As we stand two months away from the start of the U.S. Men's national team's World Cup qualifying process, it is about that time to start considering just what sort of team we can expect to take the field for the United States in June.
Jurgen Klinsmann has never coached a World Cup qualifier before (Germany didn't have to qualify as World Cup 2006 hosts), but that doesn't mean he doesn't have some idea of what lies ahead in venues like Guatemala and Jamaica. He will spend the next two months scouting and figuring out which players to bring to his pre-qualifying camp in May, before embarking on the quest for World Cup 2014.
So just who might Klinsmann turn to once the matches go from being friendlies to being World Cup qualifiers: Here is a starting lineup I could see him work with against Antigua & Barbuda on June 8th:
PROJECTED USA LINEUP in World Cup Qualifying
————Altidore——-Dempsey—————-
F. Johnson———-Torres—————Donovan
———————–Bradley———————–
Chandler–Bocanegra—Onyewu—–Cherundolo
——————–Howard————————-
—-
Please note that the above lineup is the lineup I see KLINSMANN using, not necessarily the lineup I would use.
It should be noted that, yes, Oguchi Onyewu is currently injured and recovering from knee surgery, but he is expected back well before World Cup qualifying begins. If he cannot recover and be sharp enough to start, then Clarence Goodson would be the sensible pick to start alongside Carlos Bocanegra.
Some might question the inclusion of Jose Torres, but the fact is Klinsmann is a big fan and Torres has been playing well for Pachuca. Also, Antigua & Barbuda could be the perfect kind of opponent to showcase Torres' skills against.
If Klinsmann decides he wants a more attack minded squad to blow away Antigua & Barbuda, we could potentially see a lineup like this:
————Altidore———Gomez—————-
F. Johnson———-Dempsey————-Donovan
———————–Bradley———————–
Chandler–Bocanegra—Onyewu—–Cherundolo
——————–Howard————————-
Herculez Gomez gets the nod in this lineup. He's in outstanding form right now, and with little more than a month to go before a national team camp convenes, it's tough to imagine Klinsmann not at least bringing him into camp.
For those wondering, this second lineup is the one I would trot out for qualifying, assuming Onyewu is healthy.
We will take a closer look next week at what a 23-man roster might look like for the U.S. national team camp. For now, give our projected lineupsc a look and let us know what you think and what you would change, if anything.
Who would you like to see earn a start in World Cup qualifying? Which if the players we listed do you NOT want to see in the starting lineup?
Share your thoughts below.
Chandler’s overall a better player than Lichaj, but Lichaj’s more comfortable on the left side. They both need to be involved in qualifying, but Chandler and Dolo will start over him.
If Klinsmann is still enamored with the 4-3-3, I can envision 2 good line-ups with Torres and Gomez being swapped for each other. The more attack minded lineup features Gomez with Torres appearing in a more possession minded lineup.
ATTACKING:
————-Altidore
Donovan—————Gomez
————Dempsey
—–Bradley——–Jones
Fabian—Boca—Gooch—Dolo
————Howard
|
POSSESSION:
————–Altidore
Dempsey————–Donovan
————–Torres
—–Bradley——–Jones
Fabian—Boca—Gooch—Dolo
————Howard
Torres and Bradley could potentially switch places but I don’t recommend it. While Torres plays further back for Pachuca, he is a little slow on the ball due to the slower pace of the Mexican game. That could be very dangerous, so pushing him further up the field could make it less costly if he is stripped of the ball.
Subs:
I think Chandler is better on the right but is a great sub for either Johnson or Cherundolo. I don’t see Edu as a starter but he can fill in reliably in central mid. I sincerely hope the love affair with Beckerman is over. Shea will add a spark coming off the bench but is not starting quality just yet. I’d like to see Whitbread get a chance at center back until Gooch is healthy. Boyd should get a chance coming off the bench for Altidore. Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Bocanegra, and Howard need to stay on the pitch for 90 minutes.
Call-ups:
Gomez has to be in the squad. We need a striker who is scoring goals! I’d like to see Corona get his first official cap against Antigua & Barbuda so he is permanently locked-in to the USA pool. We don’t want him playing for Mexico. Since the US is still short of decent options at striker, Robby Findley might deserve another look. Still waiting for Adu to take it to the next level but man does that kid have skills! I think he should at least make the squad. While Klejstan hasn’t really performed at his best for the Nats, his play for Anderlect shows he has the ability to play at the highest level and should be given more opportunities.
Donovan and Johnson/Chandler will start on the wings when the squad is at full strength. Shea will sub for one of them.
Ahh, like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6yVHNQQ2no . Not take this too seriously 😉
Truly, it doesn’t depend on the age but only on the working rate. Nowadays best example: Klose with German NT who is settled for EC 2012 and still aiming at WC 2014.
Boyd is regulary and very successful playing with Dortmund II and training also regularly with the 1st team. As I mentioned above, the only reason him currently not to start with 1st team Borussia Dortmund is that Barrios and Lewandowski are still in front of Boyd. Hopefully, Terrence will get his chance next season.
+1. – Boyd is doing very well at Dortmund Reserve Team not only scoring 1 but frequently 2 goals each game. The only reason currently not to start with 1st team – but regularly training with them – is that Barrios and Lewandowski are in front of Boyd. Barrios wanted to go to Fulham which didn’t happen this time but he is willing to leave. Borussia Dortmund’s coach Klopp has a high opinion of Boyd and it is said, Terrence will get his chance next season.
Correct. – He consequnently showed this e.g., with Herculez Gomez. But imho, Klinsmann repeatedly indicated that Gomez currently has a good chance to be called in.
This looks fine to me, and as subs for Altidore I’d go for Gomez (right footed)/Boyd (two footed).
@Jeremy & @MiamiAl: I absolutely agree.
As Johnson himself mentioned his preferred position is LB.
According to http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ LD is right footed, whereas Johnson and also Chandler are two footed.
“Why on earth would you take two players away from the starting positions on their club teams and displace them on the national team. Makes no sense.”
Because it often works and is a pretty common occurence on other national teams over the years.
You may be a star center forward for your club but if you play for the Ivory Coast, you are either going to play elsewhere on the field or you will sit behind Drogba.
You need to watch more intertnational soccer and be a little less rigid and narrow minded in your thinking. Soccer isn’t like the NFL. Good to great soccer players should be able to play several positions. Rooney would be great anywhere even keeper.
Besides it’s not about the individuals, its about the team. Chandler and Johnson are both versatile, both talented, both fundamentally sound soccer playrs. JK will play them where he thinks they will best benefit the team and they will be fine with it.
Gio Van Bronckhorst was the starting left back I believe for Holland in the 2010 World Cup. He played very well.He was Reyna’s teamate at Rangers in the late 90’s and was 35 years old in 2010
Being 35 in and of itself will not determine whether Boca starts. His play will.
Klinsmann scored three goals in the 1998 World Cup for Germany. He was 33-34 and he was a striker. So you know he isn’t going hold Boca or Dolo’s age against them.
If they are still playing well they will start. If Ream beats out Dolo good for him but saying he SHOULD and actually doing it are two very different things.
The Under 23’s should have qualified for the Olympics but they didn’t did they?.
I’m done with Cherundolo, if JK wants to call him up that’s fine but he should be backing up Chandler at RB as for Lichaj backing up Johnson at LB.
Starting XI
ST: Jozy Altidore
CAM: Clint Dempsey
LM: Fabian Johnson
LCM: Michael Bradley
RCM: Jermaine Jones
RM: Landon Donovan
LB: Eric Lichaj
LCB: Carlos Bocanegra
RCB: Oguchi Onyewu
RB: Timothy Chandler
GK: Tim Howard
Are going to judge Ream for what doing now at Bolton?
Or do you judge him based on what he did for NYRB and the USMNT.
Would judge Jermaine Jones by what he is doing now in the Champions league with Schalke. Or will you judge him based on his performances when he was still recovering from a shattered shin?
Will you judge Bradley by his performance at Villa or by his performance at Chievo?
Reality?
The reality is you can’t be the best defender for a team you have never practiced with or played for.
Once Whitbread stops competing with Stu Holden in the category of “Worst timing of injuries in terms of your national team career” then maybe he can prove you right.
Until then Whitbread is just a mirage.
As for Boca, JK is the guy who has made it crystal clear that he wants Boca on this team. Why don’t you explain your views on absurdity to him?
Williams was played at right midfield to add bite to the midfield defense, give the defense an outlet who can hang onto the ball for a bit, and to help close down the midfield.
I seriously doubt that JK saw him as a competitor to Landon, Shea or Gyau.
Williams represents JK’s “practical” side.
Had he been on defense for the Under 23’s Alas never would have gotten that shot off.
Wrong. But i don’t have the time to correct you.
What you are describing, Holden does not do that. He’s no Pirlo.
Probably, but you can’t trust Adu to be consistent. He only had one good half out of six in this latest tournament.
He has a total of fourteen appearances for the Union.
In the six seasons since he moved to Europe, he has 71 appearances in all competitions.
Dempsey and Donovan both can probably beat that in two seasons.
That works out to about 12 appearances (not full games)per season for Freddy.
Klinsmann’s latest announcment was that his MLS Under 23’s needed to play more. Tell me he wasn’t talking directly to Freddy and Juan. He believes you cannot stay sharp and fit playing so little and it is very obvious that that is true in Adu’s case.
Everyone keeps making excuses for Freddy but unless he starts dominating for Philly (actually showing up and getting on the field would be a good start) it is hard to see Adu being anything more than a bit player, a luxury player for this team.
Who cares what you think or I think its all about what JK thinks. Boyd will get called in just like how he got called in for the game against Italy.
I think this would be an interesting line (albeit highly unlikely):
Gomez-Dempsey
LDonovan-Benny-Bradley-Adu
Johnson-Jones-Goodison-Chandler
Howard
I loved watching Dolo, Gooch, and Boca, but I’m not sure they have another WC in them. I think Adu place well for the Nats. I haven’t been completely impressed when Jones plays for the Nats at midfield, but I like his physical toughness. Reminds me Boca. We’re pretty thin on our back line, and we need to find something back there that works. I thought I was really going to like Ream, but he hasn’t been as “calm on the ball” as advertised IMHO. I like Agudelo, Torres, and Shea in the mix.
Our best players for 2014 as of right now appear to be bradley, dempsey, altidore, johnson and donovan (everton form not LA form)
Unless he is hurt, no way Jermaine Jones is not starting. He is the nastiest player we have, and we need that nastiness! 😉
Yep! Bingo. They can come in here these next two years for qualifying but once 2014 gets here the future has to be chandler, lichaj, whitbred, ream and goodison.
I mean 35 yr olds rarely end up at the world cup in vast amounts.
by 2014 Ream, Lichaj and Whitbread will be in the squad so will Onyewu possibly too.
Boca will be 35, Dolo will be 34 or 35.
Writing is on the wall for those two. They will help qualify but they wont be there in 2014.
I mean in 2014 Bocanegra is going to be 35.
Tim Ream is going to be 26 and hopefully a starting CB in the PL with Bolton still.
So….who do you guys think is going to start in Brazil?
the guy who is 35 and old and slower or the guy who has 2 1/2 years experience ( hopefully ) in the PL?
Agreed that Boyd is tearing things apart for the Dortmund reserves (to the tune of 16 goals in 24 games). But the team plays in the Regionalliga, which is in Germany’s 4th division, not the 2nd.
A lineup that doesn’t include Michael Bradley is NOT the best possible USMNT lineup. Period.
And your point is what? You don’t think any of them will still be playing with the USMNT then? You might want to reassess that opinion.
Because Boca, Onyewu and Dolo are all better than Ream, Whitebread and Lichaj. That’s why.
Johnson is terrific but he isn’t a BEAST with either foot, let alone both.
Dolo is by FAR our best RB.
The level to which you undervalue Michael Bradley is astonishing. Edu and JJ may be competing – but it isn’t with MB. It is with each other Bradley is automatic. The best midfielder the USMNT has and he’s still only 24 years old.
The notion that Edu or Beckerman are better players in ANY way than MB is just silly.
MB is is automatic on this team. Count on THAT.
That’s downright laughable. Michael Bradley is an AUTOMATIC inclusion in the squad. Did you not watch the Italy game? He was the single best player for us.
JK said in his teleconference this week that he would likely only call in 23 players. It’s time to be serious about winning games, not having a camp with players who have no chance to play in the games.
Dude, why would you put Herc as a winger ? He is not a midfielder he is a forward. -______-
or ambidextrous…better?
Love it. That’s a great lineup.
Shea is a sub. Thats not writing him off. He just isn’t starting material just yet.
One game doesn’t outweigh the beginning of the season he had with Hoffenheim. He play left mid and ACM and led the team in assists. He is more productive up front. However right now he is the only option we have at LB.
Fabian Johnson is a LB now and Chandler plays RW. Chandlers best position has always been RW. Why on earth would you take two players away from the starting positions on their club teams and displace them on the national team. Makes no sense.
Starting 11 against Antigua.
Howard
Dolo, Gooch, Boca, F.Johnson
———–Jones———–
Chandler————-Donovan
———–Demspey———
Gomez—————-Altidore—-
I have Jones over Bradley because Jones is better at the moment.
Much rather see Donovan on the left where he will be an inverted winger. I think this gives him more freedom to attack. F.Johnson over lapping on the left putting in killer crosses. This would be the USMNT best line-up period right now.
Who says Adu is sitting out for Philly this season?
You guys heard about Seb Hines? A british boy 23 years old with a US Passport. big defender playing tin the EPL (middlesbroogh)wants to join the team if Klisman calls him.
Funny how everyone on here has Shea written off already. He starts unless you want to keep him on the bench to try him out at striker in the second half and let him run.
Hello Boyd is playing and scoring goals like crazy in the Bundesliga 2. He hasn’t made the team Yet due to all those superstars in the team Dortmund; but he is getting lots Play time and getting close.
Don’t want to be a Debbie Downer to the Adu crowd, but I believe Klinsmann made it crystal clear that if your sitting out in MLS, you’re not going to be considered. I don’t think he’ll take a Part Time Adu, unless Torres is injured.
klisman should call more than 30 players for the friendly and WCQ games.I know he is going try to win vs Brazil and Scotland. And I’m concerned the players will be exhausted.
I realize Klisman like big strong forwards who can hold the ball. I think you might see Boyd in the line up.