kljestan (9)

    FW: Jozy Altidore; Edson Buddle; Herculez Gomez (3)

    Reply
  17. i’m guess that you didn’t see this… ” the U.S. Under-23 national team slated to have a training camp in the 10 days leading up to a friendly against Mexico’s U-23 side that is on the same day as the Italy friendly”

    Reply
  18. GK- Howard, Guzan
    DF- Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Gooch, Chandler, Whitbread, Spector, Parkhurst, Goodson
    MF- Torres, Bradley, Jones, Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Shea, Johnson, Kljestan, Williams
    FW- Altidore, Buddle

    U-23’s (for friendly, not olympics)
    GK- Hamid, Johnson
    DF- Morales, Potts, Henley, Kitchen, Agbossoumonde, Valentin, Dominique-Fennell
    MF- Adu, Duka, Diskerud, Corona, Okugo, Lletget, Jeffrey
    FW- Gyau, Gatt, Boyd, Bunbury, Agudelo

    Reply

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