By: COLIN REESE
Jürgen Klinsmann would be wise to form a midfield trio with a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, and an attacking midfielder. The attacking midfielder that has been the missing piece in the American midfield is Mix Diskerud, and even as an “attacking midfielder” he provides a lot of defending and running in what is something of a combination between a regista role, a central midfielder role, and a Number 10 role. Geoff Cameron as a defensive midfielder gives Michael Bradley a more defined role than when Bradley was paired with Jermaine Jones and both players battled to be the player with the freedom to attack.
Central Midfielder: Michael BRADLEY (Toronto FC)
With Geoff Cameron also starting in the midfield triumvirate, Michael Bradley can play as a Number 8 with more freedom to go forward. Unlike his partnership with Jermaine Jones, which looked to be two central midfielders both wanting the Number 8 role, Bradley’s partnership with Cameron has Cameron playing the clearly defined role of the Number 6 extraordinaire. Bradley is effective going forward, but nothing close to Mix Diskerud’s attacking and creative artistry. No comparison.
Attacking Midfielder: Mix DISKERUD (Rosenborg)
Mix Diskerud has become some combination of a regista and Number 10, and his evolution into a regista was due to his improved defending and work rate in the midfield. Diskerud is inventive and adventurous in his passing, which is usually on target, but now Diskerud covers more territory and enjoys playing defense. Comparing Diskerud to Marco Verratti or Andrea Pirlo is a felony, but this is more the type of role that he is playing for the USMNT.
Defensive Midfielder: Geoff CAMERON (Stoke City)
While Geoff Cameron and Michael Bradley both provide more of the defensive bite in the midfield trio than Diskerud, Cameron plays the role of the stay-at-home defensive midfielder to Bradley’s Number 8 role. Despite being labeled a defensive midfielder in this midfield trio, Cameron lives to stretch his legs, hit outside of the foot passes with both feet, and spray passes all over the field. Since Bradley is also in the midfield, Cameron can pick and choose his spots to go on kamikaze attacking runs with the assurance that Bradley will cover for him deeper in the midfield. Bradley is famous for his tireless running, but Cameron is the more impressive athlete and faster player.