Though he stopped short of revealing the entire lineup, Jurgen Klinsmann answered several questions about who would start on Friday night, particularly in goal.
The U.S. Men’s National Team coach told reporters on Thursday that Brad Guzan would start between the posts for Friday night’s qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Klinsmann also stated that Tim Howard would start the second match against on Tuesday against Trinidad and Tobago.
It will be the USMNT’s first action since their loss in the third-place match of this summer’s Copa America Centenario, during which Brad Guzan heavily featured with Tim Howard only starting the final match of the tournament. Guzan will hope to put a mistake-ridden 4-0 loss to Argentina behind him and help his team put themselves in a strong position to advance.
Klinsmann also announced that Geoff Cameron, Kyle Beckerman, and Jozy Altidore would all be starting as well. Altidore returns to the team after missing the Copa America due to a hamstring injury. He’s been red-hot for Toronto FC since his return, helping to guide the team to first place in the Eastern Conference as they’ve won six of their last eight matches.
The USMNT could use a win on Friday as they battle for a place in the hexagonal round of 2018 World Cup qualifying. They currently sit second in their group, three points behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago, and just one point ahead of third place Guatemala. The top two teams in each group advance and a win, combined with a Guatemala loss, would see the USMNT guarantee their passage through.
The USMNT have not failed to qualify for a World Cup since 1990.
–
What do you think of the starters named so far? Who would you like to see in the rest of the XI?
Share your thoughts below.