USMNT

What Went Wrong in the 2-1 USA Loss to Mexico?

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What Went Wrong in the 2-1 USA Loss to Mexico?

In the 2-1 loss to Mexico in the hexagonal of World Cup qualifying, the United States Men’s National Team had a few players out of position, and this hurt Jürgen Klinsmann’s team’s ability to keep and recover possession. With three center backs and really only Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones in the midfield, the United States struggled to link up the midfield with the attack.

Geoff Cameron was unavailable due to injury for this game, and that forced the United States to use a slower and less talented defender in Omar Gonzalez. With or without Cameron, starting Sacha Kljestan in the midfield with Bradley and Jones instead of using three center backs might have better defined Bradley’s and Jones’ role while also adding another midfielder to keep possession and serve as a playmaker for the two strikers.

Christian Pulisic was dangerous and active in the attack as a Number 10, but he needed another creative midfielder to combine with to help playmake for Bobby Wood and Jozy Altidore. Pulisic did his best, but the lineup was light on midfielders.

You could argue that dropping one of the center backs and starting DeAndre Yedlin over Timothy Chandler were the only things wrong with Klinsmann’s lineup and formation, but those two things had a devastating effect on the USA’s performance. Unfortunately, tactical mistakes like these have been the norm for Klinsmann as head coach of the United States. Referring to Klinsmann’s lack of accountability to Sunil Gulati and U.S. Soccer, the journalist, Kurtis Larson, tweeted that Klinsmann’s ‘leash is the circumference of the globe.’

Against a talented team like Mexico with players playing for better club teams, Klinsmann was wrong to use a new lineup that lacked balance or link up play between the midfield and the attack. This seems to be the mistake that Klinsmann makes over and over; he refuses to field a playmaker to help the United States to keep possession and play final balls to the forward or forwards. It’s unclear why Klinsmann continues to keep making the same mistake because he has several playmaker options at his disposal.

Klinsmann has coached the United States for five years now, and there’s nothing more to say about his tactics and personnel choices. They’re normally pretty poor. The coach has made a few excellent choices like consistently starting Bobby Wood because he is a talented striker full of skill, direct play, and creative play, and even more importantly, he consistently scores against good teams.

When the United States plays Costa Rica next, Klinsmann will need to field a formation that allows the players to keep possession better.

 

Grading the Most Recent USMNT Roster against Mexico and Costa Rica

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Grading the Most Recent USMNT Roster against Mexico and Costa Rica

Jürgen Klinsmann’s most recent United States Men’s National Team roster to face Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying was light on technical skill and fullbacks. While the forward selections minus Alan Gordon were correct, the midfield and defense have makeshift feels. The midfield has only Sacha Kljestan in the creation, while Lee Nguyen, Darlington Nagbe, and Sebastian Lletget were all omitted. Juan Agudelo did enough to earn a roster spot only to see a big bruiser in Gordon take his roster spot.

Defense: C

The defense has too many center backs, and there isn’t a clear-cut back-up for the right back and left back positions. DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson are clearly the starting outside backs, but the substitutes aren’t clear like-for-like replacements. Timothy Chandler plays right back or left back, so he’s one left back substitute, which makes Michael Orozco the right back substitute. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of two clear right backs and two clear left backs. Cameron Carter-Vickers is an impressive young center back, but why were both Omar Gonzalez and Steve Birnbaum put on the roster then?

Midfield: C

The midfield selections lack a Sacha Kljestan replacement at the playmaker or central attacking midfielder position, and that spot should be filled by Lee Nguyen. Lynden Gooch and Julian Green are arguably lower down the depth chart than Sebastian Lletget and Paul Arriola or Kelyn Rowe on the wings, and there has to be room for Darlington Nagbe and Kellyn Acosta to be substitutes in central midfield. Caleb Stanko is a talented defensive midfielder, but Perry Kitchen was being groomed to replace Kyle Beckerman. Alejandro Bedoya and Graham Zusi are the other wings on this roster, and those two don’t bring enough individual skill to the wings. Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Christian Pulisic, and Sacha Kljestan clearly earned their spots, but the rest of the midfield is questionable.

Forwards: A-

Except for Alan Gordon, the forward selections are strong. Juan Agudelo would have been a much stronger option than Gordon, so Klinsmann gets an A- for forward selections. Despite not seeing much club playing time, Rubio Rubin has impressed with the national team in the past, and it’s time to just start consistently putting him on the roster due to his talent level and aggressive play. It’s hard to say that Aron Johannsson isn’t a quality center forward though, so how can you question his selection?

Questionable Call-ups

Alan Gordon, Graham Zusi, Caleb Stanko, Lynden Gooch, Michael Orozco, Julian Green, Cameron Carter-Vickers

Notable Omissions

Sebastian Lletget, Juan Agudelo, Darlington Nagbe, Lee Nguyen, Kellyn Acosta

 

Who Should Make the USA Roster Against Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying?

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Who Should Make the USA Roster Against Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying?

The United States Men’s National Team soon faces off against Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying, and those two national teams are both strong opponents who play better soccer. The United States needs to commit to fielding more skilled players and a playmaker, which Jürgen Klinsmann has been doing with Sacha Kljestan. World Soccer Sources rates Sebastian Lletget and Lee Nguyen better at the playmaker position, but Nguyen and Lletget can play together as Lletget is an excellent wing player who can beat defenders off the dribble and set up goals.

While our picks deviate from Jürgen Klinsmann’s likely picks, World Soccer Source backs these players as technical and athletic players with strong soccer minds. This isn’t a prediction; it’s an opinion. Much of Klinsmann’s core group of players is here minus Geoff Cameron who is said to be unavailable due to injury. Klinsmann’s picks have been better, but World Soccer Source still has a problem with the lack of attacking midfielders and skill players.

Goalkeepers- Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough), William Yarbrough (Club León)

Say what you want about the overall skill level and soccer ability of the U.S. Men’s National Team, but they have always had goalkeepers. Ethan Horvath is another option as the third-choice goalkeeper. Who knows yet whether Yarbrough or Horvath is better?

Center Backs- Steve Birnbaum (DC United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

*Geoff Cameron is injured

These center back choices are set up to have Steve Birnbaum starting with John Brooks, and this is more or less the first-choice pairing with an injured Geoff Cameron. Omar Gonzalez is a proven center back, but his lateral quickness and overall athletic ability are below those of Birnbaum. Mexico and Costa Rica have quick and skillful attacking midfielders who should be able to throw Gonzalez off balance. Andrew Farrell is listed below under center backs instead of right back where he has been playing for the New England Revolution; Farrell is a center back by trade who also uses his speed and individual skill well as a right back. Omar Gonzalez was reportedly having knee pain, so perhaps having both Steve Birnbaum (who was injured) and Gonzalez on the roster is risky.

Right Backs- DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest)

DeAndre Yedlin and Eric Lichaj are the clear best right backs in the U.S. Men’s National Team pool, but Klinsmann has never really rated Lichaj for whatever reason. Almost no one agrees with Klinsmann in this regard.

Left Backs- Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Robbie Rogers (LA Galaxy)

Right now, Fabian Johnson and Robbie Rogers are looking like the best left back options for the U.S. Jorge Villafaña has earned a spot on the national team, and Kellyn Acosta – a center midfielder by trade- has performed well when asked to play left back or right back.

Defensive/Central Midfielders- Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Perry Kitchen (Hearts), Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)

World Soccer Source sees Michael Bradley as a defensive midfielder or Number 6 midfielder even if Sigi Schmid sees him as more of a box-to-box midfielder or Number 8. Perry Kitchen is the other defensive midfielder in the field who looks ready to back-up Bradley or start with him. Darlington Nagbe has performed well for the national team when given minutes, and his type of ball skills, speed, and non-stop running could really help the United States. Kellyn Acosta is another important player to include because he can play either as a defensive midfielder or box-to-box midfielder, and he has been one of the young standout American players for his overall ability and athleticism. Acosta would be a strong partner for Bradley as Acosta would stay back and defend when needed or advanced forward when needed; this allows Bradley to alternate between playing deep in front of the defense or bombing forward with possession.

Attacking Midfielders and Wings- Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Monchengladbach), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew)

These attacking midfielder and wing positions have been a major weak point for Klinsmann, and a lack of talented options has not been a problem. Klinsmann has simply refused to use a playmaker until very recently, but there are capable players in the pool. Lee Nguyen, Benny Feilhaber, and Sacha Kljestan were all specifically mentioned by Sigi Schmid in an interview with Alexi Lalas for the Mutant Gene Podcast as suitable playmakers for the national team, and now the United States also has Sebastian Lletget who can also play on either wing, in central midfield, or as a second striker. World Soccer Source sees Lletget, Nguyen, and Christian Pulisic as perhaps the ideal line of three attacking midfielders in front of Bradley and Acosta as the holding midfielders. Kelyn Rowe and Ethan Finlay provide needed depth in the wings, and they can both play on either side. Rowe is also a Number 10 himself.

Center Forwards- Bobby Wood (Hamburg), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)

It was difficult to leave Jordan Morris off this list, but World Soccer Source went with Juan Agudelo who is likely the most talented and impressive striker in the American pool. With that being said, Bobby Wood is still a lock at striker for this writer and Klinsmann. Wood is a smooth and skillful center forward who attacks the goal very aggressively and stretches the defense. Compared to Jozy Altidore who simply doesn’t attack with the same ferocity of Wood, Wood really stands out. Wood constantly threatens the defense and makes run on and off the ball. Wood can finish with both feet and his head, and he combines well with forward partners. Altidore is still an impressive forward who has underrated creativity and technical ability, which he has shown time and time again during his career. Altidore has suffered the most by Klinsmann’s reluctance to use a playmaker in the past, but Wood has done a better job of making runs dictating a pass from his midfielders or striker partner. There’s nothing wrong with starting Wood and Altidore together, and this doubling up of center forwards in the lineup is the type of attacking shift the national team needs.

 

Our Preferred USA Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Howard; Yedlin, Farrell, Brooks, Johnson; Bradley, Acosta; Lletget, Nguyen, Pulisic; Wood.

Who Should the United States Start against Cuba?

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Who Should the United States Start against Cuba?

Jürgen Klinsmann and the United States Men’s National Team should use their best lineup in the friendly against Cuba, rather than doing too much experimentation.

Klinsmann has found a strong defensive unit, and he should stick with that Back Four. That also means starting Michael Bradley and Sacha Kljestan again in the center of the midfield with Christian Pulisic out wide. Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood have formed an effective striker partnership, and doubling up on strikers is an excellent idea for a national team like the United States that has struggled to score enough against top competition.

Using Altidore and Wood not only allows Altidore to have a strike partner, which allows him to be more involved, but it also makes it harder for the defense to mark Wood.

Maybe the only change to the lineup would be starting Paul Arriola on the right wing. If Pulisic is going to be on the left wing, then Arriola is the obvious choice to man the right wing, and Arriola has already performed well for the United States. Like Pulisic, Arriola brings speed and skill to the wing, and Arriola can also create like a Number 10. The Tijuana midfielder and forward also knows how to score.

Possible Starting Lineup (4-4-2  Formation)

Goalkeeper- Ethan Horvath

Right Back- DeAndre Yedlin

Center Back- Geoff Cameron

Center Back- John Brooks

Left Back- Fabian Johnson

Right Wing- Paul Arriola

Center Defensive Midfielder- Michael Bradley

Center Attacking Midfielder- Sacha Kljestan

Left Wing- Christian Pulisic

First Striker- Jozy Altidore

Second Striker- Bobby Wood

 

 

The Best 23 Players for the USMNT Roster (September 2016)

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The Best 23 Players for the USMNT Roster (September 2016)

Who Jürgen Klinsmann will select for the United States roster and who he should select are two different questions. The American player pool is experiencing a real depth at striker with some five strikers on form: Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Bobby Wood, Rubio Rubin, and Jordan Morris.

The defenses that have been used recently have been solid and cohesive, but Klinsmann has shown a tendency once again to shuffle around the players in his defense too much.

The midfield is the real area that needs improving, and better two-way central midfielders as well as better creative midfielders are included in the midfield section below.

Here is World Soccer Source’s list for the best 23-man United States roster right now:

Goalkeepers- Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Ethan Horvath

There’s no reason not to have both Tim Howard and Brad Guzan on the national team, and only which third goalkeeper to include is very debatable. The United States has many excellent goalkeepers, and Ethan Horvath is currently the favored third goalkeeper with the coaches, fans, and media.

Defenders- Geoff Cameron, John Brooks, Steve Birnbaum, Matt Besler, DeAndre Yedlin, Andrew Farrell, Fabian Johnson, Jorge Villafaña

The four center backs listed above are all proven defenders who enjoy widespread support with the fan base and media, and the same can be said of the four fullbacks selected. Andrew Farrell is back to playing right back this season, but he is as good or better at center back. Dominic Kinnear’s selection of Farrell for the MLS All-Star team is a strong indication of his abilities, and the national team needs any defender like him than it can get. Farrell is fast, technical, and difficult to get past. He also is an attacking threat whose speed up and down the sideline is a big weapon like DeAndre Yedlin’s is.

Midfielders- Michael Bradley, Kellyn Acosta, Fatai Alashe, Dillon Powers, Darlington Nagbe, Sebastian Lletget, Kelyn Rowe, Christian Pulisic

This group of midfielders is more or less four defensive midfielders and four attacking midfielders. Michael Bradley is a given for a starting spot for the United States, and including Kellyn Acosta, Fatai Alashe, and Dillon Powers improves the overall two-way ability of the U.S.’ midfielders. Darlington Nagbe excels in this category as well, but Klinsmann hasn’t given him many minutes for some reason. Nagbe can be used as a playmaker or central midfielder, and the same applies for Dillon Powers. Christian Pulisic has proven to be a combination of speed and skill with no problem performing well in the Bundesliga or on the international level, and he can play in a wide or central attacking role for the team. Sebastian Lletget and Kelyn Rowe are included for their skill and creativity because the United States is weak in these categories. Like Pulisic, they can play on either wing or behind the forwards, and both can also play as central midfielders. It’s surprising that neither one of these players has ever been selected for national team duty, but they should be.

Forwards- Bobby Wood, Juan Agudelo, Rubio Rubin, Landon Donovan

Wood, Rubin, and Agudelo are all more active on and off the ball than Altidore, and this makes them more dangerous than Altidore. Even with Altidore in great form, these three are more talented and technical players, which means the United States has better forwards than it used to have. One gets the impression that these three cause the opposing defense more problems. With Landon Donovan back playing for the LA Galaxy, even at 34 years old, he’s too talented and savvy to omit, but Klinsmann will omit him. Donovan was a very fast and quick player in his prime, and his overall quickness hasn’t diminished enough to consider him over the hill. The inclusion of Donovan means that there isn’t room for Paul Arriola of Tijuana FC, who has consistently performed well whenever Klinsmann has given him the chance to play. The likely inclusion is Arriola or a scenario where Altidore is one of four center forwards on the roster as Wood and Rubin can play first or second striker.

*Clint Dempsey not medically cleared yet, but he is a must inclusion when cleared.

Depth and Quality at Striker New for the United States

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Depth and Quality at Striker New for the United States

Striker traditionally just denoted the center forward or Number 9 position, and of course there was always the second striker or withdrawn forward to support and feed the first striker.

Nowadays, the term striker is sometimes used for any forward, but for the United States Men’s National Team, true strikers had been in short supply. With the emergence of Bobby Wood and Rubin Rubin, the United States has two talented center forwards who aren’t just target men for headers. Wood and Rubin are refined strikers with a full arsenal of attacking skills. The United States also has its long time striker, Jozy Altidore, who continues to improve and expand his skills and qualities.

Juan Agudelo is also back in good form, and Agudelo is something of the American striker par excellence. So far, Agudelo is the most explosive and talented of the American strikers, but Wood has proven to be a clinical and smooth striker with lots of speed and skill.

This kind of striker depth is a new phenomenon for the United States, and there are other strikers like Jordan Morris who haven’t been discussed yet. Putting the ball in the back of the net against elite competition has been a weakness for the United States, but Wood has shown a greater ability to get behind and past defenders than other strikers the U.S. has had. The Hawaiian center forward can take defenders off the dribble or slip behind them to receive passes, but he also knows how to suck defenders toward himself in order to set up a teammate to score.

The United States would be wise to capitalize on their striker talent, but again and again we see a reluctance from coaches of the U.S. to start an attacking midfielder or playmaker to feed the center forward.

Allotting at least three roster spots to center forwards is the wise choice for Jürgen Klinsmann. The United States has had a problem with losing its center forward in big tournaments, but losing two is possible as well. As goals are so crucial to success, reserving at least three roster spots to center forwards is not excessive on a 23-man roster. Since there is striker depth, why not start two forwards together with one as the first striker or Number 9 and the others as the second striker or Number 11.

Clint Dempsey used to be the only real scoring threat for the United States against top competition, but as a second striker, attacking midfielder, or wing, he was farther from the goal. Now with several strikers with the skill and athleticism to really threaten better international competition, the United States is moving towards being a tougher opponent.

How the USMNT Can Improve its Attack

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How the USMNT Can Improve its Attack

By bringing Bobby Wood into the U.S. National Team, Jürgen Klinsmann has already improved the American attack. Wood is an excellent strike partner for Clint Dempsey, and both players are technical and creative players. With Wood starting, the attack is more dynamic. Wood plays with more skill and movement that Jozy Altidore, and this gives Dempsey more support in the attack.

Adding a true Number 10 like Sebastian Lletget would make the American attack even better because Lletget can be a playmaker for both forwards, and he can also score himself. With Lletget, Wood, and Dempsey in the attack, the United States would have a more dangerous and talented group of attackers.

The United States has been lacking enough talent in the attack to really threaten top national teams, and these three – or Rubio Rubin in place of Dempsey- have the qualities to improve the attack. This attack won’t magically make the United States as good as the likes of Chile, Argentina, or Germany, but it will signal a major improvement to the overall skill of the United States. This would be an attack that displayed skill soccer over just toughness and a high work rate.

Dempsey still has several years in the tank, but Rubin is also ready to start for the United States now. Rubin has already played well for the United States, and nothing about him or his play indicates that he needs more development before playing a major role.

Without Dempsey, an attack comprised of Lletget, Wood, and Rubin would also be a skillful and dynamic attack that plays proactively against top opponents rather than waiting to score off a set piece or benefit from a defensive mistake.

Klinsmann has already figured out that Wood and Dempsey are an effective strike partnership, and he has already brought Rubin into the national team and seen him perform well. Adding Lletget to the squad or even just using Darlington Nagbe as an attacking midfielder would improve the American attack even more.

The United States looks close to having an attack that can do real damage against elite opponents. Klinsmann doesn’t need to change his Wood-Dempsey combination, but he would be wise to better link up the midfield to the attack with Lletget and/or Nagbe.

 

Who Should Start for the USMNT in the Copa America?

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Who Should Start for the USMNT in the Copa America?

Jürgen Klinsmann’s starting lineups continue to lack continuity, and there is always the feeling that one or two players are out of position. But, the squad has the personnel to field a balanced and talented lineup. There isn’t a lot of creativity or goal-scoring ability, but there aren’t likely to be any players who look at sea against Latin American competition.

Goalkeeper

Brad Guzan has been backed as the starting goalkeeper for the United States, and there is no reason to doubt him. Perhaps Tim Howard is better, but Guzan has never really been allowed to settle into the role and make it his own. Commentators and fans seem to always be looking to be able to say that any mistake Guzan made, Howard wouldn’t have made. We’ll see, but Guzan is a proven EPL goalkeeper that almost any national team would be proud to have.

Fullbacks

DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson are the best choices for the right back and left back positions. Yedlin has vastly improved his defending in regards to his marking, tackling, and physicality, and Johnson is a skilled left back who plays better as a wing in the midfield or attack. Johnson is a more skilled and technical player than Yedlin, but Johnson sometimes doesn’t track back on defense well enough.

Center Backs

In the center of the defense, Geoff Cameron and John Brooks are likely the best options at center back. An argument can be made that Cameron could better serve the national team as a defensive midfielder to let Bradley have more freedom to go forward, but Bradley is an excellent defensive midfielder who excels at not only defending but passing from the back of the midfield. This allows Jermaine Jones the license to attack.

Midfielders

A three-man midfield of Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, and Darlington Nagbe is a strong option for the United States. Bradley can play the role of the defensive midfielder who plays in front of the defense, and this frees up both Jones and Nagbe to go forward and feed Clint Dempsey, Christian Pulisic, and Bobby Wood.

Forwards/Attackers

In the attack, Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood, and Clint Dempsey form the best trio. Pulisic and Dempsey are “wings” on paper, but really their role is more as playmakers and goalscorers in their own right. Both can float out wide or play more centrally, and likewise Wood isn’t a stereotypical center forward. Nevertheless, Wood is a center forward. Just because he drops deep, drifts out wide, and looks to play final balls doesn’t mean that he isn’t a center forward. The belief of the Number 9 as only a big bruiser of a center forward playing with his back to goal and mostly looking to score headers is a fairly Stone Age concept of the center forward position. Wood can score with either foot, and he can stretch the defense and get behind them. Speed kills, and Wood is certainly fast and skilled.

Clint Dempsey

The belief that Dempsey has lost a step of lacks the stamina to run for 90 minutes lacks much proof. Dempsey’s play and fitness don’t suggest that he is slowing down or should be a bench player. The view that the United States somehow don’t need Dempsey starting is a vast overestimation of the technical ability of the United States’ other players.

Dempsey still stands apart from all other American soccer players in terms of technical ability and creativity. Even Nagbe so far has looked to be largely one-footed despite all of his many great attributes. Pulisic is an excellent young player that has proven his abilities in the Bundesliga, but he isn’t at Dempsey’s level yet, as Dempsey has the skill, mentality, and physicality to excel against world-class competition. The United States would be best served by Pulisic and Dempsey playing together.

Importance of the Midfield

Much of the success of this team will be dependent on the midfield, which is the same situation where any team finds itself. An American midfield of Bradley, Jones, and Nagbe is full of running, ball-winning ability, and technical skill, and if those three don’t offer enough defensive coverage then the United States has major problems.

Those three offer almost an excessive tendency toward the defensive, but all three are two-way threats. Jones, Bradley, and Nagbe is two holding midfielders and an attacking midfielder, and that is a tried and true midfield formula.

For example, Argentina  will likely be starting Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, and Javier Pastore which is two defensive midfielders and an attacking midfielder.

My USA XI: Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson; Jones, Bradley, Nagbe; Pulisic, Wood, Dempsey.

 

Which 23 players should make the USMNT Copa America roster?

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Which 23 players should make the USMNT Copa America roster?

Jürgen Klinsmann has selected a 40-man United States preliminary roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenário, and once again there are multiple players on the roster that do not deserve to be there given the other talent in the pool.

The following players likely didn’t deserve to make the 40-man roster: Brad Evans, Alfredo Morales, Chris Wondolowski, Edgar Castillo, Graham Zusi, Michael Orozco, Gyasi Zardes, Timmy Chandler, Danny Williams, and Ventura Alvarado.

That’s 10 important roster spots that could have gone to either more talented or more in-form players. The 10 players that would have been better picks are: Sebastian Lletget, Rubio Rubin, Dillon Powers, Juan Agudelo, Kelyn Rowe, Jorge Villafaña, Brek Shea,  Andrew Farrell, Paul Arriola, and Fatai Alashe.

Nevertheless, Klinsmann must cut down his 40-man roster to 23 names, and here are the names that World Soccer Source believes deserve to make it.

Goalkeepers (3)- Brad Guzan, David Bingham, Ethan Horvath

World Soccer Source went with two younger goalkeepers to back up Brad Guzan instead of backing Howard, but Howard is an excellent goalkeeper who still has several years of quality goalkeeping in the tank.

Defenders (8)- Geoff Cameron, Steve Birnbaum, Matt Miazga, John Brooks, DeAndre Yedlin, Eric Lichaj, Kellyn Acosta, Tim Ream

Cameron, Birnbaum, Miazga, and Brooks give the squad the requisite four center backs, and Yedlin, Lichaj, Acosta, and Ream give the squad four fullbacks or outside backs. Yedlin and Lichaj are the right backs on paper, and Acosta and Ream are the left backs. Acosta plays right back or left back, despite really being a center midfielder or defensive midfielder. Lichaj can play left back, but he is a right back. Ream is a left-footed center back that also plays left back well.

Midfielders (6)- Michael Bradley, Perry Kitchen, Jermaine Jones, Darlington Nagbe, Lee Nguyen, Fabian Johnson

Bradley, Kitchen, and Jones give the squad three defensive midfielders, and Bradley and Jones are also box-to-box midfielders. Bradley and Jones do not partner well together because they normally don’t have a clear designation of roles: either the stay-at-home defensive midfielder or the Number 8 central midfielder. Nagbe is an attacking midfielder that has become an excellent Number 8 midfielder, plus he can play wide or as a second striker. Johnson is a winger, and Nguyen is a true playmaker that is essentially a Number 10.

Forwards(6)- Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood, Ethan Finlay, Jordan Morris

Altidore, Wood, and Morris are all center forwards, and Dempsey, Finlay, and Pulisic are all either attacking midfielders/second strikers or wings. All three can play well wide or centrally, and they give the center forwards a strike partner or wing support. Johnson listed as a midfielder can play as a wing or either side in a Front Three.

*Jozy Altidore is now out injured with a hamstring injury

A Better USMNT Midfield

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A New United States Midfield Three

The American midfields under national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann have been ever changing, and the United States Men’s National Team would benefit from order and consistency.

A three-man midfield is as good as any, and one of the hallmarks of a three-man midfield is the inclusion of a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, and an attacking midfielder.

Frequently, three-man midfields have one defensive midfielder and two box-to-box midfielders with the attacking midfielder or playmaker up with the Front Three.

Who should be in the American Midfield Three?

World Soccer Source backs the use of Michael Bradley as the defensive midfielder with Darlington Nagbe and Dillon Powers as box-to-box midfielders.

One bonus of using Nagbe and Powers is that both of these players have the endurance of Number 8 midfielders with the creativity and technical ability of attacking midfielders.

Nagbe has often been praised for his ability to roam all over the field and transport the ball from deep in the midfield into the attack, and this Number 8 role allows him to do that with the national team just like he does with his club team, the Portland Timbers.

Dillon Powers has to be high on the list of underrated American soccer players. After winning MLS Rookie of the Year several years back, Powers has continued to show why he is a much more talented and complete midfielder than the types of midfielders that the United States used to produce. Too many of these midfielders were simply hustle players that were hard tacklers, but they lacked the actual skill to be able to perform at the international level against better competition.

After years as coach of the United States, it’s unclear why Klinsmann has never once used Powers. There’s no justification or explanation for it. His competition was never Bradley and Jermaine Jones, as both of those players could mesh well with Powers.

With the Copa America Centenario coming up this summer, the United States needs to greatly improve the overall skill and tactical formation of its midfield or risk getting embarrassed by superior South American competition. A Midfield Three of Powers, Bradley, and Nagbe makes so much sense, and given how little thought it took to propose it, it’s a wonder that Klinsmann has never bothered to try it.

After Nagbe has shown well for the United States, he still doesn’t appear to be one of the first names on the lineup sheet for Klinsmann, and this is worrying. If deserving players can show well and impress their teammates and still not become starters, then how much hope can there be of Klinsmann using a better midfield this summer?

With both Powers and Nagbe in the Midfield Three, Sebastian Lletget is best used on the right in the Front Three as Clint Dempsey should be the first option to line up out left in that free attacking role.