Photo by Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
With just two friendlies between the U.S. Men’s National Team and an all-important clash with Mexico, Jurgen Klinsmann has some decisions to make when it comes to preparing his stable of forwards.
Heading into September’s clashes with Peru and Brazil, Klinsmann has a wealth of options at the forward position, with each presenting the head coach with a series of positives and negatives. Will Klinsmann opt to go with the experience of a Jozy Altidore ahead of a major moment in this World Cup cycle? Or will Klinsmann use September to blood new recruits, giving newer chances like Andrew Wooted a chance to sink their teeth into international competition?
Clint Dempsey appears unlikely to be an option for the friendlies, having missed recent matches with the Sounders due to a hamstring injury. Even if he recovers in time to face the Portland Timbers, you wonder whether Klinsmann would really risk his best attacking player on some friendlies.
Youngsters Jordan Morris and Rubio Rubin are intriguing options as well, but both are likely to be focusing on October’s Olympic qualifying.
Which forward or forwards do you believe should start for the U.S. in the pair of upcoming games? Here is a look at Klinsmann’s options ahead of the friendlies against Peru and Brazil:
JOZY ALTIDORE
Reports surfaced last week that Toronto FC has requested that Jozy Altidore be left off the roster for the first game of the upcoming set. They may get their wish, but it may be for entirely different reasons.
Since departing the Gold Cup early due to injury, Altidore’s struggles have continued into MLS play. Heading into this past weekend, Altidore had scored just one goal since his return from USMNT duty, a putrid return for a player of his caliber, although, bagging an 18-minute brace off the bench last week is a move in the right direction.
Since taking over as USMNT manager, Klinsmann has preached about Altidore’s need for confidence, and some time in the upcoming friendlies could be a chance for the German-born manager to help instill some belief in his struggling forward. That said, Klinsmann could choose to leave him in Toronto, and potentially light a fire under the struggling forward.
ARON JOHANNSSON
Having secured a move to a bigger club, Aron Johannsson appears to be destined for bigger and better things on both the club and international level.
Johannsson earned his first Bundesliga start for Werder Bremen last week, as the USMNT forward continues to adjust to the raise in play that comes with a move to a bigger and better league. In limited minutes at the Gold Cup, Johannsson was solid, but didn’t quite do enough to certifiably lock down a starting role going forward. Johannsson is sure to get a look in the upcoming friendlies and, with it, another chance to impress heading into October’s crucial matchup with Mexico.
CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
Despite all of his naysayers, Chris Wondolowski is one of the few players in the USMNT pool that can score goals, and do so consistently.
Wondolowski is a player that divides opinion. On one hand, the San Jose Earthquakes forward is one that consistently finds ways to score. On the other, he’s a 32-year-old forward that has little to no chance of finding himself on the 2018 World Cup roster. One thing is certain: Wondo can score, something he has proven 12 times on the club level this season. With three goals in his last three games, Wondo may have done enough to earn another call in from Klinsmann, a manager who has consistently spoken of the faith he has in the forward’s abilities.
BOBBY WOOD
Following the confidence boost of his goals against Germany and the Netherlands, Bobby Wood is in fine form to start the 2. Budesliga season.
Now with Union Berlin, Wood has scored a goal and provided a pair of assists in the first four games of his club campaign, an impressive haul. Klinsmann has long been a believer of Wood and his ability to get into dangerous places. For the 22-year-old, it has just been about finding the finishing tough, something he appears to have done in recent months. As things stand, Wood is unlikely to be considered one of the best options in the pool, but with his recent play on the club level, he appears to be developing in the way that could insert him into the conversation a bit more.
ANDREW WOOTEN
Klinsmann has long been an advocate of calling in players that are doing well on the club level, and Andrew Wooten looks to be just the latest example of the fact.
Wooten’s impending call-up comes as the forward continues to destroy the 2. Bundesliga to the tune of five goals in just 350 minutes. Klinsmann has had his eye on the dual national for awhile now, and September’s friendlies finally appear to be the chance to give Wooten an opportunity. A newcomer on the international scene, it’s hard to see Wooten earning a chance against Mexico, but the games against Peru and Brazil are the perfect chances to throw Wooten into the fire and see what he’s made of.
GYASI ZARDES
Used predominantly as a winger and wide forward with the USMNT, and this season with the Galaxy, Zardes could merit a look at forward after impressing there in spots at the Gold Cup. The lack of wing options has led to his shift wide, but with some promising wide options emerging like Ethan Finlay and Sebastian Lletget, Klinsmann could be tempted to give Zardes a run up top.
CHARLIE DAVIES
The New England Revolution forward has enjoyed a good season in MLS, but has never received a look from Klinsmann before. Has he done enough to merit a look? Does Klinsmann see him as a liability given his past injuries, or will Klinsmann consider giving him an opportunity?
Which of these forwards would you like to see start in the upcoming friendlies? Cast your vote here (you can choose two of the forwards listed):
[polldaddy poll=9042730]
Who did you select? Was there a forward who didn’t make the ballot that you think should be considered?
Share your thoughts below.
Who should start at forward for the USMNT’s upcoming friendlies?
Forget Jozy and Wondo once and for all. Wondo too old, and Jozy totally sucks!
Yep..forget the guy, who at 25, is the 5th leading scorer and 3rd or 4th in goals per game ever…even if he gets his confidence back.
It’s frustrating to realize that the U.S. doesn’t currently have any forwards other than Dempsey who instill any real confidence. Wooten and Wood are still unproven. Zardes has been very inconsistent. JA and AJ haven’t done much. The only player I’m excited about is Morris. The U.S. is not exactly in good shape up top.
oof,
If you want to be exact about it, the last true consistent goal scoring forward that the US had who actually impressed anyone over a reasonably long period of time was Brian McBride.
Landon and Clint have been hybrid atacking midfielders/ strikers for most of their USMNT careers.
Charlie Davies actually only lasted about 10 games.
Jozy, in spite of his productivity, has not been productive in the World Cup and has never been truly convincing. I’m certain there are many on SBI who agree with that assessment.
People have a tendency to over estimate how good McBride was as a USMNT player. He was serviceable. I know Davies got hurt, but until then he was unfilled potential was not tearing up France. I am agree with you that the most exciting forwards the US has had were Landon and Clint who were more wing forwards (not so much 9’s as much 9 1/2’s). I may include Wynalda who I thought was fun to watch. Clint Mathis was overrated and not nearly as good as Jozy (who was great in the Eredivisie but disappointed when he took a step up from the Netherlands).
I have said it before and I will say it again, I don’t want any USMNT players going to the EPL unless they are goalies or maybe defenders. Please go to France, Bundesliga or Spain — then again, I’m not a fan of the EPL.
If you don’t like McBride then you have to go back to Wynalda and if you don’t think much of Eric then you’re out of luck.
McBride was serviceable but that is better than anyone since Wynalda.
And Charlie broke out in the three games in the Confed Cup and then a few qualifiers and then he was gone. The impression he left was all out of proportion to what he actually contributed and tells you what a huge self promoter he was and just how poor the talent level has been for the US over the years and continues to be.
After all our three best true forwards ( excluding LD or Clint) remain Jozy, McBride and Eric, three players who would not come close to denting the all time lists of the top ten powers in the soccer world.
And our best prospect is a junior in college.
The future IS October 10th. Cleary Wondo will be too old for 2018, but It can be debated if Wondo should or should not be on the field October 10, which is what these friendlies are about.
“One thing is certain: Wondo can score, something he has proven 12 times on the club level this season.”
wondo has 12 league goals in 1878 minutes this season: 1 goal per 157 minutes
jozy has 9 league goals in 1240 minutes this season: 1 goal per 138 minutes
narrative is a funny thing. but anyway, i don’t think either of them should start in the friendlies.
Cap Giovinco.
I’d rather have a look at Christian Ramirez than mention Altidore at this point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pgeaQCu_Qc
I’m surprised expansion teams haven’t gone after him yet.
2014 NASL Golden Boot winner Christian Rameriz from Minnesota United FC who scored 20 goals last season and has scored 8 goals so far this season
We have a lot of horses who, in a couple of years, could pull away down the stretch. So it’s interesting. Of the topic..will Zelalem Zusi and Zardes ever be the starters?
The thing is, it really doesn’t matter who we start up top right now. The only thing I am concerned about with the roster selections for the next 2 games is whether there will be any sort of consistency among the starting back 4 and keeper.
Okay so it’s confirmed that Wondo has 15 parents.
Why is Alt-noscore even on the list? He shouldn’t even be on the bench
No Altidore, no Wondo
We have strikers like Johannsson, Wood, Wooten, Zardes, CD9, even Will Brun (yes he’s doing more than Alti-noscore in MLS) so those two names shouldn’t even be mentioned
Jozy is not my favorite player, but it is pretty funny seek to want to dump a 25 yr from all future plans. He is going through a confidence crisis that was caused by his disastrous 1 1/2 years at Sunderland. At his best, he was better than Johannsson and kept him out of the team. Keep in mind,Johannsson is only 1 year younger (24). Johannsson also did not impress me at all during his past year of international duty. I am more interested in seeing how Wood, Zardes, and Morris develop.
I would call in Wooten and Davis to see how the look and if they can add value in the short-term. Andrew Wooten is having a breakout year but he is 25 already and up until now, he had been a Bundesliga.2 reserve player…again a Bundesliga 2 RESERVE TEAM player. I put him behind everyone else in the pool unless he shows otherwise in camp.
Some people don’t want to rely on facts. Jozy did better at Alkmaar than did Johannsson. He made a bad move after that. I still think he should have gone to the Bundesliga, like AJ did. Jozy is like 4th in all time career goals for the USMNT and he likely has another 6 or 7 years of playing time with the team. Before the WC, he scored a brace against Nigeria in the final tuneup game and Nigeria made the knockout round. As I have pointed oujt before, Wayne Rooney once went 18 mnonths between goals for the English team and Messi took several years before he scored regularly for Argentina. In the 2010 WC I think that Rooney, Messi, and Ronaldo all failed to score during the tournament, or maybe they had 1 goal between them. Something like that.. Especially in international play, many strikers can really fluctuate .
“Some people don’t want to rely on facts. Jozy did better at Alkmaar than did Johannsson. He made a bad move after that. I still think he should have gone to the Bundesliga, like AJ did. Jozy is like 4th in all time career goals for the USMNT and he likely has another 6 or 7 years of playing time with the team.”
Thats like saying
“Some people don’t want to rely on facts. “Freddy Adu” did better at “the U-23” than did “Bradley”. He made a bad move after that. I still think he should have gone to the Bundesliga, like “Bradley” did. Adu lead all players in scoring in the U-23 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and was selected to the tournament Best XI
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…easy plug and play. Past glory doesn’t mean anything. As of right now he has been given too many chances and he is terrible….absolutely terrible
Ehhh…WRONG! Jozy put on a sustained performance over 2 years where he was the 3rd or 4th most dominant scorer over 2 seasons at a fairly high level, against season professionals even to the point that he kept another hyped player(AJ).
Freddy Adu did fine in a 2 week period at a gloried youth tourney, but never had the discipline or humility to perform in a professional environment for 1 season let alone 2. If you going to call people out, get the info right. It was the 2007 U20 World Cup. That is the same tournament the Jozy was tied for 3rd leading scorer with Maxi Moralez even though he was 2 years than anyone else, on average.
Ehhh…WRONG?? hahahahahahaha…..if they were going off his club performance like most players HE WOULD EVEN BE ON THE TEAM….PERIOD. 2 seasons with Sunderland and you only score one goal…..with 38 games a season, 42 appearances and we are still having this arguement if this striker can score? If Altidore scored with the USMNT that means Charlie Davis, Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo, Aron Johannsson, Bobbie Wood or Gyasi Zardes, given the same chances (the ones he missed), would have racked up more goals. Altidore can’t find space, like it was prime real estate and he had to pay for it!!!!
Play a striker continuously, against inferior competition and eventually he will score. The test is against world class players and defenders and we both know the answer to that
http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/13/sunderland-striker-jozy-altidore-pulls-of-hilariously-bad-miss-v-west-brom-4986033/
Listen, I have said Jozy is playing like crap due to a confidence crisis, and I have said he is not good enough to take us to the promise land, but he is better than some you mentioned or are in the pool: Will Bruin??? Wooten? Teal Bunbury? are you serious? Wooten wavers between Bundesliga 2 Reserve team (4th division) and Bundesliga 2 (where he has scored 1, 7, 4, 8 goals in a season).
Jozy has performed at a higher level than either – but yes, he has had a rough 2 years. Charlie Davis, Aron Johannsson, Bobbie Wood or Gyasi Zardes deserve looks and time. Juan Agudelo is good (and still very young – 22), but has had a rough 1 1/2 years. all these guys are in the pool.
…and Anthony before YOU want to call someone out get your facts straight. In regards to Adu I was talking about the U-23 so understand before you counter
“U-23 men’s national team in its campaign to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing….He scored four goals in total in the three games in which he played, leading all players in scoring, and was selected to the tournament Best XI”
….and you are right “Adu has never had the discipline or humility to perform in a professional environment for 1 season let alone 2”, hence he flopped……..what is Altidore’s excuse?
“…and Anthony before YOU want to call someone out get your facts straight. In regards to Adu I was talking about the U-23 so understand before you counter
“U-23 men’s national team in its campaign to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing….He scored four goals in total in the three games in which he played, leading all players in scoring, and was selected to the tournament Best XI” ”
– Clearly, I was wrong here. I assumed you were talking about the 2007 U20 World Cup. I completely slipped my mind both Jozy and Freddy were members of the Olympic team at 18 and 19 yrs old.
“….and you are right “Adu has never had the discipline or humility to perform in a professional environment for 1 season let alone 2″, hence he flopped……..what is Altidore’s excuse?”
Ehh…he has. He performed at MLS at 17/18, he performed in Netherlands for 2 full seasons, and he has performed for the USMNT (not just in total goals, but in terms of having one of the highest goals/game rate in USMNT history).
Bizzy is dizzy in the head- over medicated
bizzy,
If your insist on comparing Adu and Jozy as professional soccer players then note that Jozy performed brilliantly for 2 seasons at AZ.
Adu has done nothing anywhere near that.
If money talks then add up the amount of transfer money spent on Jozy and compare it to the amount of transfer money that was spent on Adu.
Jozy has been a disappointment so far but, even so he has accomplished far more than Freddy and he still has a reasonable chance to come good.
Freddy may yet come good as well, but it is reasonable to think that his chances for redemption are a quantum leap lower than Jozy’s.
By the way, when you start bringing in a player’s Under-whatever stats that is a sign that your are really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Lots of guys who tore it up at that level disappeared at the senior level. It’s like bringing up a baseball players AAA stats. Big deal. Unfufilled potential.
Freddy is soccer’s version of the AAAA player. Better than most minor leaguers but not really a major league player.
Wooten had 31 appearances for Sandhausen last season
I stand a little corrected. He was primarily a FC Kaiserslautern reserve team player until he got loaned out to other Bundesliga 2 teams (Sandhausen , FSV Frankfurt).. He isn’t a prolific scorer at the Bundesliga 2 level. He has never scored more than 8 goals at that level. Give him a look, but something tells me that he is not international caliber.
I think ther are better players than him in the pool. Give him a look. but I would have the intention of playing Zardes at forward and having Lletget take that wing position.
http://us.soccerway.com/players/andrew-wooten/55113/
He has scored 5 goals in 3 games already this season. That’s pretty prolific current form. He will very likely score more than 8 goals this season.
I think I read somewhere that the roster is supposed to be released on Sunday.
Seems like it’s been coming out during half time of the Sunday night match. Not sure its an official deal, but I feel like the last few have been done that way.
It’s a total crap shoot with JK and why isn’t JK releasing the roster yet? This is not a top secret here. Im wondering if he’s having trouble getting the players he wants?
There is no reason Jozy should be called. He has had more chances than anybody and its time to move on. Other players are lucky if they get two shots…not Jozy
If Jozy and Wondo make this roster.. I’ll be disappointed. Beyond that, I hope to see either new players or fringe players and yes, Charlie Davies should get a shot. He is a very good player
Dukes,
JK has always waited until the last minute so nothing unusual there.
That said, what’s your rush?
If it s not a “top secret” then you should already have a really good idea of who is on it right?
Getting players for the USMNT is arguably more difficult than for a lot of other national teams with the players being spread out over so may different leagues with different schedules and with a thin talent pool as it is.
Is Jordan Morris playing now, or is he still injured?
Would love to see him get some minutes before the Mexico game.
Good call! Yes, he’s played in both of Stanford’s preseason games. Stats don’t show how many minutes though.
I would call Bjorn Maars-Johnsen. We don’t have anyone like him
this
Geez I thought I was the only one in on this kid. He’s beast! Not sure how he’s not gotten any attention.
I had to google him after the last mention. He’s never covered in Americans abroad and he plays in a pretty obscure league. Considering where he plays, there’s no telling how good he actually is. Those are prtobably the reasons he gets no attention.
“Considering where he plays, there’s no telling how good he actually is.”
The Bulgarian league is ranked about 27 in the UEFA coefficient which means it is about level with Norway’s.
However this is also the country that produced guys like Hristo Stoichkov, Dimitar Berbatov, Stiliyan Petrov,Martin Petrov, etc. so I wouldn’t write Bulgaria off completely as some sort of soccer backwater.
Since JK seldom does what is expected, I guess that is bad news for AJ and Zardes (well Zardes, JK mostly has used out wide so my be bad news for AJ and Wood).
id start Zardes and Johannsson up top in both games and bring in Wood and Wooten off the bench.
also Tim Ream kicking it in London today!
Goal count 2015
9- Dempsey
3- Bradley
2- Shea, Zardes, Wood, Altidore, Johannson
Curious, what’s ur takeaway from these stats?
That no one is really stepping up and taking the goal scoring load off Dempsey yet. Maybe it’ll be more of a collective effort in the future but still no one’s even close.
12 – Wondo
ohhhhhhhhh
Please list all 12 of Wondo’s international goals in 2015.
I’ll wait……..
He has 1 this year, 10 all time
oh i know… lol…. just sarcastically asking Dennis to make him aware that he is horridly wrong.
(I’m also aware the Wondo has 12 goals in the MLS, yet that wasn’t the context of the original stat list, thus pointing out his 12 goals is moot.)
Jozy and AJ together, Jozy as the target and AJ as the second striker.
Bobby Wood off the bench. Zardes on the wing, Davies deserves at least a glimpse in camp. Wondo, he’s just done. No more.
Alan Gordon>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Wondo.
Alex Morgan>>>>>>>Wondo
I’d like to see Wood, Wooten get some minutes
Aron pretty much had the entire Gold Cup to show something up top. He’s been alright but it might be nice to see other options.
I would like to know who voted for Wondo (2 votes)?
WHYYYYYYY? 🙂
Kev,
It’s up to 7. Better stop them before they kill again.
any number of reasons 7 voted for Wondo.
1. Landon’s voting.
2. His family follows SBI.
3. those voting are not looking long term at all. They only see that he scores goals…now. Not considering future.
I don’t think Jozy is ready. Plenty of time before Mexico tilt to let him get fit mentally & physically. I would blood Wooten. Why not see what he can do? Beyond that let’s see if GZ is ready to put the game on his shoulders. Keep it simple 4.4.2 with GZ and AJ up top…bring on Wooten at 60 min. Bradly/Jones behind them centrally and Bedoya (fit again?), Yedlin outside. Garza, Brooks, Alverado and Chandler (time for showdown with club coach) across the back…have at it.
These friendlies are for test-out new players, not continuing older players failed at the World Cup.
Will Bruin and Chris Rolfe should be given a shot.
I personally would not mind if Jozy is not included in the USMNT. Jozy doesn’t seem to want to play with heart or conviction at the moment. He looks almost afraid to fight for 50/50 balls or to go up hard to challenge for headers that are crossed into the box. He seldom pressure the opponent’s defense and his energy just seems so low lately.