By: COLIN REESE
An attacking trident of Fabian Johnson, Jozy Altidore, and Clint Dempsey gives the USMNT an attack that has a second striker or withdrawn forward in Dempsey, a Number 9 in Altidore, and a winger in Johnson who can float around with Dempsey all over the attacking third.
Right Attacker: Fabian JOHNSON
If Greg Garza continues to play well at left back, then a two-footed player with Fabian Johnson’s skill and speed is a weapon that needs to be used in the attack. Johnson is a quality finisher and creative player who isn’t just a player whose game is based on speed. Johnson is a very fast player, but he’s also a player that knows how to put the ball in the back of the net with both feet. Playing with the two players listed below, Johnson’s skill-set and athleticism should be even more influential.
Striker: Jozy ALTIDORE
Sunderland slump aside, Jozy Altidore combines skill with power and athleticism. Altidore has shown that he can score with either foot or his head. When given a strike partner or just better service Altidore can and has scored against elite competition. Clint Dempsey and Altidore play well together, and Altidore is a talented and effective striker when he isn’t stranded up top. With the emergence of Mix Diskerud as a midfield force, Altidore should be seeing more service and better final balls. Unlike in the past, Altidore looks more capable of attacking from wide positions as well, which makes the attacking trident very fluid and potentially dangerous to opposition defenses.
Left Attacker: Clint DEMPSEY
Pater familias of the USMNT and resident expert in showing no respect for his opponents, Clint Dempsey is the main protagonist in the American attack. He combines trickery, skill, and creativity with his famous toughness and durability. He attacks with skill, pace, and calmness in front of goal, and he can display more of his skill when given talented teammates to combine with. At 31 years old, Deuce needs 18 more goals to reach Landon Donovan’s record of 57 USMNT goals. Donovan was a regular for the United States a few years before Dempsey, and it will be exciting to see if Dempsey can equal Donovan’s scoring record in the coming years.