USA vs Ecuador: Preview, Primer, Projections, Predictions

A young USMNT back line will seek to keep Enner Valencia off the scoreboard. (ESPNFC Photo)

by Roderick MacNeil

As has been pointed out elsewhere  (h/t @olaugh), there are 29 international matches on today’s schedule. The only one that features two teams that qualified for the 2014 World Cup will take place tonight in East Hartford, Connecticut: United States vs. Ecuador.

Ecuador, affectionately known as “La Tri” by its supporters, presents an interesting and challenging opponent for the U.S. Playing at home will make the USMNT a slight favorite in the matchup, but the two sides figure to be fairly well-matched.

The U.S. and Ecuador are ranked 17th and 21st, respectively in the October 2014 FIFA rankings. The accuracy of these rankings are always subject to high skepticism, but they can at least serve as a rough barometer of relative team strength.

Quick Fan Primer on Ecuador:

• FIFA Ranking: 21
• Qualified for 3 of the last 4 World Cups (missing South Africa 2010)
• Advanced past World Cup Group Stage once (Germany 2006)
• Have never failed to win at least 1 game in World Cup Group Stage
• Player to Watch: Enner Valencia (West Ham United), 8 International goals in 15 caps
• Familiar Face: Joao Plata (Real Salt Lake), 13 goals, 5 assists in 24 MLS games this season

USA vs. Ecuador Head-to-Head History:

• Ecuador leads all-time series 5-2-4
• USA has been shut out 8 times in 11 matches
• USA 2-1-1 in last 4 meetings
• Last meeting: 10/11/2011, Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ; Ecuador won 1:0
• 4 U.S. players on current roster part of last match: Altidore/Chandler started, Ream/Rimando on bench
• Only meeting outside of U.S. – 1993 Copa America in Quito, Ecuador; Ecuador won 2:0

Projected USMNT Starting Lineup:

What we know already via Jurgen Klinsmann’s public statements:

• Landon Donovan will serve as captain, start and play about 30 minutes
• Brad Guzan will play 90 minutes vs. Ecuador, Nick Rimando will play 90 vs. Honduras
• Julian Green was sent back to Hamburger SV to fully recover from a nagging rib injury

The rest of the lineup is based on a combination of what we saw last month vs. Czech Republic, and my own observations from USMNT training at Harvard University this week. I think Klinsmann sticks with the same midfield that won in Prague, with several changes to the back line. A similar look up top, with Donovan slotting in Green’s place:

Substitutions: Aside from Guzan, I think we’ll see Altidore, Gyau, Bedoya and Yedlin play 90 minutes. Miguel Ibarra and Bobby Wood are likely to be the only two unused field substitutes. We know that Nick Rimando and Bill Hamid will not take part in this match.

Prediction:

United States 2, Ecuador 1

USA: Donovan 10′ (Diskerud)

ECU: Caicedo 57′ (pen.)

USA: Altidore 86′ (Yedlin, Gyau)

USA 1:0 CZE – Five Thoughts on What We Learned

Joe Gyau Excelled in his USMNT Debut (Getty Images)

by Roderick MacNeil

Five thoughts on from the USMNT’s last friendly vs. the Czech Republic:

1. Rimando Rises

With Tim Howard taking a one-year sabbatical from the USMNT, popular opinion assumes that 29-year-old Brad Guzan will take over the starting GK job. Nick Rimando has served notice that he’s not interested in popular opinion. Rimando was flawless in the second half against the Czechs, making four critical saves (nearly all of the highlight reel variety) to preserve both the win and shutout. Granted, Guzan had much less to do in the first half, thanks in part to playing behind a more experienced lineup. But Rimando was far beyond adequate in his 45 minutes; he shined and showcased a knack for the spectacular that MLS fans have come to expect. Guzan’s Premier League resume won’t place him at the top of the depth chart by default, nor will Rimando’s age (35) or height (5’10”) disqualify him. Make no mistake, this is an open competition in Klinsmann’s eyes. Real Salt Lake’s standout keeper may yet land the starting job at next summer’s Gold Cup.

2. Meet Joe Gyau

Among the three players who made their USMNT debuts against the Czechs, the most noteworthy performance undoubtedly came from 21-year-old Joe Gyau. Gyau started at forward and went a full 90 minutes. So much for easing new guys into the lineup. Gyau looked composed on the ball and displayed a maturity beyond his years. He showed confidence running at defenders and didn’t hesitate to take shots at goal. His speed on the flanks proved problematic for the Czech defense all day long. Sure, he’s far from a finished product, and his inexperience showed itself at times with decision-making errors on the defensive end. But Gyau impressed overall, and we can expect to see a lot more of him in USA uniform. Gyau’s next challenge: Performing well enough with Borussia Dortmund’s reserves to earn a call from Jurgen Klopp to BVB’s first team. It may happen sooner than we think.

3. MLS Absences Loom Large

This starting XI that took the field vs. the Czech Republic bore little resemblance to those we saw this summer in Brazil, and that wasn’t necessarily all by design. With just a single friendly in Europe during this particular international break, Jurgen Klinsmann elected not to call in players from Major League Soccer (Rimando being the lone exception.) With Jermaine Jones and DaMarcus Beasley’s recent transfers, a full majority (12 of 23 players) from the World Cup roster now play professionally in MLS. In fact, the only clear first-choice players that started in Prague were Jozy Altidore and Fabian Johnson. That’s a dramatic shift from four years ago when only 4 MLS players made the WC roster, three of which (Bornstein, Buddle, Findley) transferred out of the league shortly thereafter.

4. USA Feeling More at Home in Europe

Have away victories in Europe become routine for the USMNT? Perhaps not, but since the 2010 World Cup, the United States has collected wins in Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina and now, the Czech Republic. Toss in a draw in Russia and you’ve got an impressive collection of results in difficult, hostile environments across the pond during the Klinsmann era. With those results come increased expectations. In the new reality of 2014, the United States is simply a better team than the Czechs. Home or away, the USMNT is now expected to get a result against an opponent of this level. Not that CZE is a weak side – they aren’t. But consider that the Czechs have only qualified for one World Cup (2006) in five attempts since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, and you see a national program that has fallen far from its historic glory. That said, this isn’t a win to be minimized: Without most of its first-choice starters, the U.S. defeated the Czechs’ first-choice team. This was also a Czech squad that was motivated for a strong result heading into its first Euro 2016 qualifier vs. the Netherlands.

5. Defensive Midfield Questions for 2018

While defensive midfield is far from a current problem for the USMNT, future depth (as it relates to age) is a concern going forward. Kyle Beckerman and Jermaine Jones (not to mention Michael Bradley) were missing from this roster, leaving Klinsmann’s roster thin on obvious Euro-based replacements.  This resulted in a 4-3-3 lineup with Joe Corona in the middle, and Mix Diskerud playing more centrally than the lineup card would suggest. Neither player provides the type of reliable defensive cover that Klinsmann’s preferred style demands. In 2014, defensive midfield is a strong position for the U.S. depth-wise. But in 2018, both Beckerman and Jones will be 36 years old. Identifying and developing the next “generation” in that position will be a challenge during the next cycle.

Six Uncapped Players Highlight Youthful USMNT Roster in Prague

Stanford’s Jordan Morris will decline payment and retain NCAA eligibility. (Stanford Daily Photo)

by Roderick MacNeil

It’s been just over nine short weeks since the USMNT stepped exhaustedly off the Arena Fonte Nova pitch in Salvador, concluding its long four-year journey to Brazil.

But ready or not, fifty-four hundred miles away in Prague, the 2018 World Cup cycle begins in earnest on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic is a long way from Brazil. However, if one measures by the FIFA calendar, its even further away from Russia, no matter how close it may appear on a map. It’s here at Prague’s Generali Arena that USMNT’s Road to Russia 2018 begins.

Roster choices for Jurgen Klinsmann always come with a selection dilemma. Major League Soccer, with rare exception and unlike every other league on the planet, still does not observe FIFA International Dates. This means when MLS players get called in for international duty, they miss games. It’s an endless source of frustration for both USMNT and MLS head coaches alike. A rapidly increasing number of national team players (both U.S. and otherwise) are now calling MLS home, so it’s a problem that needs solving. But that’s a topic to delve into further on another day.

So normally, MLS clubs push onward without their various National Team stars. This time, Klinsmann has shown mercy on the league by not selecting MLS players (except one, Real Salt Lake GK Nick Rimando, but he won’t miss a league game.) With clubs heading down their playoff stretch runs, it’s a welcome relief around the league.

With just one friendly in Europe on the USMNT schedule this week, maybe it was more luck and timing than mercy. U.S. Soccer had a tentative deal to face Colombia in San Antonio on September 9. That arrangement fell through when the Colombian association failed to sign the contract in time to seal the deal. Otherwise, Klinsmann may have felt more inclined to delve into his domestic player pool with a stateside match.

As it is, Klinsmann limited his call-ups to players based in Europe and Mexico. While he’d no doubt prefer a complete first choice roster, instead he took the opportunity to broaden the player pool with younger talent. Six uncapped players are in camp, and a total of eight players age 21 and under. Nine holdovers from the 2014 Brazil roster provide an intriguing mix of youth and experience.

 

The Rookies:

Emerson Hyndman (Fulham, Midfielder, age 18) – The grandson of former FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman doesn’t have a long history with the U.S. program, having only three U-17 appearances to his name. He’s been part of Fulham’s academy system since 2011. Fulham’s unfortunate relegation from the Premier League may have actually been good fortune for Hyndman. A lower wage budget in The Championship has equaled more playing time and greater responsibility for the young central midfielder. He earned a starting role straight out of training camp and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal start (0-4-1) to Fulham’s 2014-15 campaign. Hyndman also holds a Portuguese passport, so Klinsmann may be keen to get him cap-tied.

Greg Garza (Club Tijuana, Defender, age 23) – Entering his fourth season with the Xolos, Garza has pushed his way into a regular starting role at left back. He spent the last two years primarily as a backup to fellow USMNT mate Edgar Castillo. Castillo has moved on to Liga MX’s Atlas, but it’s the emergence of Garza that ultimately made Castillo expendable in Tijuana. Incumbent USMNT starter DaMarcus Beasley will be 36 in 2018, so Garza enters the fray of a wide open competition. He’s another dual national with Mexican eligibility, despite being born and raised in Texas.

Jordan Morris (Stanford University, Forward, age 19) – Unquestionably the most surprising name on this roster, Morris is the first active U.S. college player to earn a senior national team call-up in nearly 20 years. Like DeAndre Yedlin, Morris is a native of Washington state and a product of the Seattle Sounders FC academy system. He was named to the All-Pac12 Team as a freshman last season with 6 goals and 7 assists, and he excelled with the U.S. U20 Team at the 2013 Toulon Tournament in France. He’s no stranger to Klinsmann and staff, as Morris was named 2013 U.S. Developmental Academy National Player of the Year. He’s a dynamic forward whose time appears to be coming sooner than most projections.

Joe Gyau (Borussia Dortmund II, Forward, age 21) – While Gyau is still seeking his first senior team cap, he’s been capped by the U.S. at nearly every level back to U15. Born in Texas, raised in Maryland, and the son of form U.S. international Phillip Gyau, he’s well entrenched in the American system. However, he’s also a dual national via his grandfather, a former Ghanaian international. Perhaps it’s best to get this kid capped before the Black Stars come calling. Gyau begins his fourth professional year in Germany with a move to a big club in Borussia Dortmund. Granted, he’s been signed to the reserve side, but a foot in the door presents opportunities… even more so if he shows well on the International level.

Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht, Forward, age 18) – Surprise, another uncapped dual national! Rubin is also eligible to represent Mexico, though he’s on record with his preference for the U.S. team. With 14 goals in 37 appearances for the U.S. U17s, American fans will be pleased to hear that. Portland Timbers supporters lament Rubin signing with Dutch club FC Utrecht, rather than with the hometown club where he spent two years in the academy system. On the other hand, Rubin found himself in the starting lineup for an Eredivisie side on opening day last month, then one-upped himself by tallying an assist. He earned his second start last weekend, which isn’t bad for a player who was expected to join Utrecht’s reserves.

Cody Cropper (Southampton, Goalkeeper, age 21) – Cropper won’t get his first cap against the Czechs; Klinsmann has already announced that Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando will each play one half in goal. Nevertheless, Cropper is already becoming a familiar name around the USMNT camp. He trained with the World Cup roster during the Send-Off Series to serve as a fourth keeper in practice and has been called up for European-based friendlies before. At this point, he seems firmly behind both Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson in the pecking order, but with his name on a Premier League roster, he’s bound to stick around the conversation for many years to come. Given his age, Cropper is a prime candidate to start at the 2016 Olympics, which is ostensibly a U23 tournament.

 

Two other players on the roster only have one (1) senior cap, so let’s reacquaint ourselves with:

Bobby Wood (1860 Munich, Forward, age 21) – Wood made his USMNT debut a year ago around this time in Sarajevo during a 4-3 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina (The Altidore hat trick game). He subbed on in the 87th minute for Brad Evans, a mere cameo that got him capped; hardly enough time to make an impression. A substitute for much of the 2013-14 season at 1860 Munich, Wood has started each of the club’s first 5 matches this season after scoring twice in preseason friendlies.

Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt 04, Midfielder, age 24) – Morales’ lone prior USMNT appearance was also a brief one, entering in the 75th minute against Canada in January 2013. Rumors have been floated of continued interest from the Peru National Team (he’d be eligible via his Peruvian-born father), which would require a one-time switch, but these rumors seem to have little substance. He’s been called in by Klinsmann numerous times, and has been in the U.S. system since the U16 level. Morales has been a regular starter at left midfield for 2.Bundesliga side Ingolstadt since early last season, and scored in his team’s opening game of 2014.

 

Everyone Else:

Julian Green (3 caps) and John Brooks (5 caps) seem like relative veterans compared to the group above. When you’ve scored a goal in the World Cup, you’re no longer a newcomer.

The other Brazil 2014 returnees include: Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando, Fabian Johnson, Timothy Chandler, Mix Diskerud, Alejandro Bedoya and Jozy Altidore. Geoff Cameron was initially named to the squad, but withdrew due to injury.

Filling out the rest of the roster are defenders Michael Orozco and Tim Ream, and midfielders Brek Shea and Joe Corona. All four were part of the USMNT mix to various extents during 2014 Qualifying. Corona made the preliminary 30-man roster for Brazil, but was among the final cuts.

 

Projected Lineup:

An educated guess at a projected Starting XI vs. the Czech Republic — I’m not expecting any newcomers in the starting lineup, but we’ll see many of the them in the second half:

4-4-1-1 Formation:

GK: Guzan

DF: Johnson, Brooks, Ream, Chandler

MF: Bedoya, Corona, Diskerud, Shea

FW: Green; Altidore

Corona/Diskerud in a double-pivot central midfield; Green playing more wide than central, tucking in behind Altidore’s hold-up play.

 

Prediction:

United States 2:1 Czech Republic

Altidore 11′ (Diskerud)

Morris 74′ (Hyndman)

 

The United States faces the Czech Republic on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Generali Arena, Prague – 2:15 PM EST, (NBCSN, UniMas).

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Terrence Boyd Scores for Rapid Wien; Americans in Europe Weekend Roundup

Terrence Boyd continues to show well and make his World Cup case. (Photo: GEPA)

Forward Terrence Boyd continued his strong season for Rapid Wien (Vienna) of the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday. Boyd scored in first half stoppage time against Red Bull Salzburg to draw Rapid within a 2:1 margin at halftime. However, a late flurry of Salzburg goals put the game away for the runaway league leaders as Rapid fell 6:3. It was the 14th goal of the season for Boyd across all competitions. He’ll look to help solidify a World Cup roster spot with USMNT this week vs. Ukraine.

Aron Johannsson didn’t score on Sunday, but he did have a rather pretty assist to add to his resume. Johannsson set up teammate Steven Berghuis’s 48th minute goal on the way to AZ Alkmaar’s 4:0 win over RKC Waalwijk. Johannsson dribbled at the top of the 18-yard box, drawing the attention of several defenders before laying off to a charging Berghuis, who finished with a low blast across goal. Here’s a look at the goal sequence:

It was disappointing news for Jozy Altidore on Sunday. The USMNT starting striker was left off the game day squad for Sunderland’s massive League Cup Final contest against Manchester City. There was no word on any injury problem, so we’re left to conclude it was simply the manager’s decision. The absence continues a difficult campaign for Altidore, who has just two Premier League goals on the season.

Elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend:

Clint Dempsey was a surprise inclusion in Fulham’s starting lineup vs. Chelsea. Dempsey had been left out of the 18-man roster for each of Fulham’s previous three matches. Dempsey has several good chances on goal, but wasn’t able to find the scoring column, leaving him without a single goal in nearly 600 minutes with Fulham. His two-month loan term expired with the end of the match. He’ll return to the Seattle Sounders for the start of the MLS season after a midweek stint with the USMNT in Germany and Cyprus.

Geoff Cameron put in another solid performance for Stoke City, doing his part to deal a crushing 1:0 loss to title hopefuls Arsenal. Cameron nearly scored himself in the first half. A bouncing ball in the box found its way to Cameron’s feet, but the USMNT defender/midfielder couldn’t put the shot on frame. He projects to start at right back on Wednesday vs. Ukraine.

Tim Howard bounced back from a difficult 93rd minute own-goal last weekend to post a clean sheet in Everton’s 1:0 victory over West Ham. Howard wasn’t tested often, only requiring one save along the way. The win keeps Everton in 7th position in the league table and still very much in contention to earn a spot in the 2014-15 Europa League.

Brad Guzan‘s Aston Villa notched an important 4:1 over Norwich City. Villa surrendered an early 3rd minute goal off a corner kick, but fought back with a four-goal barrage to take a 4:1 lead into halftime. USMNT backup goalkeeper Guzan made three saves along the way for the winning side, which climbed into 11th place, a seemingly safe 7 points above the relegation zone.

Breaking Down Klinsmann’s Roster for Ukraine Match

By Roderick MacNeil

(EDITOR’S NOTE: As of the publishing time of this article, the USA-Ukraine match once again appears in some doubt. A car bombing in Cyprus targeted at a soccer referee on Friday has resulted in the cancellation of all weekend matches in the Cypriot professional league. We’ll monitor how this story develops and any impact on the USMNT.)

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Could John Brooks earn a ticket to Brazil this summer?

USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named his much anticipated roster for the upcoming International Friendly vs. Ukraine. First, some finalized details on the relocation of the match. Still scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, the match will now take place in Larnaca, Cyprus with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern and will air on ESPN2. The game was relocated from Kharkiv, Ukraine due to escalating political tensions and violence within Ukraine. The team will first train for several days in Frankfurt, Germany before traveling to Cyprus.

Now, let’s dive into the roster. There’s lots to talk about, conclusions to be drawn, and new storylines to watch. As expected, it is a heavily European-based group, in contrast to the January camp roster, which was almost entirely MLS players. Here’s the list by position, followed by my thoughts on what it all means:

GOALKEEPERS (3):

Cody Cropper (Southampton)

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)

Tim Howard (Everton)

 

DEFENDERS (7):

John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)

Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)

Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana)

Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)

Oguchi Onyewu (Sheffield Wednesday)

Will Packwood (Birmingham City)

Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers)

 

MIDFIELDERS (8):

Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes)

Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)

Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg)

Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)

Jermaine Jones (Besiktas)

Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)

Brek Shea (Barnsley)

Danny Williams (Reading)

 

FORWARDS (6):

Juan Agudelo (Utrecht)

Jozy Altidore (Sunderland)

Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna)

Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC)

Julian Green (Bayern Munich)

Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar)

• Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are the only MLS players in camp, but neither was part of the January group. Dempsey has been with Fulham on a two-month loan. Bradley signed with Toronto FC just a week before the January camp, and it was thought best to let him settle in with his new club. Klinsmann believes it important to have both players included here, as he has repeatedly referred to them as part of the essential central “spine” of the team, along with Jozy Altidore, Jermaine Jones and Tim Howard.

• Edgar Castillo is the only other player called in who is not based in Europe, and the only one from Liga MX. What to make of this? It would seem to bode well for Castillo’s chances of making the World Cup roster. It also reveals a lack of depth at left back within Europe. Fabian Johnson has played there extensively with Hoffenheim, but Klinsmann has shown to prefer him in the midfield. Based on this roster, there’s a good chance Castillo starts vs. Ukraine. The absence of other Liga MX players (particularly DaMarcus Beasley, Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, Michael Orozco and Jose Torres) probably doesn’t mean much here. There will be one more opportunity for those players in April vs. Mexico.

• Mix Diskerud is the sole holdover from January. It’s another sign that he’s very much in contention for a spot in Brazil, but it’s also partly a scheduling quirk. Diskerud’s club, Rosenborg BK of Norway’s Tippeligaen, plays a similar calendar to MLS with a season that runs from March to November. He was the only European-based player in contention that did not have a club conflict in January, so Klinsmann brought him in for an extended look.

• Julian Green will join the group for training in Frankfurt and accompany the team to Cyprus. He is ineligible to play vs. Ukraine, as he must first file for a FIFA one-time association switch. Green, who is American-born and German-raised, has previously represented Germany at the youth level. Once the 18-year-old Bayern Munich phenom completes the paperwork, he would be permanently tied to the United States.

• John Brooks returns after making his first USMNT appearance in November vs. Bosnia-Hercegovina. The 20-year-old German-born center back recently missed a few weeks due to injury with Hertha Berlin, but returned last week in a substitute appearance. He remains on the fringe of contention for Brazil.

• Will Packwood of Birmingham City earns his first senior team call-up. The 20-year-old has 18 previous appearances at the youth level and has impressed at center back in the English Championship this season. He is likely not in the hunt for a World Cup spot; his inclusion has more of an eye towards 2018.

• Alfredo Morales is a surprise inclusion. The 23-year-old German-born defender made his first USMNT appearance a year ago in a friendly vs. Canada, but is still not cap tied. He has reportedly drawn interest from the Peruvian national team, as his father was born in Peru. The call-up keeps Morales integrated with Klinsmann’s program and he’s also a player who could emerge in the next cycle.

• Danny Williams and Brek Shea, two English Championship midfielders who have both previously seen larger roles with the national team, both return in a last ditch push for Brazil, but under very different circumstances. Williams has flourished since his arrival at Reading FC, while Shea has struggled for playing time since being loaned to Barnsley from Stoke City.

• Oguchi Onyewu and Tim Ream, both English Championship defenders seeking to return to favor with the USMNT, seem extremely long shot candidates for Brazil, at best. But an opportunity is there to seize, and each will seek the make the most of it. Onyewu has impressed since his transfer to Sheffield Wednesday from Queens Park Rangers. Ream has been a steady fixture at left back for Bolton Wanderers, but has faded from Klinsmann’s favor.

• Juan Agudelo, fresh off his hot start at FC Utrecht of the Dutch Eredivisie, gets another shot to claim one of the last spots on the World Cup roster. It’s a critical opportunity for Agudelo, who would likely have to beat out Terrence Boyd to be included as the final forward on the depth chart.

• As for the European-based players not called in, it’s the end of the line as far as 2014 World Cup hopes. There remains strong factions of fan support for right backs Steven Cherundolo, Timothy Chandler and Eric Lichaj, but the reality is that each, for very different reasons, has been largely out of the national team picture for quite some time. Cherundolo is long on experience but hasn’t even been able to get on the field for his own club. Chandler is currently injured, but hasn’t been called in by Klinsmann for a year now, and Lichaj failed to get the call after returning to the USMNT last fall from a two year absence. Jonathan Spector, another past fixture on the back line, also did not make the cut. An erroneous early report that he had made the roster was later discredited by U.S. Soccer.

Projected Starting Lineup:

GK: Howard

D: Cameron, Ream, Brooks, Castillo

MF: Bedoya, Bradley, Jones, Johnson

F: Dempsey, Altidore

Given the unusual circumstances surrounding next Wednesday’s match, the actual result of the game may be of minimal consequence. It is, after all, only a friendly, but it’s also now one played on neutral soil against a team possibly preoccupied with greater concerns back home. Who knows what we’ll see from Ukraine? Herhaps a team distracted, perhaps a team motivated; in any case, Ukraine is a quality team that nearly reached the World Cup. It’ll be a stern test for the USMNT, but in the bigger picture, the individual performances in this game will tell us a lot more than the final score.