Thirty Minus Seven: USMNT World Cup Roster Battles

Seven of these faces won’t be smiling on June 2.

by Roderick MacNeil

Jurgen Klinsmann’s much anticipated 30-man Preliminary Roster, unveiled earlier this week, has convened in Northern California for an extended pre-World Cup training camp. From that exclusive group, only 23 will emerge to make the Final Roster.

There were some surprises in the 30-man group: Defender Timothy Chandler, who hasn’t appeared in a USMNT match since February 2013, and midfielder Joe Corona, who hasn’t seen the field since an August 2013 substitute appearance vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, both add intrigue and deepen the competition in training camp.

The most notable omission by far was Eddie Johnson, who was the team’s second-leading goalscorer throughout World Cup Qualifying. His absence may provide clues about other players’ chances at the final roster. More on that later. Others that figured prominently in qualifying that missed the cut: midfielders Sacha Kljestan and Brek Shea, defender Michael Orozco, along with the recently surging forward Juan Agudelo.

The final selections also featured a nod towards youth, as 18-year-old Julian Green, 20-year-old DeAndre Yedlin, and 21-year-old John Brooks all made the first cut.

Another significant group in camp: a trio of players who returned to Major League Soccer with the explicit purpose of improving their chances at making the World Cup: Maurice Edu, Michael Parkhurst and Clarence Goodson. So far, so good, for all three.

With all this in mind, let’s break down the roster and locate key positional battles that will determine who goes home on June 2, and who finds a seat on the plane to Sao Paulo:

LOCKS

First let’s get the automatic rock-solid locks out of the way. These are players believed, barring injury, to be virtually assured (>90% likely) of a place on the final 23-man World Cup roster. Jurgen Klinsmann hasn’t given any assurances, but I’ll give them mine. Any of these players being left off the final roster would be an utterly shocking development. Fifteen (15) Players fall into this category. Goalkeepers are in ranked order; the rest in alphabetical order by primary USMNT roster position:

Goalkeepers:
1. Tim Howard (Everton) – The unquestioned starter in goal, Howard’s leadership & experience are invaluable.
2. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) – Ready to step in if called upon, Guzan’s time will come soon enough.
3. Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) – The best MLS has to offer, reaches his first World Cup at age 34.

Defenders:
4. DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla FC) – A fixture at left back throughout qualifying, a key veteran presence and likely starter.
5. Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) – After Howard & Bradley, perhaps the most secure member of the Starting XI. Besler’s been very impressive.
6. Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) – Starter or substitute, defense or midfield, Cameron will play a role.
7. Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy) – Apparent starter, needs to show more, but his place is not in doubt.
8. Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim 1899) – Potential starter in at least three different positions; will see plenty of minutes.

Midfielders:
9. Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes) – A Klinsmann favorite, will be among the first off the bench.
10. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) – The engine, the key to it all. USMNT success demands a strong Bradley World Cup.
11. Jermaine Jones (Besiktas) – Part of JK’s “spine,” a starting role in central midfield is his to lose.
12. Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) – Pencil him into the starting right midfield role. Nah, write it in ink.

Forwards:
13. Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) – Clean slate after a rough EPL campaign. He’s the man up top, and rightfully so.
14. Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC) – Remember when people were worried about Clint Dempsey?
15. Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) – Looking like less the guaranteed starter once thought, but he’s too valuable to leave home. Still a difference maker.

 

FAVORITES

The next group of players are those believed very likely (>75%) to make the final roster.  Some are nearer to the “Lock” category than others. The omission of any of these players would be unexpected, but perhaps not entirely shocking. Three (3) players fall into this category, again, listed alphabetically by position:

Defender:
16. Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes) – As near to the “Lock” category as could be. Center back depth is thin and he’s been a consistent part of the rotation. If John Brooks were ready, Goodson might be looking over his shoulder. Not yet.

Midfielder:
17. Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) – Impressed in extended starting minutes in both the Gold Cup and numerous friendlies; has earned JK’s confidence. Maurice Edu will push him, but not enough to threaten his place on the roster.

Forward:
18. Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar) – Conventional wisdom says he’s a lock. I’m not convinced the separation he’s created on the depth chart is as large as most observers believe. Still, he would be a surprising exclusion. The effort to get AJ to switch from Iceland to the U.S. had 2014 well in mind.

 

PROBABLES

These are the players who are in strong position (>60% likely) to make the final roster, but still face substantial competition in training camp. The exclusion of these players would be somewhat unexpected, but still entirely possible. Two (2) players fall into this category:

Defenders:

19. Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC) – Klinsmann’s first choice right back for nearly a full year now. He’s going to Brazil and probably starts. Increased competition in camp raises some eyebrows, but he’ll get the nod. The argument against Evans typically boils down to this: He plays in MLS (in contrast to competitors in the EPL & Bundesliga) and he plays midfield for his club. Yet those two facts are not a problem to Klinsmann. Then consider this fact: Ever since Evans’ first USMNT start (last June vs. Germany), Klinsmann has never selected another player ahead of a healthy Evans. That’s not a band-aid solution, it’s a clear preference.

20. Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew) – Versatile, experienced, and has featured regularly. He brings too much to the table to ignore. He can play anywhere across the back line. On a roster that values players who can play different positions, Parkhurst has a place.

 

BUBBLES

These are the last few players on the Final 23-man Roster. They are only slightly better than 50% likely to make the cut. The exclusion of any of these players would not be greatly surprising, as the competition is close with those on the wrong side of the bubble. Three (3) players fall into this category:

Midfielders:

21. Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg BK) – Makes the roster largely based upon the lack of depth at his position, despite concerns over reduced club minutes in Norway. However, there’s a glaring need for a player capable of backing up Michael Bradley. Mix isn’t truly the ideal answer, but he’s been serviceable and is the best suited of any player on the roster to step in and provide a creative presence. He’ll be pushed by Joe Corona in camp, but there’s a reason why Diskerud has been such a consistent call-up under Klinsmann. I’ve been down on Mix lately, but it’s become increasingly clear that he fills an important need.

22. Julian Green (Bayern Munich II) – The effort to land Green *now* wasn’t for naught. He’s going to the World Cup barring a disastrous camp. Perhaps he was unofficially promised a roster spot, perhaps not. What we do know is that Green possesses a skill set that no one else in the current player pool can replicate. He’s far from a finished product, but his talent is significant enough to be a difference maker in Brazil, even as a substitute. The team will benefit both now and in the future by having him around this summer.

Forward:

23. Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna) – Boyd’s World Cup chances were left for dead a couple of months ago, and I didn’t disagree at the time. Three significant developments have since changed the equation in Boyd’s favor: 1) First and foremost, he elevated his level of club play tremendously, scoring 6 times in his last 4 games, totaling 20 on the season; 2) The elimination of Eddie Johnson from the roster leaves Boyd as the most likely backup to Jozy Altidore: a target forward who utilizes his size and strength to maintain possession, and whose presence occupies defenders and opens up space for Clint Dempsey & Co.; 3) Landon Donovan, viewed as a forward, marginalizes the value of Chris Wondolowski. If Donovan isn’t a starter and your need off the bench is a poacher who can score goals with savviness and smart positioning, then Donovan is always your choice over Wondo. Therefore, Boyd’s skill set is a more valuable and distinct asset, and Wondolowski is unfortunately out.

 

CUTS

These players are less than 50% likely to make it to Brazil. Nearly all are in close battles to make the final roster. Seven (7) players fall in this category, and thusly, are the ones I expect to be sent home on June 2:

24. Chris Wondolowski, Forward (San Jose Earthquakes) – Wondo is probably the most difficult cut to make. You could easily argue that he’s earned a spot, and it seems he’s done everything asked of him. He’s scored goals consistently for both club and country, the latter of which isn’t something that fellow forwards Johannsson and Boyd can claim. Nonetheless, the roster calculus works against him, as pointed out above regarding Terrence Boyd.

25. Maurice Edu, Midfielder (Philadelphia Union) – His return to MLS has done wonders for his candidacy to even make it this far. He needs a strong camp and could certainly impress enough to edge somebody out. Unfortunately for Edu, it looks like that person would have to be Kyle Beckerman, who at this point is downright entrenched in the midfield rotation. Edu’s versatility is a plus; he can slide into central defense if called upon, but that’s not a large enough need to punch his ticket. He’s third on the depth chart at CDM, and there are already five others on the roster who can play center back. It’d be great to have Mo around, but there just isn’t room.

26. Timothy Chandler, Defender (FC Nurnberg) -This is also among the more difficult cuts. Chandler has a cult following among USMNT supporters, and with good reason. He’s a regular starter at a Bundesliga club, and as an attacking fullback with speed, is probably the ideal fit for Jurgen Klinsmann’s style of play. If only it were that simple. Chandler hasn’t made an appearance with the national team in over 15 months. Regardless of the reasons, it’s difficult to insert a player into your lineup into such an important position at this late a date who hasn’t been part of your team for so long. There are also injury concerns. Chandler just returned from a torn meniscus suffered in February. A year ago he tore a knee ligament. Is he reliably healthy enough to take up a valuable roster spot? I view Chandler’s 2014 candidacy as one of hope, but not one of reality.

27. Brad Davis, Midfielder (Houston Dynamo) – If the roster had room for a specialist, I’d take Brad Davis in a heartbeat. You can’t mention his name without including a reference to his left foot and quality set piece service. That’s not enough to get him to Brazil. Whether it’s Graham Zusi, Michael Bradley or Landon Donovan on the ball, I’m comfortable that set pieces are in good hands. The clincher in Davis’s exclusion is the arrival of Julian Green. If Green is going, Davis is not. There isn’t room for both.

28. Joe Corona, Midfielder (Club Tijuana) – Corona’s path to the final roster comes via beating out Mix Diskerud. If Mix comes in and has a poor camp, there’s an opportunity for Corona. If total appearances and minutes over the past year are an indication of Klinsmann’s preference, you would conclude Diskerud is higher on the depth chart, and there isn’t much recent evidence to suggest Corona’s been able to change that. I’m left with the impression that Corona is here to provide some level of competition, but that it’s Diskerud’s spot to lose.

29. DeAndre Yedlin, Defender (Seattle Sounders FC) – I don’t subscribe to the theory that Yedlin is just here for the experience with a look towards 2018. Certainly that’s a side benefit, but make no mistake, Yedlin is here because Klinsmann believes he can win a roster spot. That said, he seems a long shot this time around. There’s an argument to be made that Yedlin’s speed, youth and fitness could prove valuable off the bench, particularly in the high humidity expected in Manaus. The image of him chasing down Cristiano Ronaldo is an intriguing one, to be sure. Yedlin’s game is deeper than that and has evolved considerably since making his MLS debut, but the sense here is that 2014 isn’t his time yet. He’d likely have to beat out both Brad Evans and Timothy Chandler and he only plays one position (so far?), so that’s hard to foresee. His time is soon, but not now.

30. John Brooks, Defender (Hertha Berlin) – Brooks is another player I wrote off in March after a dismal performance against Ukraine. A return to regular starting club minutes, and more importantly, an impressive level of play, earned Brooks an invitation to camp. “Potential” is still the most apt word that comes to mind with Brooks, as he’s a player that projects to be a fixture of the USMNT central defense for many years to come. But it would still take an extraordinarily dominant camp performance to make the final roster. There’s a lot to like about Brooks’ game, but it’s still difficult to feel comfortable depending on him at the international level, much less against the likes of Portugal and Germany.

 

One thing is very clear looking at this 30-man roster, along with the players who didn’t make it to Stanford: Jurgen Klinsmann has succeeded in cultivating a deeper pool of players than the USMNT has ever seen before. The competition at each position is strong, and that can only be a good thing going forward. Whichever 23 men suit up this summer, each one will have earned his spot. There are many legitimate concerns to discuss ahead of this year’s World Cup, but complacency is not among them.

 

 

 

 

 

USA vs. Mexico: What to Watch for Tonight in Arizona

by Roderick MacNeil

Clint Dempsey and friends wouldn’t be opposed to another Dos A Cero. (Nate Smallwood Photo)

When the USMNT takes the field against Mexico, it’s clear that some players on the roster have much more at stake than others. Here’s my short list on the key players to watch for the Yanks in tonight’s clash in Glendale, Arizona:

Michael Parkhurst:

Whether he lines up at fullback on the left or on the right, this is a crucial game for Parkhurst. His ability to play multiple positions, including central defense where he currently plays for the Columbus Crew, could be his ticket onto the final roster. With Brad Evans and DaMarcus Beasley both absent tonight, Parkhurst will get the start. We already expect him to be solid defensively. If he’s also effective in linking up with the midfield while limiting turnovers, it’s a great sign for him. Jurgen Klinsmann prefers his fullbacks to get forward, overlap with the wingers and be involved in the attack. He needs to show a willingness to do this, and to do so effectively.

DeAndre Yedlin:

The right back of the future will have a chance to make his case to be the right back of the present. Just a year ago, Yedlin was little known outside of Seattle and Akron, but quickly made a name for himself in MLS while playing with composure that belies his youth. After earning his first cap in January, he likely gets another one tonight. Yedlin has already shown marked improvement early with the Sounders in MLS play. If he’s able to translate that progress to the national team, he might force Klinsmann’s hand. Yedlin begins the night on the bench, but look for him get at least 30 minutes in the second half.

Julian Green:

The myth of Julian Green becomes reality for USMNT supporters tonight. His Bayern Munich pedigree speaks for itself. We’ve seen the YouTube highlights and the training videos. But how will the 19-year-old respond under the prime time lights against the United States’ biggest rival? A player who has seen the field in UEFA Champions League shouldn’t be rattled, but this is a new environment with unfamiliar teammates. There are question to be answered. The vibe around the USMNT is that a trip to Brazil is Green’s to lose. He’ll get minutes tonight, and barring a disastrous debut, should continue on that path. A nation of soccer fans awaits its hero.

Maurice Edu:

Edu went all in on his commitment to get back in the national team with his return to Major League Soccer. Mo has impressed early with the Philadelphia Union, controlling the central midfield and looking every bit the dominant force that Philly had hoped. Now with his first USMNT opportunity in a year, Edu must make this one count. He may not start, but he’ll see the field. Edu’s experience and leadership would be a welcome addition, but can he show enough to leapfrog up the current depth chart in time? It won’t be enough for Edu just to be good; he must be excellent.

Eddie Johnson:

Conventional wisdom is that EJ”s place is safe. Given how many goals he provided in 2013, that’s a pretty reasonable assumption to make. A couple of concerns for EJ though: 1) The competition at his position(s) has deepened. The arrival of Julian Green and the surge of Chris Wondolowski put pressure on EJ to resume his strong USMNT form because 2) the goals with D.C. United might be rarer than they were in Seattle. It may not be his fault; but right now D.C. is a ragtag collection struggling to come together, and its midfield hasn’t found a way to get him involved. EJ could put a stamp on his World Cup ticket with strong outing tonight, even if its comes as a substitute.

Chris Wondolowski:

Is there still a chance for Wondo to get to Brazil? He keeps putting the ball in the net, which is generally a pretty good way to the get the coach’s attention. Wondo earns the start tonight against Mexico, and he needs to make the most of it. His limited skill set could be a hindrance, but being pigeon-holed as a guy who “just scores goals” isn’t too terrible a burden to bear.

Brad Davis:

Davis earns a somewhat surprising start in left midfield, with Landon Donovan left on the bench. Davis needs to have a big game. He needs to be reliable in possession and avoid dangerous giveaways that Mexico can exploit on counterattacks. He needs to combine well and communicate well with Michael Parkhurst on the left side. That side of the field figures be at a significant speed disadvantage and El Tri will seek to exploit it. He also needs to continue to be an offensive catalyst and find ways to keep Clint Dempsey involved in the offense. Davis is in fierce competition for a World Cup roster spot, and probably on the outside looking in at this point. A strong showing is critical.

Kickoff between the United States and Mexico is set for 11:15 PM ET (ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas).

Beltran Replaces Injured Evans on USMNT Roster

by Roderick MacNeil

Real Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran will get another opportunity with the USMNT

U.S. Soccer announced Sunday morning that Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran has been added to the roster for Wednesday’s friendly vs. Mexico. He replaces the injured Brad Evans, who has missed Seattle’s last two matches with a right calf contusion. Evans suffered the injury on March 15 against Toronto FC, when he was inadvertently kicked in an attempted slide tackle.

Evans has been slow to get back on the field after the recent injury, despite indications that he was likely to be available for each of the two missed games. Evans has a history of calf muscle strains. The cause of this injury would appear to be unrelated to previous strains, but one has to wonder if past calf issues are hampering his recovery time. Saturday night he told reporters that there was still some blood pooling around the injury area. Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid said after last night’s match vs. Columbus that he did not expect Evans to be ready to play on Wednesday vs. Mexico, but that he wouldn’t be surprised if Evans traveled anyway. Evans will now apparently remain with the Sounders in hopes of returning for next Saturday’s Cascadia Cup match at Portland.

It’s a disappointing setback for Evans, a Phoenix, Arizona area native, who had surely been looking forward to playing in front of friends and family in Glendale. Evans remains the leading candidate to start at right back in Brazil, but he’ll have to return to full health and play well leading up to the Send-off Series. While there has been much media and fan discussion suggesting that Geoff Cameron is now #1 on the right back depth chart, one indisputable fact trumps that contention: Since Evans has been inserted into the USMNT lineup, Jurgen Klinsmann has never chosen another player ahead of a healthy Brad Evans. It’s fair to assume Evans would have been the starter on Wednesday.

Tony Beltran has two previous caps with the USMNT and was part of the 2013 Gold Cup championship team. He joins fellow Real Salt Lake teammates Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman and Luis Gil on the current USMNT roster. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jurgen Klinsmann was in Sandy, Utah on Saturday to watch RSL play Toronto FC. Having just seen Beltran play well in a convincing 3:0 win over TFC, Klinsmann called upon him when the need arose.

So who replaces Evans in the starting XI? The candidates:

Michael Parkhurst:

Parkhurst seems the most likely candidate to start. He was the regular starter at right back during the 2013 Gold Cup run and would appear to be highest on the depth chart. While Parkhurst has been playing in central defense for the Columbus Crew, he’s been primarily used on the outside by Klinsmann. Parkhurst has been impressive early the in the 2014 MLS season, having captained his new club to a perfect 9 points in three matches. His ability to play anywhere across the back line is a major asset and a big reason why he may end up on the World Cup roster.

Tony Beltran:

Right back is his regular position with Real Salt Lake, but that seems to have little bearing on Klinsmann’s lineup choices. Beltran has two previous USMNT appearances. He made his debut in January 2013 in a 0:0 draw vs. Canada, but was subbed off at halftime. He also went 90 minutes in a Gold Cup group stage match vs. Cuba, but was an unused substitute throughout the rest of the tournament. It’s unlikely that a player overlooked during the initial call-ups would step in and start.

DeAndre Yedlin:

Yedlin is an increasingly intriguing figure in the mix. He just earned his first senior team call-up and first cap during the January camp. At the time, Yedlin’s inclusion was viewed mostly as an opportunity to gain experience and didn’t seem likely to figure prominently until the next cycle. His mere presence on the roster for the Mexico match puts his place in a different light. He’s already show great improvement during MLS play this season and brings an attacking dimension that Klinsmann so strongly prefers. Perhaps the coach will view this as an opportunity to thrust the 20-year-old into the lineup and see how he responds. Fascinating that this opportunity may come as a direct result of an injury to Seattle teammate Brad Evans. He’ll almost certainly get minutes against Mexico, and it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see him get the start.

The USMNT faces Mexico on Wednesday, April 2, at 11:00 ET (ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas).

U.S. Soccer Names Roster for Mexico Friendly

by Roderick MacNeil

Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley haven’t been on the field together as teammates since June 2013. (Getty Images)

U.S. Soccer released its full roster of players for next week’s pre-World Cup friendly vs. Mexico. The 22-man group, with a few notable exceptions, consists almost entirely of players from Major League Soccer. The match takes place outside of an official FIFA date, so European-based players were unavailable for selection. The match takes place Wednesday, April 2 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas).

Roster Highlights:

• The expected and much-anticipated inclusion of 18-year-old Bayern Munich II forward Julian Green. Green received official FIFA approval on Tuesday for his one-time association switch, and is immediately and (permanently) eligible to play for the United States. He received special permission from Bayern Munich to be released for this match. His inclusion on the final World Cup roster is appearing more likely.

• Only two Liga MX players were named to the roster, defenders DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco, both of Puebla F.C. Players from Liga MX clubs participating in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, which begins next week, did not make their players available for selection. This partially explains the absence of several Club Tijuana players, including Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona and Herculez Gomez. Perhaps it’s fair to look back on Castillo’s inclusion on the roster vs. Ukraine as Klinsmann anticipating his unavailability for this match. Corona and Gomez appear to have fallen too far down the depth chart to make it to Brazil.

• DeAndre Yedlin and Luis Gil both continue their rapid rise to the senior roster. Both players featured prominently in last summer’s U-20 World Cup. It’s believed that both are still longshots to make it to Brazil, with Yedlin possibly a slightly stronger candidate given a perceived lack of depth at right back.

• Maurice Edu makes his USMNT return. It marks his first national team call-up in just over a year. After starting in a WCQ vs. Mexico on March 26, 2013, Edu underwent hernia surgery that kept him out of the Gold Cup and remaining Qualifiers. When he returned to Stoke City, he was unable to find a place in the lineup before returning to MLS on loan for the 2014 season. He’s an intriguing candidate to make a late push for Brazil, and could challenge players like Kyle Beckerman and Mix Diskerud for roster spots.

• Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake lead the way with 3 players each on the roster. D.C. United, LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City, San Jose Earthquakes and Puebla F.C. each have two players selected.

• Notable Omissions: Benny Feilhaber (Sporting KC) and Mike Magee (Chicago Fire) are the most prominent players from the USMNT’s January camp not to return for this match. Others MLS non-returnees include Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls). Jose Torres (Tigres UANL) did not earn a call-up despite showing strong recent form in his club’s Copa MX run. All are reasonably assumed eliminated from World Cup consideration.

The full roster:

Goalkeepers (3)
Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders (8)
DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla F.C.)
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders)
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Michael Orozco (Puebla F.C.)
Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew)
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)

Midfielders (7)
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union)
Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake)
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards (4)
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
Julian Green (Bayern Munich II)
Eddie Johnson (D.C. United)
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Projected Starting XI:

GK: Rimando
D: Evans, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley
M: Zusi, Bradley, Beckerman, Donovan
F: Dempsey, Wondolowski

I expect this lineup to play like a 4-2-3-1. Bradley/Beckerman combining in a double-pivot type central role, Donovan/Zusi interchanging out wide, Dempsey in a withdrawn central position behind Wondolowski up top.

World Cup roster intrigue is building to a crescendo, and many questions may be answered next Wednesday night in Arizona.

Steve Cherundolo Announces Retirement

by Roderick MacNeil

Steve Cherundolo celebrates Landon Donovan’s dramatic game-winner at the 2010 World Cup. (AP Photo | Eugene Hoshiko)

The list of modern soccer players who spend their entire careers with one club is an increasingly short one. The lure of bigger money and greater glory creates a blur of activity between clubs, leagues and continents during each transfer window. Ryan Giggs (24 yrs at Manchester United), Francesco Totti (22 years at AS Roma), Steven Gerrard (16 years at Liverpool) and Xavi (16 years at Barcelona) are the rare exceptions. Alongside those greats you’ll find USMNT defender Steve Cherundolo, veteran of 15 years with Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.

On Wednesday Cherundolo announced his retirement from professional soccer. He’d served as Hannover’s captain during the past four seasons, representing the same club where he signed his first pro contract in 1998, and just last season became the team’s all-time leader in Bundesliga appearances. He’s regarded as a club legend in Hannover, and has long stood as a beacon of American soccer pride for his sustained success in a major European league.

USMNT fans will remember him fondly as a mainstay on the back line for over a decade. Cherundolo was named to the roster for the last three World Cups, participating in 2006 and 2010. He’s earned 87 career caps, which places him in the United States’ top 20 all-time.

“Dolo,” as he’s affectionately called by supporters, has had his share of injury troubles over the years. He missed the 2002 World Cup, most of the 2005 Gold Cup, the 2007 Gold Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup as a result of various ailments. His most recent health struggles ultimately led to his retirement decision. Cherundolo has been unable to recover adequately from his current knee injury. His last appearance with Hannover was in December 2013, and he hasn’t been called in to the USMNT in over a year.

Dolo’s absence has led to a period of instability at right back with the USMNT. Timothy Chandler was projected by many to step into his shoes, but a perceived lack of commitment to the program, followed by a severe recent injury, have kept Chandler well out of the picture. Brad Evans, who plays in midfield the Seattle Sounders, took over as starting right back during most of World Cup qualifying and appears the incumbent starter but lacks experience at the position. Geoff Cameron has emerged this season at Stoke City, but Jurgen Klinsmann seems to prefer him in central defense or central midfield. Michael Parkhurst was the regular starter during the 2013 Gold Cup, and Fabian Johnson has earned starts at right back as well, but neither appears a probable starting option. Many fans have long been looking toward the healthy return of Cherundolo as the preferred solution. We now know for certain that Dolo has played his last game for the U.S. national team.

Cherundolo’s next venture is to step right into the coaching world. He’s been named as a “co-trainer” for Hannover 96’s U-23 side. Now that his playing days are over, it’s clear that his legacy will prove to be a lasting one on both sides of the Atlantic.

Oh, By the Way, Aron Johannsson Scored Again (Yawn)

by Roderick MacNeil

Aron Johannsson slides home a penalty kick for AZ Alkmaar (PROSHOTS)

Perhaps it would be more informative to only post when Aron Johannsson fails to score. That might be more infrequent.

Nonetheless, there’s another goal and another video to share. The USMNT forward scored the lone goal for AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of its Quarterfinal Europa League match against Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. It was just a penalty kick, but a successful one, and good enough to take the lead in the series.

The goal marked Johannsson’s 25th of the season in all competitions. He draws even closer to Jozy Altidore’s record of 31 goals for the most scored by an American abroad in a season, achieved just a year ago when Altidore and Joannsson were teammates at AZ Alkmaar.

If there’s any interesting USMNT angle here, it’s good to know Johannsson might be an option for Jurgen Klinsmann should a PK opportunity arise at the World Cup. On the other hand, Johannsson’s attempt was nearly saved, so perhaps his technique needs polishing. Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey would seem the most likely incumbent choices. Brad Evans is the designated PK taker for the Seattle Sounders and has never missed. For Klinsmann, it’s important information to keep stored in the back of his mind.

Here’s Johannsson’s goal, with apologies for the poor video quality:

2014 MLS Trophy, Postseason & Major Award Predictions

by Roderick MacNeil

The Obaflip will become a much more common sight in 2014. (Lui Kit Wong/Bellingham Herald)

Now that we’ve previewed each team and predicted order of finish, here are The Near Post’s picks for where some the end-of-season individual hardware will end up:

Most Valuable Player:

Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers

He’s the engine of the most potent, fluid offense in the league. He’ll score goals, but it’s his distribution that makes everyone else around him better. With a full MLS season under his belt and greater comfort level with his teammates, he’s sure to build on the 10 goals and 13 assists of his Portland debut. If the Timbers meet expectations of trophies in 2014, it’ll be Valeri who leads them there.

Golden Boot:

Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders

Martins’ pedigree is without question: he’s excelled in every top European league and was a prolific goal scorer at both Inter Milan and Newcastle United. Yet he remains somewhat under the radar in Seattle. He gave MLS fans a taste of his capability last season, when he led the league in goals/90 for much of the first half. Injuries took a toll on Oba’s season eventually, having played without a break since the summer of 2012. Still just 29 years old, he starts 2014 fresh, happy and motivated, having been shut out of recent Nigerian national team call-ups. He’ll have much improved service behind him from the clever foot of Marco Pappa, not to mention finally getting acquainted with Clint Dempsey. His new strike partner, Kenny Cooper, should prove a more fitting complement than the departed Eddie Johnson, who often occupied the same space as Martins. If he can stay healthy, 20 goals might be a low bar to clear.

Defender of the Year:

Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City

Besler will be back to reclaim the award he won in 2012. The incumbent USMNT starter for the World Cup, Besler is simply the best MLS has to offer at center back. SKC signed the Kansas City area native to an extension just over a year ago, but the team will surely field more lucrative offers if he excels in Brazil. Besler is the ideal steady and poised counterpoint to the bruising and volatile Aurelien Collin on Sporting’s back line. If SKC adds another trophy in 2014, it’ll be in large part due to Besler’s contributions.

Goalkeeper of the Year:

Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

The best keeper in MLS, and there shouldn’t be much argument. He keeps proving it and reminding us each year. He’s a lock to be on the plane to Brazil with the USMNT as the team’s third goalkeeper. There’s no one in the league you’d rather have to stop a key penalty kick, and there’s never a shortage of highlight reel saves. If this award goes to anyone else, it’s a fluke.

Coach of the Year:

John Hackworth, Philadelphia Union

The Union midfield is completely new, but it’s massively upgraded. Collectively, they’ll be the driving force behind a transformed Philadelphia team. Maurice Edu, Cristian Maidana and Vincent Nogueira will do their parts to make Hackworth look good, but ultimately, it’s his responsibility to make sure his new talent jells together and clicks with the returning players around them. There’s a different vibe in Chester this year. If the Union return to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons and become a force in the East again, the accolades on Hackworth will follow.

Newcomer of the Year:

Gaston Fernandez, Portland Timbers

Fernandez brings over a decade of experience in top flight leagues in Argentina and Mexico, and is inserted into the center of a potent Portland attack. He’ll be on the receiving end of central midfield service from Diego Valeri and Will Johnson. Fernandez will find his way behind defenses and into dangerous positions and could easily reach double-digit goals.

Comeback Player of the Year:

Jay DeMerit, Vancouver Whitecaps

It’s hard not to root for Jay DeMerit. The onetime USMNT regular has been troubled by injuries throughout his tenure in Vancouver. Most recently, he missed nearly the entire 2013 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon just six minutes into the start of the season. It’s been a long road back for DeMerit, but he once again finds himself starting in central defense for the Whitecaps to start 2014. Making it through the entire season healthy could itself be enough to earn this award, but the thinking here is that he’ll also be very, very good.

Rookie of the Year:

Sean Okoli, Seattle Sounders

The 2014 MLS SuperDraft class is viewed as a rather thin one, so we look to new Home Grown Players for the cream of this year’s rookie crop. Seattle has been very selective with its HGP signings, not offering contracts until a player is ready to compete for first team minutes. Okoli begins the season as one Sigi Schmid’s first options off the bench, and could force his way into more significant minutes as the season progresses. He scored 24 goals with 9 assists in three seasons at Wake Forest and provides both pace and passing ability down the flanks with the composure of a seasoned veteran.

Postseason and Team Trophies:

First let’s review our projected regular standings as discussed here and here:

Western Conference
1. Portland Timbers
2. Seattle Sounders
3. Real Salt Lake
4. LA Galaxy
5. Vancouver Whitecaps
6. San Jose Earthquakes
7. Colorado Rapids
8. FC Dallas
9. Chivas USA

Eastern Conference
1. Sporting Kansas City
2. New York Red Bulls
3. Toronto FC
4. Philadelphia Union
5. D.C. United
6. Houston Dynamo
7. New England Revolution
8. Chicago Fire
9. Columbus Crew
10. Montreal Impact

Now, for the postseason predictions:

Eastern Conference Champion/MLS Cup Finalist:

Toronto FC

Call it believing the hype if you must, but Toronto FC went big this offseason. Scratch that, they went huge. It’s natural to expect this team to take time to come together. Jermain Defoe hasn’t been in camp long. Gilberto’s been fighting nagging injuries, and Michael Bradley needs time to get settled. If things start too slow, Ryan Nelsen may even have a short leash. That’s how big the expectations are at BMO Field. All that said, there’s too much talent here to fail, even if it takes a coaching change to make all the pieces fit. They’ll win enough games to make the playoffs, and they’ll be primed for a deep run once they get there.

MLS Cup & Western Conference Champion:

Seattle Sounders

The Sounders may start slowly; there are many new parts to integrate, including 5-6 new faces in the starting lineup. Kenny Cooper and Marco Pappa are key new components of the attack; Chad Marshall and Stefan Frei are major new cogs at the back. Keep in mind that despite being teammates since August 2013, Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have yet to appear in the starting lineup together. Seattle will also deal with national team absences of Dempsey and Brad Evans (perhaps even Martins and DeAndre Yedlin). This team may not pull it all together in time to stay in the Supporters Shield race, but it will be the best team by the time MLS playoffs roll around. (That’s not even accounting for persistent rumors of the mid-season signing of Didier Drogba.) In the end, Sigi Schmid will lead his third different club to an MLS Cup.

2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League Qualifiers:

Seattle Sounders (MLS Cup Champion)

Sporting Kansas City (Supporters Shield Winner)

Portland Timbers (Non-Supporters Shield Conference Champion)

New York Cosmos (U.S. Open Cup Champion)*

* A little fun with that last one. This tournament is hard to predict. Some MLS clubs (Seattle, RSL, Chicago, DC United) are known to place more emphasis on it than others (I see you, Bruce Arena.) Enter the revived New York Cosmos of the second-tier NASL, who staked a small foothold in Queens and Long Island last year by dominating the NASL in their inaugural campaign. Just a year away from the arrival of MLS expansion team New York City FC, the ownership group shunned by MLS would like nothing more than to show up Don Garber and steal a trophy away from his league. While the Cosmos’ overall talent level doesn’t compare favorably to MLS top end talent, it is probably stronger than most reserve lineups that MLS teams trot out in this tournament. U.S. Open Cup success is THE priority for the Cosmos this year. One particular match to anticipate: an almost certain head-to-head showdown with the New York Red Bulls. Bank on that one emerging from the draw.

Ukraine Tops USMNT 2:0 – What We Learned in Cyprus

by Roderick MacNeil

Edgar Castillo and the USMNT searched in vain for answers vs Ukraine. (Kyle Rivas photo)

Against one of the more surreal sporting backdrops in recent memory, the United States Men’s National Team was shredded by a dynamic Ukrainian side in Larnaca, Cyprus Wednesday by a 2:0 margin. The Americans looked truly fortunate not to lose by 4 or 5 goals. The sparse gathering of about 1,500 spectators that wandered into Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium saw an incohesive USMNT backline repeatedly ripped apart, and a punchless attack unable to sustain any sort of pressure. For head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who had the best view of all, the result was far less important than the individual performances. We won’t find out until June what he’s concluded, but we have our own eyes.

Who’s not going to Brazil?

Oguchi Onyewu – Gooch is just too far past it. His late push for the World Cup roster made him a sentimental favorite for longtime USMNT fans, but the reality is that he’s no longer the player he once was. A player of his experience needed to step forward and take a leadership role in organizing the back line. Instead, he looked as lost as anyone. We recognize that he hadn’t played together with his fellow defenders before, but as the senior figure in central defense, he needed to come up with some answers, and he couldn’t do that.

John Brooks – At 21 years old, there’s still a bright future ahead for Brooks. Yesterday he showed us that his talent is still too raw to rely upon in the World Cup. Brooks was out position far too often. On several occasions his great athletic ability was good enough to recover and break up a scoring chance; he’s learning. Right now Klinsmann needs center backs on the field who won’t need to recover so often. We’ll see a lot more of Brooks after the World Cup, but not during.

Sacha Kljestan – Kljestan is an enigma. He continues to perform well at the club level and deserve National Team call-ups. Yet he never seems to be able to translate his game to success with the USMNT. Kljestan did little with his 63 minutes, other than supply critical turnovers to the Ukrainians. When your “creative” central midfielder only completes 30 passes, he’s not being active enough nor especially creative. There are too many other players available who have been more effective in that role.

Terrence Boyd – This is a tough one, but when a player on the roster bubble doesn’t get off the bench in his final opportunity, it probably means something. Boyd’s having a standout season in Austria, yet Klinsmann was more interested in seeing Juan Agudelo on this occasion. It may not be Boyd’s fault. With Jozy Altidore, Aron Johannsson and Eddie Johnson all locks for Brazil ahead of him, Boyd’s skill set just might overlap too much with options Klinsmann already has in his arsenal. The door is wide open for someone else to step in.

Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood, Alfredo Morales – Well, yeah, duh. In Spector’s case, he was just invited to fill a positional need for this game in case of injury. The other two were just young tourists, taking in the experience and hoping to be invited back more during the next cycle.

Who stayed in the mix?

Danny Williams – Partly due to his own improved play, and partly due to Kljestan’s shortcomings, Williams remains firmly in the picture. He offers a different, more explosive look out of the middle and brought a more dynamic box-to-box presence. He still has to show more, but Williams may have done enough to at least earn an invite to camp in May.

Edgar Castillo – Hold on, hear me out on this one. Yes, Castillo was very poor vs. Ukraine. He looked completely overmatched defending Andriy Yarmolenko on the flank (then again, most defenders look that way against Yarmolenko). Yet there are two good reasons not to rule him out: 1) He’s exactly the type of player Klinsmann wants at fullback – one who can get up and down the flank and interchange comfortably in the midfield, and 2) he plays in Liga MX, so he’ll be available for a call-up on April 2 in Phoenix, and a shot at redemption. Very, very down, but not out.

Michael Parkhurst – He was already in the mix with his ability to play on either side, but his stock went up with Castillo’s poor performance. It’s important for Parkhurst to get off to a strong start with the Columbus Crew and give Klinsmann no reason to leave him out against Mexico, but he’s looking like a more probable selection for Brazil.

Mix Diskerud – Why yes, it so happens that Mix is indeed in the mix. He can breathe a little easier if he was worried about being leapfrogged in absentia. Diskerud isn’t a lock, but he’s looking firmer after Sacha Kljestan’s showing. He makes it to the pre-World Cup camp for sure, and likely gets on the plane.

Who is locked in for Brazil?

Alejandro Bedoya – He was one of the better players on the field for the United States. Granted, that’s not saying much, but it was good enough. Bedoya is a regular part of the rotation at this point, an occasional starter, and he didn’t do himself any disservice on Wednesday.

Fabian Johnson – His ticket to Brazil is surprisingly still questioned by some, but Johnson will be on the plane. He may be a man without a position in terms of the starting lineup, but he’s far too versatile to leave home. Klinsmann highly values players who can play multiple positions (see Brad Evans, DaMarcus Beasley, Geoff Cameron) and Fabian is a perfect example.

Geoff Cameron – Not a game he would highlight on his resume, but Cameron was at least adequate. He remains a player who could conceivably start or get minutes at either right back, center back or central midfield. Popular sentiment seems to be for him to supplant Brad Evans as the starting right back. Yet Cameron didn’t wrest that starting spot away. It’s also notable that his two recent USMNT starts at right back have both come when Evans was either absent or unavailable, so there’s still no evidence to suggest Klinsmann’s pecking order has changed. But make no mistake, Cameron’s on the World Cup roster and will prove useful.

Who has the door opened for?

Michael Orozco – There’s a big opportunity for a center back to step up a snatch a roster spot. Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler and Clarence Goodson are all locks. Could Orozco join them? He’ll likely get a call-up next month vs. Mexico. He’s been a steady presence in the middle for Puebla FC and he’s shown a knack for being effective on set pieces. The three USMNT goals to his name in the last 18 months can’t hurt either.

Joe Corona – Where Brek Shea has fallen short, Joe Corona will see an opportunity. Corona’s minutes at Tijuana have been reduced of late, but he’s shown well with the USMNT and should get one more chance to show himself.

Herculez Gomez – The forgotten man at forward, Gomez has struggled with nagging injuries and hasn’t scored in ages with Tijuana. But there’s a roster spot at forward there for the taking, and Gomez is the type of smart, seasoned player that Klinsmann would love to call upon in an important game. It’s up to Herc to show he can be that player this summer.

Carlos Bocanegra – I’m shocked that I just typed his name, yet there it is. The former “Captain America” has seemingly been put out to pasture at the international level, and hasn’t been heard from much at the club level in quite a while. He’ll need to shine brightly with Chivas USA over the next month to even get a sniff of a call-up vs. Mexico. It’s the longest of long shots, but if Bocanegra shows he can be even 80% of the player he used to be, his leadership and mere presence could be a welcome sight in Klinsmann’s locker room. Do I expect this to happen? Not at all. But after Onyewu and Brooks showed themselves the door, there’s still a job opening to interview for.

Juan Agudelo – He’s been impressive in his short stint at Utrecht thus far. Getting on the field against Ukraine was a statement itself. Agudelo brings a spark that his competitors at forward don’t seem to offer. He’s looking like a much stronger World Cup contender than he did just a few weeks ago.

Chris Wondolowski – He keeps scoring goals whenever given the chance, and that’s an extremely convincing asset to bring to the table. Wondo has made a career out of sneaking up on defenders. Maybe he’ll sneak up and snag a ticket to Brazil from Terrence Boyd. It’s not just his nose for the goal, it’s that he offers a different dimension than the other forwards on the roster. He’s not a target forward, a slasher or speedster. Wondo loses defenders and finds the ball. He’s a pure poacher who makes a living off being in the right spot at the right time. If Klinsmann values that skill highly enough, Wondo could be his guy.

Julian Green – How can the door be open for a player who isn’t even eligible to play for the United States yet? Well, Green’s a very special case, that’s why. This much I believe to be true: If Green were offered a World Cup roster spot, he would accept it. The wisdom of offering him a spot remains a debatable point. But the upside is too great to say it’s out of the realm of possibility.

Many questions were answered on Wednesday, but many new ones arose. The next pop quiz is less than a month away in Arizona. Who’s raising their hands, ready to be called upon?

USA 2:0 KOR – Yanks top Reds in Carson

by Roderick MacNeil

(AFP/Victor Decolongon)

The United States Men’s National Team returned to action today in an International Friendly vs. the Republic of Korea, played at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA. The USMNT, featuring a roster consisting almost entirely of MLS-based players, earned a 2-0 victory against the World Cup-bound South Korean side.

Presenting the premiere of The Eleven, a collection of key news items, notes and analysis:

I – Today’s match marked the first USA-KOR meeting since the 2002 World Cup Group Stage. The previous meeting ended in a 1-1 draw. With the victory, the United States improves to 2-3-2 all-time against the Korea Republic.

II – The sold-out (though somewhat late arriving) StubHub Center crowd was overall unquestionably pro-American, in both numbers and voice. In years past, this wasn’t a given in southern California. Some pre-match speculation suggested this may not be the case today either, since Los Angeles contains the largest Korean community outside of Seoul. Clearly the strong home support the USMNT experienced throughout the Hex continued today in Carson.

III – ESPN2’s live broadcast was delayed due the late running NCAA basketball game between Clemson and Florida State. As is wont to happen, the hoops game featured a seemingly endless parade to the foul line, forcing ESPN2 to join soccer in progress. Unfortunately for both the network and the viewers, the resulted in the USMNT’s opening goal in the 4th minute not being shown on live TV.  Regular viewers of ESPN’s soccer coverage come to expect this treatment, as its MLS & USMNT broadcasts frequently lack a pregame show when scheduled after another live event. Some savvy viewers may have tuned to Spanish-language coverage on UniMAS.

IV – Mike Magee did not dress for today’s match after encountering a bout of food poisoning. Extremely unfortunate timing for Magee, who had recently earned his first National Team call-up and figured to get his first cap today. It may be a while before his next opportunity. The USA plays at Ukraine on March 5, an official FIFA date, so head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will have a full roster at his disposal and Magee won’t be in the picture. A rumored friendly in April vs. Mexico in Phoenix remains a possibility for Magee, but as the World Cup draws nearer, it becomes increasingly less likely that Klinsmann would be looking to incorporate any new faces into the lineup.

V – Michael Parkhurst earned the start at left back, only his third start on that side. Parkhurst featured heavily in the 2013 Gold Cup, but remains squarely on the bubble for the roster in Brazil. His recent return to MLS, having signed with the Columbus Crew, resulted in a late call-up to the USMNT camp. Parkhurst made a strong case for himself today, looking calm on the ball and getting forward frequently to combine in the attack. Parkhurst often stayed high in the South Korean end and showed the ability to recover on the defensive end. DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson still figure most prominently on LB depth chart, but Parkhurst certainly improved his case today.

VI – Brad Evans once again started at right back. And once again, looked solid on both ends. Not a perfect day for the Seattle Sounders midfielder (beaten around the corner for an attempt on goal in the 35th minute), but not a day to hurt his standing either. Evans had several quality attempts on goal and was actively involved in creating chances. It remains to be seen if Evans can hold off Geoff Cameron for the starting job, but all indications are still that it is his to lose.

VII – WONDO. Chris Wondolowski once again took fullest advantage of his opportunity. With Magee out, and Eddie Johnson slowed by a quad strain in training, Wondo found himself in the starting lineup. He also quickly found himself in the scoring column, heading in a rebound in the 4th minute. Both goals, including his second tally in the 60th minute, were typical Wondolowski goals. He’s made a name for himself in MLS by being a player who is always in the right place at the right time, and that was very much the case today. His path to Brazil remains an underdog run, but he’s staying on Klinsmann’s radar the best way he knows how – by scoring goals.

VIII – 20-year-old DeAndre Yedlin made his USMNT debut, subbing in for Sounders teammate Evans (symbolically for Seattle fans, in the 74th minute). Yedlin’s rapid rise continued, following a brilliant 2013 in which he was signed as Home-Grown Player from Seattle’s academy system, was selected as a rookie to the MLS All-Star team, and featured in the U-20 World Cup. Not much was asked of Yedlin today on the attacking end, but he responded well to the late run of pressure applied by the South Koreans, making at least two important clearances to help preserve the shutout for Nick Rimando. Yedlin remains a long shot for Brazil, but if there’s to be a player emerge late and make the roster, Yedlin might be that guy.

IX – Another 20-year-old, Real Salt Lake’s Luis Gil, also earned his first USMNT cap, entering the match just a minute after Yedlin. Gil, like Yedlin, featured prominently in last year’s U-20 World Cup, and is projected to have a bright future with the National Team. Gil doesn’t figure to be in the mix for 2014, but he’ll become a familiar face in red, white & blue during the next cycle.

X – Midfielder Stuart Holden is still keeping his own World Cup 2014 dream alive. Holden, who joined the USMNT as a guest in training this week, is ramping up his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last summer, the latest setback in a string of injuries. Holden’s goal is to return to first team action by early March. He’ll have a lot of work to do to show enough in time for the summer, but we know he has Klinsmann’s attention.

XI – The USMNT recorded another clean sheet, the fourth one in its last six matches. This one came against a quality opponent (admittedly, at reduced strength) and fellow World Cup qualifier. Also of importance looking ahead, the were no new injuries to report. Depth chart-wise, it’s hard to argue that any individual player hurt his chances of making the World Cup roster, but several, particularly Wondolowski and Parkhurst, certainly improved their cases.

Next USMNT match: March 5 vs Ukraine, at Stadium Metallist, Kharkiv, Ukraine (International Friendly – official FIFA date), Time TBA.