Avoiding the Drop

The newest of the new guys.

The USSF released Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster for the USMNT’s upcoming matches against Honduras and Ecuador on Thursday and while there are no “surprises” as such, it is clear that while Klinsmann is still bringing in new players for evaluation, he has begun to focus in on a core group of players. Click through and we’ll take a look- position by position- at the players that have caught the new manager’s eye.

GOALKEEPERS

• Tim Howard (Everton)
• Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
• Bill Hamid (D.C. United)

This is perhaps the most straightforward of the positions to evaluate. Howard is the number one choice, of that there is no doubt. After that, some guesswork is required, but nothing too challenging. It is this writer’s opinion that Bill Hamid is fourth on the depth chart and that at age 20 Klinsmann is grooming him for the long-term future by bringing him into camps, having him on the bench during friendly matches, and occasionally getting him into those matches. Next is Nick Rimando, who is competing for the back-up spot. The question is, against whom is he competing? There seem to be two logical answers to this question: 1) Against a small group of goalkeepers- Cervi, Johnson, Pickens, etc.- or, 2) against Brad Guzan. While Guzan has not appeared for the USMNT since the World Cup and is stuck behind Shay Given at Aston Villa, I still think he’s number two. If there was any doubt about that I think Klinsmann would have had him in a camp by now- he’s not busy with doing anything at Villa Park!

DEFENDERS

• Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers)
• Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg)
• Steve Cherundolo (Hanover 96)
• Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon)
• Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis)
• Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
• Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

There’s a little more going on here in the back line. First, with his play at Rangers, Bocanegra seems to have resurrected his international career and made himself a “no-brainer.” Cherundolo is a veteran professional who rarely puts a foot wrong, so he’s an obvious choice. Chandler has earned his spot and with rumors swirling that Germany has been nosing around about his availability (he’s yet to play a “competitive” match for the USMNT), Klinsmann may be making sure that Chandler knows that he is “wanted.” Orozco Fiscal’s inclusion also makes sense as Klinsmann continues to evaluate Americans playing in Mexico’s Primera Division. Ream is a “comer” and chances are that we’ll see a lot of him in coming matches. Spector appears to be getting one more shot before Klinsmann moves on from him. He’s given a good account of himself in the past, but he’s never been an impact player at the international level and that would seem to be something Klinsmann wants at the back of the squad. Finally, Klinsmann has to bring Onyewu in a few times to “keep up appearances” before he puts an end to Gooch’s international career. Unless, of course, Klinsmann has seen something in the three matches Onyewu has played thus far for Sporting that has changed his mind.

MIDFIELDERS

• Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
• Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona)
• Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
• Maurice Edu (Rangers)
• Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids)
• Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
• Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

Bradley, Dempsey, and Edu are obvious inclusions due to their current league form and international experience. I’m not big on Beckerman, but he seems to be a useful player in the right role and maybe Klinsmann thinks he can get more out of him. Larentowicz and Shea’s recent call-ups were long-overdue and both have shown well since being given additional opportunities with the USMNT, so no shock at their selections. Which leaves the wildcard, Danny Williams. Williams is the most recent in a long line of German-Americans/American-Germans to have to make the choice between the two countries, and while Williams played for Germany through the U-15 level, he has actively sought, and just recently received, his U.S. passport. He has also said publicly that he wants to play for the U.S., so that’s a good sign.  The 23 year old has been with two Bundesliga clubs (Freiburg and Hoffenheim), so he’s worth at least a look.

FORWARDS

• Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls)
• Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar)
• DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla)
• Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City)
• Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy)

Beasley is an interesting inclusion here as a forward given that since his years at Rangers he has played primarily as a midfielder. His being listed as a forward becomes even more interesting when one notes that Landon Donovan has also been listed as a forward. Could it be that Klinsmann is looking to attack with speed through these two players plus Juan Agudelo and to have a physical presence in the box as well with Altidore and Bunbury? Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch during these matches is whether or not Jozy Altidore can transfer his blistering league form- he scored again for AZ in their midweek Europa match- to the international stage.  If he can it will solve a lot of problems for the USMNT.

What then, does this roster tell us? First, and not surprisingly there is a lot of speed in this side especially in the midfield and forward line, which suggests… Second, that this is going to be an attacking side. Not only is this probably the strongest group of forwards the USMNT has at its disposal, but, on average, the midfielders are of the attacking variety as well. Beckerman is really the only one that I wouldn’t consider a “threat to score” at all, and while Edu’s generally thought to be a “defensive midfielder,” he’s been chipping in with regular goals at during his time at Rangers. One other thing to note about the midfielders is that Edu, Bradley, and Lawrentowicz all have a penchant for bombing away from distance and that’s sure to leave lots of scraps for the forwards to clean up. There are also several players in the back line- Ream and Cherundolo come to mind- who like to get down the wings and get involved in the offense. Third, and finally, while there are a few exceptions, Klinsmann seems to be leaning toward more technically gifted players. With the exception of Onyewu, and to a lesser extent, Spector, Klinsmann has selected players who are positionally and technically sound rather than big bruisers that hope to play defense through intimidation. If that is the case, where is Michael Parkhurst?

Overall, I like his selections. Where it in my power I’d go with the following line-up:

• Howard
• Cherundolo
• Bocanegra
• Ream
• Chandler
• Bradley
• Dempsey
• Edu
• Donovan
• Agudelo
• Altidore

Of course, if it were in my power I wouldn’t play a 4-4-2. I prefer the 4-3-3 with a stopper and sweeper in a diamond configuration at the back. But that’s just me…

Now, fill up that comment section!!