Here is World Soccer Source’s Best Pre-World Cup XI, which has Neymar listed where a Number 10 would normally play, but Neymar is really a wing or second striker.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also taking part in the 2014 World Cup, Neymar was listed as the central attacking midfielder in place of a true Number 10 such as Oscar, Andrés Iniesta, Mario Götze, or even Javier Pastore.
The players included in the following Pre-World Cup Best XI provide enough passing and creativity to be able to sacrifice a player such as Iniesta, Oscar, Götze, or Pastore from the XI.
Using only players with a realistic chance of making the United States Men’s National Team roster, which World Soccer Source will assume contains Mix Diskerud and Joe Corona and not Benny Feilhaber, here is this writer’s preferred USA XI for the 2014 World Cup.
One of the caveats is that World Soccer Source is operating under the tactical assumption that having Joe Corona, Mix Diskerud, and Clint Dempsey in front of Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley will prevent Jones and Bradley from making attacking forays at the same time as they will have players with whom to link up, which should encourage them to look to play passes to those more attack-minded players.
World Soccer Source did not put Landon Donovan in its USA XI, but World Soccer Source backs the use of Donovan as the right wing with either Corona or Diskerud as the central attacking midfielder.
USA XI (4-2-3-1)
Tim HOWARD; DeAndre YEDLIN, Michael OROZCO, Geoff CAMERON, Fabian JOHNSON; Jermaine JONES, Michael BRADLEY; Joe CORONA, Mix DISKERUD, Clint DEMPSEY; Jozy ALTIDORE
Rationale
World Soccer Source’s USA XI is limited to players with a likely chance of being selected to the World Cup roster by Jürgen Klinsmann, which eliminates Benny Feilhaber, based on Klinsmann’s past preferences.
Landon Donovan is not in this Starting XI, but either Diskerud or Corona could be deployed in the Number 10 role with Donovan playing on the right wing.
A Donovan-Corona/Diskerud-Dempsey line of three attacking midfielders would be well-received and applauded by World Soccer Source.
The thinking behind keeping Donovan out of the line-up is to let the younger Diskerud and Corona start with Dempsey because Corona and Diskerud are perhaps more more likely to play quick passing combinations and play final balls for Jozy Altidore or Clint Dempsey.
Here is a USA XI with Donovan starting on the right wing:
At this point, it seems necessary to start DeAndre Yedlin at right back with Fabian Johnson at left back. This is no better option, unless Klinsmann is going to call up Chris Klute and Greg Garza to the roster and toss them into the fire of the World Cup by getting them ready in the three games leading up to the World Cup.
Using Brad Evans, Michael Parkhurst, or DaMarcus Beasley doesn’t put the USA in the best position to use the best two-way outside backs available to the United States. Using Yedlin and Johnson gives the USMNT fast outside backs with good technical ability plus the tools needed to keep pace with World Cup attackers and force them wide.
Geoff Cameron is needed in the center of the defense over Omar Gonzalez. Cameron is a better defender and player because his marking, tackling, and technical skill are better than Gonzalez’s, in addition to being a much, much faster, quicker, and more agile player. Cameron is also a tireless runner in a tall and athletic frame, and he’s as strong in the air as with the ball at his feet. His two-footed ability will be very useful in tight spaces in the back with limited time afforded on the ball against World Cup attackers.
World Soccer Source selected Michael Orozco over Matt Besler who has become a favorite of Jürgen Klinsmann, the American soccer media, and the American soccer fan base. As a personal opinion, this author commends Besler but finds Orozco to be a better and more athletic defender with more quickness. Besler is fast, but Orozco is a also fast while being quicker and more agile and mobile. Besler is also fairly one-footed compared to Orozco. Orozco isn’t a guarantee of elite World Cup defending but he is a center back who has excelled in Mexico for several years, and no observer really doubts his defending, skill, or quickness.
Jozy Altidore was selected over Aron Jóhannsson who is a more technical player than Altidore, but Altidore is also technical, plus he stretches the defense and is an incredible athlete. Altidore’s technical ability has skyrocketed from his early days with the USMNT. With Juan Agudelo a fringe roster pick, World Soccer Source backs Altidore, but Agudelo is the most talented and the most dangerous American striker in the pool.
The Michael Bradley-Jermaine Jones defensive midfield partnership concerns people (with good reason), so here is a similar USA XI with Maurice Edu taking Jermaine Jones’ spot.
Clint Dempsey (left) and Jozy Altidore (right). (Photo: AP)
By: COLIN REESE
Several weeks ago, World Soccer Source proposed a 30-man USA Provisional World Cup roster, which is the roster national teams are allowed to select before cutting their World Cup roster down to 23 players, but this article will focus on Jürgen Klinsmann’s likely camp selections, which differ greatly from World Soccer Source’s preferences.
Differing opinions about players, coaches, and tactics are the nature of soccer and any sport.
Klinsmann is allowed to select 30 players for his pre-World Cup roster, and this writer will list 30 players for simplicity’s sake.
Without any excess information, below are 30 American players that Klinsmann could call up to the pre-World Cup camp based on his previous preferences:
GOALKEEPERS
Tim HOWARD, Brad GUZAN, Nick RIMANDO
DEFENDERS
Geoff CAMERON, Matt BESLER, Omar GONZALEZ, Clarence GOODSON, Michael OROZCO, John BROOKS, Fabian JOHNSON, DaMarcus BEASLEY, Michael PARKHURST, DeAndre YEDLIN
MIDFIELDERS
Michael BRADLEY, Jermaine JONES, Landon DONOVAN, Graham ZUSI, Alejandro BEDOYA, Julian GREEN, Maurice EDU, Kyle BECKERMAN, Mix DISKERUD, Joe CORONA, Luis GIL
FORWARDS
Clint DEMPSEY, Jozy ALTIDORE, Juan AGUDELO, Aron JÓHANNSSON, Eddie JOHNSON, Terrence BOYD
Who does World Soccer Source think should be selected to the 30-man USA pre-World Cup roster right now?
Based on the belief that many of the best American players have been underused or untapped by Jürgen Klinsmann, despite these players proving themselves on the club or international level, World Soccer Source favors the following 30-man pre-World Cup roster:
GOALKEEPERS
Tim HOWARD, Brad GUZAN, Nick RIMANDO
DEFENDERS
Geoff CAMERON, Michael OROZCO, Shane O’NEILL, Chris SCHULER, Andrew FARRELL, John BROOKS, Fabian JOHNSON, DeAndre YEDLIN, Chris KLUTE, Kofi SARKODIE, Greg GARZA
MIDFIELDERS
Clint DEMPSEY, Michael BRADLEY, Landon DONOVAN, Benny FEILHABER, Jermaine JONES, Joe CORONA, Mix DISKERUD, Maurice EDU, Benji JOYA, Julian GREEN, Dillon POWERS
FORWARDS
Jozy ALTIDORE, Juan AGUDELO, Aron JÓHANNSSON, Eddie JOHNSON, Terrence BOYD
Joe Corona (left center) and Michael Bradley (right center). (Photo: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)
By: COLIN REESE
World Soccer Source backs eight midfielders for the World Cup roster, and these eight midfielders are limited to players with a reasonable chance of being selected by Jürgen Klinsmann, which likely excludes Benny Feilhaber.
Given his skill, form, and experience, Feilhaber is still a possible though unlikely selection for the 2014 World Cup.
With the caveat that Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu are both midfielders and center backs and with the caveat that Cameron is listed as a defender, here are the eight USMNT midfielders that World Soccer Source backs for the World Cup supported by explanations.
Below are three defensive midfielders and five attacking midfielders:
Neymar will be Brazil’s biggest star in the World Cup (Photo: Getty Images)
By: COLIN REESE
Unlike Dunga or Mano Menezes, a Brazilian coach of Felipão’s success and knowledge can be trusted to pick the very best Brazilian roster available to him.
World Soccer Source has previously proposed 23-man Seleção rosters that mostly mirror Felipão’s picks with a few exceptions that are this writer’s personal preferences, but the roster prediction below is an attempt to guess the actual Seleção for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The main position that is a question mark is the Number 9 or first striker position, as only Fred (when healthy) appears to be the clear-cut first-choice Number 9 for Felipão and Brazil.
Furthermore, it is unclear whether or not any of the following three players will make the roster: Ronaldinho, Kaká, and Robinho. Robinho was actually included on the Panini strickers for the 2014 Brazil World Cup roster.
On a final note, Lucas is another player that may or may not be included on the World Cup roster.
Most of Felipão’s player preferences are well-known by anyone who follows the Seleção, but there are still some uncertainties.
Below is World Soccer Source’s best guess at the 23-man Seleção World Cup roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Júlio CÉSAR (Toronto FC), VICTOR (Atlético Mineiro), JEFFERSON (Botafogo)
CENTER BACKS (4): THIAGO SILVA (Paris Saint-Germain), DAVID LUIZ (Chelsea), DANTE (Bayern Munich), DEDÉ (Cruzeiro)
RIGHT BACKS (2): DANIEL ALVES (Barcelona), MAICON (Roma)
LEFT BACKS (2): MARCELO (Real Madrid), ADRIANO (Barcelona)
The USMNT Back Four that Jürgen Klinsmann has in his mind is anyone’s guess. It was Brad Evans, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, and DaMarcus Beasley, but Klinsmann looks to be changing his mind.
Klinsmann has given indications that either Geoff Cameron or John Brooks could replace Omar Gonzalez, and the coach of the United States is also likely to start Fabian Johnson at left back or right back, especially given his preference to start Alejandro Bedoya/Graham Zusi, Clint Dempsey, and Landon Donovan as the line of three attacking midfielders.
The United States seems to be getting DeAndre Yedlin ready for the World Cup since he played in the last two USA friendlies in the United States. Tony Beltran started over Yedlin in the game against Mexico, but this was probably to give Beltran one last look before inching closer to putting the young Yedlin on the World Cup roster.
An argument can be made that perhaps DeAndre Yedlin, Geoff Cameron, Matt Besler, and Fabian Johnson may be the Back Four that is currently the frontrunner for use in the 2014 World Cup.
Below is World Soccer Source’s Best Seleção XI for the 2014 World Cup. Two positions (right back and right wing) differ from Felipão’s first choices.
Brazil’s Starting XI is well-known, but World Soccer Source’s version offers a few changes along with some comments and observations about each Starting XI spot.
Here is Brazil’s Best XI for the 2014 World Cup:
GOALKEEPER: Júlio CÉSAR (Toronto FC)
Júlio César is still the best Brazilian goalkeeper, and the concerns over his form are overrated. Júlio César always seems to play well for O Canarinho.
RIGHT BACK: MAICON (Roma)
Daniel Alves is a phenomenal right back that is everyone’s pick as the starting right back for Brazil. World Soccer Source favors Maicon, nicknamed “The Colossus.” Maicon the Marauder is an absolute beast of a right back who is a better defender than Daniel Alves. Maicon bombs down the sideline with even more conviction than Daniel Alves, and The Colossus is more effective at sprinting straight through and around defenses. Maicon is a creature of the outside of the right foot that only scores golaços.
CENTER BACK: THIAGO SILVA (PSG)
The best center back in the world. Thiago Silva is nicknamed O Monstro (The Monster). “Monster” is a term frequently used in Brazil to describe phenomenal footballers, but Thiago Silva is “The Monster.”
CENTER BACK: DAVID LUIZ (Chelsea)
Dante of Bayern Munich has a bone to pick here, but David Luiz is a fantastic center back (also a defensive midfielder) that ran amok during the 2013 Confederations Cup. Easily one of the top five center backs in the world, and he’s used to playing with Thiago Silva.
LEFT BACK: MARCELO (Real Madrid)
Marcelo, along with David Alaba and Philipp Lahm (who plays on both sides and as a defensive midfielder), is the best left back in the world. Marcelo used to be one-footed but not for a few years now. Marcelo is excellent at collecting the ball out of the back and immediately torching opponents down the sideline. Marcelo scores goals as well. Marcelo’s speed is almost unmatched in world soccer.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: LUIZ GUSTAVO (Wolfsburg)
Fernandinho has a strong case for this spot. Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo have strong chemistry, and Luiz Gustavo is a true defensive midfielder unlike Fernandinho who is more of a box-to-box midfielder. Luiz Gustavo is a disciplined defensive midfielder who stays deep without exposing his back line by making attacking forays. The left-footed player is an excellent tackler and defender who plays his position like it’s supposed to be played. Luiz Gustavo allows Paulinho or Ramires the freedom to roam and attack.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: PAULINHO (Tottenham)
Paulinho isn’t necessarily better than Ramires who brings so much skill, defending, non-stop running, and some ridiculously good goals. Maybe Brazil should start Paulinho and Ramires together with no midfield destroyer like Luiz Gustavo. Paulinho and Ramires are pretty equal, but Paulinho has been used more frequently by Brazil. Paulinho and Ramires are an embarrassment of riches at the central midfielder position. Two excellent footballers with no weaknesses.
RIGHT WING: WILLIAN (Chelsea)
Hulk is the actual Felipão starter at this position, but Willian has been torching people for Chelsea with incredible two-footed skill and electrifying speed and quickness, and for World Soccer Source, the Brazilian winger is just way too good to not start.
NUMBER 10: OSCAR (Chelsea)
A few years ago, Ganso seemed destined for this role, but then Oscar emerged and blew every Brazilian playmaker away. Oscar is the clear starter for Brazil, and the Chelsea playmaker is a goal-scoring playmaker who combines very well with Neymar. Neymar and Oscar communicate telepathically. Neymar wears the Number 10 jersey, but Oscar is the Number 10. Oscar was dubbed “OSCRAQUE” by Neymar.
LEFT WING: NEYMAR (Barcelona)
Arguably the world’s best player, Neymar is a one-man show that delivers in the big games with dribbling, passing, and amazing goals. The best Brazilian since Ronaldinho. Neymar’s career could eclipse Lionel Messi’s, even if the stats don’t.
STRIKER: FRED (Fluminense)/JÔ (Atlético Mineiro)/LEANDRO DAMIÃO (Santos)
Take your pick.
Fred is the first-choice Number 9 for Brazil by default, but Leandro Damião and Jô are quite good in their own right. The most talented, the fastest, and the most ruthless Brazilian Number 9 is still the young Pato who is a very dark horse contender for the Seleção roster. Fred is an excellent striker even by Brazilian standards, but Pato is a prodigy.
Landon Donovan (10) and Clint Dempsey (8). (Photo: MexSport)
By: COLIN REESE
Jürgen Klinsmann has been making changes and rethinking his United States Men’s National Team XIs and his roster selections.
Nevertheless, this is World Soccer Source’s best guess of the USA XI for the World Cup including two players that are possible starters based on this writer’s educated guess that Tab Ramos might be able to convince Klinsmann to start them: DeAndre Yedlin and Joe Corona.
Players like Tim Howard, Geoff Cameron, Matt Besler, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore all feature on World Soccer Source’s predicted USA XI.
Given a fair shot during the May camp, Yedlin can win the starting right back spot, and Corona can win the starting Number 10 spot, thus pushing Dempsey to his natural left wing position.
Without further ado, below is World Soccer Source’s predicted USA XI (in a 4-2-3-1 formation) with the two dark horse starters, which were described above:
Here is World Soccer Source’s best guess at Jürgen Klinsmann’s 23-man USA World Cup roster, but keep in mind that Klinsmann has publicly stated that he will be selecting 30 players for the May Camp to try out for the 23 World Cup roster spots.
GOALKEEPERS (3):Tim HOWARD, Brad GUZAN, Nick RIMANDO
Jürgen Klinsmann’s goalkeeper selections are common knowledge.
DEFENDERS (8):Geoff CAMERON, Matt BESLER, Michael OROZCO, John BROOKS, Fabian JOHNSON, DaMarcus BEASLEY, Michael PARKHURST, DeAndre YEDLIN
Only DeAndre Yedlin, Michael Orozco, and John Brooks are very debatable here. Klinsmann clearly rates Orozco at center back, and after the 2-2 friendly tie with Mexico, Klinsmann cited both Cameron and Brooks by name as center backs that he’d consider trying with Matt Besler.
MIDFIELDERS (8):Michael BRADLEY, Jermaine JONES, Landon DONOVAN, Graham ZUSI, Maurice EDU, Mix DISKERUD, Joe CORONA, Julian GREEN
Maurice Edu and Joe Corona are the debatable names here.
Maybe Klinsmann considers Edu a player that should be listed as a defender, and maybe he rates Kyle Beckerman higher than Edu.
Alejandro Bedoya is the player that seems to be ahead of Joe Corona based on national team appearances, but Klinsmann clearly holds Corona in high esteem as he should given his club and international performances. Corona plays on either wing and as a Number 10.
FORWARDS (4): Clint DEMPSEY, Jozy ALTIDORE, Aron JÓHANNSSON, Juan AGUDELO
Juan Agudelo is fighting a silent war with Terrence Boyd, Eddie Johnson, and Chris Wondolowski for the final Number 9 spot (Dempsey is a second striker or attacking midfielder).
Agudelo is a better and more lethal striker than Boyd and Johnson, while still bringing excellent athleticism and size.
The USMNT needs Joe Corona as a Number 10 or wing. (Photo: George Frey/Getty Images )
By: COLIN REESE
There’s a trend in the American soccer media to write that any opinions about the United States Men’s National Team except for Jürgen Klinsmann’s are irrelevant.
This writer has never seen such a phenomenon in any sports writing about other sports in the United States or in any soccer writing in other countries.
The first thing the Brazilian press does when the Seleção rosters are announced is ask the coach why certain players were excluded or included.
If Jürgen Klinsmann’s opinions about players and tactics for the USMNT were so set in stone and knowable, then why did he fire Martín Vasquez?
The coach of the United States said that he would be selecting 30 players for the May Try-Out Camp for the World Cup roster because he wasn’t certain about which 23 players that he would select for the final roster.
There are clearly many decisions still being made about players and tactics.
World Soccer Source is assuming Michael Orozco (center back and outside back) and Maurice Edu (defensive midfielder and center back) will make the World Cup roster, so then the United States will still need some key players to field a strong Starting XI and to form a strong 23-man roster.
For World Soccer Source, here are those five needed fringe players:
