Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP
When the U.S. Men’s National Team takes the field at RFK Stadium on Sunday, you can expect several changes from the lineup that Belgium tore apart in a 4-2 loss.
Michael Bradley and Fabian Johnson have joined the U.S. team in the nation’s capital and both should feature in the starting lineup, while players like Matt Besler and Herculez Gomez could also be turned to for a different look.
Eddie Johnson is another player who Jurgen Klinsmann could turn to against Germany, with his second-half performance against Belgium serving as one of the few bright spots for the U.S. team.
There is also the question of players changing positions. Geoff Cameron started at right back vs. Belgium, but he could be an option at centerback on Sunday. Fabian Johnson is also someone who could be used at a variety of positions.
So who will get the nod to face Germany on Sunday? Here is a lineup we could see Klinsmann turning to:
PROJECTED USMNT LINEUP vs. GERMANY
———–Jozy Altidore———-Clint Dempsey———-
Herculez Gomez——————————Graham Zusi
————–Jermaine Jones—Michael Bradley———-
DaMarcus Beasley————————Fabian Johnson
————–Matt Besler———Geoff Cameron———-
————————–Tim Howard————————
Some thoughts:
Eddie Johnson certainly played well enough to merit a look as a starter, so don’t be surprised to see him get the net ahead of Altidore. We’ll go with Altidore because we still think he’s the first-choice striker and needs the minutes to regain his match fitness after a break following the Dutch League season.
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If Jurgen Klinsmann is serious about wanting to see Geoff Cameron at centerback, then he may have no choice but to try Fabian Johnson at right back. Johnson started at right back against Mexico last August so he isn’t completely unfamiliar with the position, and having a fullback pairing of Johnson and Beasley would give the U.S. some good speed on the flanks.
And if Johnson isn’t the answer at right back, Klinsmann could also look to Michael Parkhurst, but his lack of game action in recent months make him seem like a long shot option.
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No word on why Herculez Gomez didn’t play a minute against Belgium, but if he’s healthy it is tough to see him not start either of these two friendlies.
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There has been plenty of talk about the “Fabian Johnson on the left wing” experiment. If Klinsmann chooses the Germany friendly to give this a try, here is how that lineup would likely look like:
———–Jozy Altidore————Clint Dempsey———-
Fabian Johnson—————————Herculez Gomez
————–Jermaine Jones—Michael Bradley———-
DaMarcus Beasley————————-Geoff Cameron
————–Matt Besler———Omar Gonzalez———-
————————–Tim Howard————————
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What do you think of our projected lineup? Do you prefer the lineup that includes Fabian Johnson on the left wing? Would you start Eddie Johnson up to instead of Altidore?
Share your thoughts below.