American Soccer

Selecting a USA Copa America Centenario squad (April 2016)

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Selecting a USA Copa America squad (April 2016)

If you’re a fan of the U.S. Men’s National Team, then you should be concerned about how good the competition will be in the Copa America Centenario. Whether or not Lionel Messi, Luís Suárez, or Neymar play, most of the national teams are much better than the United States. The United States have a decent national team with certain players who are much better than the rest of the team, but with the best American footballers playing together, the United States can play better than ever under Jürgen Klinsmann’s tenure as coach.

In the last World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, Klinsmann made sure to not field an unbalanced lineup with players out of position, and several players like DeAndre Yedlin and Steve Birnbaum proved to be improvements to previous players at their positions. This is something positive for the United States. With Geoff Cameron partnering with Birnbaum in the center of the defense, the American defense looks more technical and less porous.

I’ve always contended that Klinsmann doesn’t ever have a first team in mind with substitutes for each position, and this causes him to select a roster that has too many players for some positions and not enough for others.

Looking at the American player pool and recent U.S. games, it is possible to propose a decent 23-man roster starting with the goalkeepers and on down to the center forwards.

Goalkeepers

Brad Guzan, William Yarbrough, David Bingham

Brad Guzan is the Number 1 right now as he’s younger than Howard and playing regularly in the EPL. The second-choice goalkeeper should be William Yarbrough who has performed solidly for the United States when given the chance, plus he’s a starting goalkeeper in Liga MX. Yarbrough is a reliable goalkeeper that’s good with his hands and feet, and he’s in good form. Maybe some of the other goalkeepers in the pool are just as good or better, but Yarbrough is a wise choice here. David Bingham looks like the third goalkeeper for now. He has been widely praised for his play in MLS. Clint Irwin has a case here as well.

Defenders

Center Backs (4): Geoff Cameron, Steve Birnbaum, John Brooks, Matt Miazga

Right Backs (2): DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson

Left Backs (2): Brek Shea, Jorge Villafaña

Cameron and Birnbaum seem like the best center back options right now, but Matt Miazga and John Brooks are quality center backs that also bring the combination of skill, athleticism, and defending. Let’s not forget the Miazga is on Chelsea’s roster, and Brooks is a proven Bundesliga center back who is a frequent scapegoat for USA fans.

If you follow American soccer, then the outside backs are self-explanatory. With two right backs and two left backs listed, this group is already better than Klinsmann’s normal treatment of outside backs as an afterthought. Yedlin and Johnson are the best starting options, but there is some concern that Johnson doesn’t always look like he has the stamina to track back on defense. Shea normally looks like he has more energy to chase down attackers out wide. Johnson is a much better winger than outside back, but he’s needed here on the roster to fit in the midfielders needed below.

Midfielders

Defensive Midfielders (4): Michael Bradley, Perry Kitchen, Fatai Alashe, Kellyn Acosta

Attacking Midfielders (4): Dillon Powers, Darlington Nagbe, Sebastian Lletget, Christian Pulisic

The midfielders included here are essentially two defensive midfielders, two box-to-box midfielders, two attacking midfielders, and two wings (Ethan Finlay listed in the forwards is a winger by trade as well and Sebastian Lletget is really a Number 10). With these eight midfielders, the American roster actually has the personnel needed to field a balanced and effective three or four-man midfield. Fatai Alashe and Kellyn Acosta are great examples of how Bradley is needed more as the defensive midfielder instead of the box-to-box midfielder which is where these two thrive, and Klinsmann rates both of them. Kitchen is a true Number 6, and he has shown himself to be a player with the requisite athleticism and skill-set to play the defensive midfielder role at the international level. Dillon Powers hasn’t been used by Klinsmann before, but can anyone who follows American soccer really doubt this player?  One area where American soccer has improved is the arrival of midfielders like Powers who have a higher baseline of skill than most of the American players before them. For this writer, Sebastian Lletget is too talented to leave off. Lletget has really stood out in the American player pool as a talented, technical, and creative attacking player that can really play. The LA Galaxy midfielder/forward is a true Number 10 that can play wide or centrally and combine with talented players like Dempsey. Lletget is a goal-scoring playmaker with good vision and creativity, and the U.S. really needs those qualities. Lletget also plays as a second striker. During the month of April Christian Pulisic has proven to be a real talent for Borussia Dortmund. This player is much more than hype, as the Bundesliga player has displayed individual skill, quickness, and creativity against strong European club competition.

 

Forwards

Second Strikers (2): Clint Dempsey, Ethan Finlay

Center Forwards (2): Juan Agudelo, Rubio Rubin

With Juan Agudelo and Rubio Rubin as the center forwards, World Soccer Source is picking the skill and dynamism of those two over the familiarity with seeing Jozy Altidore’s name always on the team sheet. Altidore is a capable Number 9, but Agudelo and Rubin bring more skill and activity to the head of the attack. Ethan Finlay is needed to play as a second striker or as a wing on either side. Finlay brings plenty of passing ability and speed to the attack, and he also knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Clint Dempsey is still the undisputed best American player, and he’s needed to score and lead the attack.

 

Article Updated on April 29, 2016

The Top 20 American Soccer Players (April 2016)

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The Top 20 American Soccer Players (April 2016)

In this publication’s opinion, Clint Dempsey has been the best American soccer player since 2006/2007. No offense to Landon Donovan, but Dempsey has a much stronger resume with a higher level of technical skill and mental toughness than Donovan had.

Nevertheless, ranking the best American soccer players involves figuring out who goes after the Texas gunslinger, Deuce Dempsey.

Here are the rankings:

1. Clint Dempsey – Forward – Seattle Sounders

2. Michael Bradley – Midfielder – Toronto FC

3. Fabian Johnson – Midfielder/Defender – Borussia Monchengladbach

4. Geoff Cameron – Defender/Midfielder – Stoke City

5. Benny Feilhaber – Midfielder – Sporting Kansas City

6. Jozy Altidore – Forward – Toronto FC

7. Juan Agudelo – Forward – New England Revolution

8. Darlington Nagbe – Midfielder – Portland Timbers

9. Lee Nguyen – Midfielder – New England Revolution

10. DeAndre Yedlin – Outside Back – Tottenham/Sunderland

11. Charlie Davies – Forward – New England Revolution

12. Brad Guzan – Goalkeeper – Aston Villa

13. John Brooks – Defender – Hertha Berlin

14. Rubio Rubin – Forward – Utrecht

15. Sebastian Lletget – Forward/Midfielder – LA Galaxy

16. Kelyn Rowe – Midfielder – New England Revolution

17.Dillon Powers – Midfielder – Colorado Rapids

18. Alejandro Bedoya – Midfielder – Nantes

19. Kellyn Acosta – Midfielder – FC Dallas

20. Fatai Alashe – Midfielder – San Jose Earthquakes

The Best USMNT XI (April 2016)

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The Best United States Men’s National Team XI (April 2016)

With the Copa America Centennario coming up this summer, Jürgen Klinsmann should continue to use more appropriate lineups like the one he used against CONCACAF minnows Guatemala. Using players out of position needs to be a thing of the past for Klinsmann.

Against Guatemala, the United States started a defense composed of DeAndre Yedlin at right back, Geoff Cameron and Steve Birnbaum at the center back spots, and Edgar Castillo at left back. Left back continues to be a position without a clear best option, but certainly Yedlin, Cameron, and Birnbaum are all qualified and capable of manning the other three positions in the defense.

Both Cameron and Birnbaum looked comfortable on the ball and defensively solid, and both center backs bring the level of athleticism needed to perform at the international level, especially against soccer’s giants in South America. Yedlin too looked strong and comfortable, and the young right back finally looks like the clear best option at that position.

Klinsmann started Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, and Graham Zusi in the midfield, and certainly Beckerman and Zusi are a level below Bradley. Beckerman is a trustworthy defensive midfielder, but he’s always been on the slow side. Now in his mid-thirties, it’s time to have a quicker defensive midfielder starting.

Bradley is a born defensive midfielder, and something of a prototypical defensive midfielder. Surely, starting Bradley at the defensive midfielder spot in a midfield three is the best choice for Klinsmann and the United States.

Darlington Nagbe thrived in MLS in a box-to-box role, and he has been a standout in his several appearances with the national team. Using Bradley and Nagbe as two of the three midfielders is really a no-brainer.

The third midfield spot could go to Lee Nguyen as the attacking midfielder or perhaps going with Dillon Powers of the Colorado Rapids as a combo Number 8/attacking midfielder would serve the best interest of the national team. Both Nagbe and Powers are two-way midfielders with the vision and passing ability to set up goals, so starting them with Bradley would make a lot of sense for the United States.

If Klinsmann elects to use the 4-3-3 formation, then the lineup needs three forwards with Clint Dempsey being the one on the left.

The center forward spot could go to Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, or Juan Agudelo, but Charlie Davies is a capable and proven center forward too.

On the right wing, Fabian Johnson or Ethan Finlay fit the bill, and Sebastian Lletget is also worth trying for multiple games. The L.A. Galaxy attacking midfielder has proven his ability to play quick, one-to-two touch soccer with the likes of Robbie Keane, so he is more than capable of combining with the likes of Clint Dempsey and whoever the center forward is. Lletget is too talented of an attacking midfielder to leave off the roster and starting lineup.

The type of lineup outlined above is just like Klinsmann’s most recent lineup, but there are several changes. One has to think that after Klinsmann finally came under widespread criticism about his lineups and tactics that he will be less likely to field another bizarre lineup with multiple players out of position.

The German still hasn’t done an excellent job in selecting the right players for his 23-man rosters, but perhaps a more defined lineup concept will guide his future selections. With a starting lineup in mind, Klinsmann merely has to select 11 second-choice options plus an additional goalkeeper.

The smart money would be on betting that Klinsmann won’t continue to utilize questionable tactics that insult the intelligence of American soccer fans and the media. With this change something of a guarantee, the United States should begin to display more team chemistry and more collective skill as things aren’t in so much turmoil.

The big question remaining about Klinsmann is will he continue to recycle the same group of players. Klinsmann has a bad habit of dropping and reintroducing the same players into the pool rather than testing out new ones who have more or less proven their capabilities.

Going forward, Dillon Powers, Kelyn Rowe, Jorge Villafaña, and Sebastian Lletget stand out as names that Klinsmann needs to bring in, but Klinsmann deserves credit for brining in Kellyn Acosta, Fatai Alashe, and Will Trapp. Those seven players are all players that this writer considers worthy of national team spots right now, and Klinsmann has introduced some of them into the team.

As a next step, Klinsmann would be wise to make some four lineup changes: Edgar Castillo, Kyle Beckerman, Graham Zusi, and Gyasi Zardes. As replacements for those four spots, the following players fit the bill: Villafaña at left back, Powers and Nagbe in the midfield, and Johnson or Finlay at right wing.

World Soccer Source sees something like this lineup as the logical next step for the U.S. Men’s National Team: Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Birnbaum, Villafaña; Powers, Bradley, Nagbe; Lletget, Agudelo, Dempsey.

How the U.S. National Team looks after the January friendlies

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After the January friendlies and recent club play, there’s a clearer picture of the best United States Men’s National Team lineup.

Tim Howard or Brad Guzan is an automatic starter in goal, and Geoff Cameron and John Brooks have to be considered the two starting center backs.

At the fullback spots, Kellyn Acosta and Jorge Villafaña have separated themselves. Acosta played left back in the recent friendlies, but right back is the position where the national team needs him most.

Villafaña enjoyed an outstanding MLS season at left back for the Portland Timbers, and his play earned him a promotion to a better team in a better league. Villafaña now plays for Santos Laguna in La Liga MX.

One huge benefit of the defense outlined above is that all five players are actually deployed in the correct position and the position where they are enjoying good form.

Midfielders Darlington Nagbe and Lee Nguyen have displayed their technical qualities in recent months (and for years before), and starting these two midfielders with Bradley would be an inspired choice. Three technical midfielders are just what the doctor ordered for the United States. The alternative is to continue to do nothing to attempt to improve the lack of enough technical ability in the midfield.

Bradley anchoring the American midfield as the defensive midfielder or central midfielder or whatever name you want to use is frankly a no-brainer. Using Bradley as an attacking midfielder is a waste of half of his skill-set and his engine. He was born to anchor the American midfield.

If the United States elects to go with the 4-3-3 formation, then all that’s left is the attacking trident made up of two wings and a center forward. For much of his career, Clint Dempsey played on the left side of the attack or midfield, and there’s no reason he can’t play as the left forward in the American attack.

Fabian Johnson’s form is too good in the Bundesliga right now to not start, so Johnson deserves that right wing starting spot.

Leading the line as the center forward should be Jozy Altidore (with Juan Agudelo deserving strong consideration). Altidore has frequently been starved for service at striker, and Altidore has become a more active and complete striker in recent years. During the January friendlies, Altidore displayed a leaner and lighter frame which can only help the extremely muscular Altidore. There’s nothing wrong with being lighter, leaner, and more agile.

Just starting the most deserving players won’t fix the United States’ problems without some continuity and chemistry. There’s nothing wrong with making adjustments to the lineup as the coach sees fit, but continuing to completely shuffle around the lineup will slow down the U.S.’ progress.

Going into World Cup qualifying, here again is that lineup that could improve the United States’ play: Guzan; Acosta, Cameron, Brooks, Villafaña; Nagbe, Bradley, Nguyen; Johnson, Altidore, Dempsey.

Where Should Darlington Nagbe Play for the USMNT?

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What’s Darlington Nagbe’s best position for the United States Men’s National Team? Is there really only one?

Darlington Nagbe thrived this past season in Major League Soccer as a central midfielder, but his skill-set and qualities allow him to be a game-changer in multiple positions. Nagbe played his best when he was able to get lots of touches on the ball with lots of freedom to move. Whether he plays as a box-to-box midfielder or as some sort of forward, Nagbe just needs freedom to play the game as he sees fit. Even as an outside forward or wing in a 4-3-3, he could drop into the midfield to recover possession and collect the ball. Starting Nagbe either as a midfielder or forward is more important that ensuring that he is started in the Number 8 role.

Michael Bradley is certainly a more defensive player than Nagbe, so having Bradley in the lineup frees Nagbe up to be more offensive while still being able to contribute defensively.

A 4-3-3 formation would suit the United States well, and Nagbe’s qualities make him suited to play in the midfield or in the attack. If Clint Dempsey and Fabian Johnson are playing in the Front Three with Jozy Altidore or some other striker, then this makes the midfield the best spot for Nagbe. If Mix Diskerud (or some other attacking midfielder) and a defensive midfielder are lining up with Bradley in the midfield then one of the outside forward spots is best for Nagbe. These outside forward spots are positions that afford plenty of freedom of movement, and of course Lionel Messi and Neymar play these positions for Barcelona where they drop into the midfield all the time.

Nagbe is most influential when he is heavily involved in the game, and Jürgen Klinsmann would be wise to make him a starter for the United States. Formations and tactics are certainly important, but special attacking players have always been given plenty of freedom.

All Nagbe needs is plenty of touches, and the United States needs him involved in the attack whether as a midfielder or a forward. Nagbe is also the logical choice to play Dempsey’s role when Dempsey isn’t playing, so Nagbe will have to work on his finishing to score as much as Dempsey.

For right now, a Front Six with  Diskerud, Bradley, and Nagbe, behind Johnson, Altidore,  and Dempsey seems as good as any, so it’s not hard to see Nagbe fitting into the lineup of a full-strength United States.

Although Nagbe did play as a Number 8 for the Portland Timbers, it’s easy to see how Nagbe is more of an offensive midfielder when compared to Michael Bradley or even the young Kellyn Acosta. Nagbe is much more of a complete player than just someone that needs to play the same role for the national team as his club team to succeed.

Whether he is more of a central midfielder or a forward, Nagbe can be a reference point and game-changing player for the United States.

The Top 25 American Soccer Players (December 2015)

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The Top 25 American Soccer Players (December 2015)

1. Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)

2. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)

3. Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City)

4. Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach)

5. Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)

6. Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)

7. Tim Howard (Everton)

8. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)

9. Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)

10. Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)

11. Mix Diskerud (NYC FC)

12. DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)

13.  Charlie Davies (New England Revolution)

14. Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)

15. John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)

16. Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution)

17. Rubio Rubin (Utrecht)

18. Bobby Wood (FC Union Berlin)

19. Sebastian Lletget (Los Angeles Galaxy)

20. Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)

21. Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew)

22. Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids)

23. Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls)

24. Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna)

25. Will Trapp (Columbus Crew)

 

USMNT Positional Battles in the American Player Pool

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Despite being a national team that is criticized for lacking technical quality and game-changing creativity or skill, the United States Men’s National Team has enough depth in the player pool to have real positional battles.

Consider the center of the American defense, an area where the United States has been destroyed by quality opposition. It’s unclear what the best center back pairing is for the U.S. Is it Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler, or is Maurice Edu paired with Cameron a stronger partnership?

Edu and Cameron have really only been partnered on one occasion, but with these two players an argument can be made that they have all the club and international experience and skills needed to perform well when the better national teams play the United States. Omar Gonzalez and Besler don’t have any notable performances against elite attackers, but Edu and Cameron have much stronger club and international playing resumes. Edu has played all over Europe and in the Champions League, and Cameron is an EPL veteran. Edu is still under 30, so it remains a mystery why Edu and Cameron haven’t been allowed to show what they can do, especially since Cameron can play left center back well due to his skill with both feet.

There are other center backs in the player pool that warrant a serious look, and these center backs include Matt Hedges, Steve Birnbaum, Matt Miazga, and Andrew Farrell amongst others. Birnbaum and Hedges are left-footed and thus naturally-suited to play left center back, whereas Miazga and Farrell are more suited to play right center back – although these right and left center back labels are slightly small-minded and limiting in the center of the defense where both players are by definition aligned centrally.

There are of course battles at the fullback positions as well. Jorge Villafaña has emerged as a quality left back this season in MLS, so much so that he now plays for Liga MX side Santos Laguna. Brek Shea, Chris Tierney, Robbie Rogers, and Chris Klute must also be considered for one of the two left back spots on the roster. As for the other side of the defense, DeAndre Yedlin and Eric Lichaj have a silent battle for the starting right back spot. Lichaj as been one of the bizarre omissions by Jürgen Klinsmann.

The midfield is where the biggest positional battles should be. Michael Bradley is best when used as a defensive midfielder, and the United States needs to see if Benny Feilhaber and Darlington Nagbe can partner well with Bradley as a three-man midfield. Both are underrated in their ball-recovery and work rate.

Kellyn Acosta is another technically-skilled and athletic central midfielder with a complete skill set and huge work rate. Acosta also has many game-changing elements in his game, which range from bursting runs through the midfield to two-footed goal-scoring ability from distance. Acosta would bring a level of skill and athleticism to the midfield that the U.S. has never really had. The FC Dallas midfielder is even several levels above MLS-standout Dax McCarty as far as skill and athleticism go. Starting both Nagbe and Feilhaber over Acosta might make the American midfield too easy to penetrate and boss around.

There hasn’t been any movement in the media or fan base to start Acosta for the national team or even call him up, and this is a mystery. Perhaps too many people cling to experience as if it’s a guarantee for greater success.

What about some of the wingers in the pool? How will they fit in, and where should they play? Sebastian Lletget, Ethan Finlay, Fabian Johnson, and Kelyn Rowe are all international-caliber players, and they need to be incorporated into the roster and tested. The U.S. National Team needs to find out which wingers can help the team the most. If the team uses a 4-3-3 formation, then there are spots on the right and left wing in the attack, but Clint Dempsey should occupy one of those spots for a few more years.

Another battle is the battle for the center forward or Number 9 spot. Who should be the striker? Jozy Altidore has never been given enough service or enough quality service. It’s not good enough to just hit passes up in Altidore’s general vicinity. There is a real question of whether or not Altidore is better than Juan Agudelo and Rubio Rubin. Agudelo is likely the best striker in the pool because he has an arsenal of skills, creativity, and trickery that other American strikers don’t have. Agudelo can beat defenders off the dribble or score bicycle kicks or towering headers. Agudelo causes more problems for defenses, and he requires closer marking.

The best way to answer all of these positional questions is to systematically test out the best players vying for theses various starting spots without changing the whole lineup at the same time, and Jürgen Klinsmann is simply unwilling or incapable of doing this. If the United States wants to find its best players and its best chemistry, then the best and most proven players need to be played together while new players are tested out.

Right now, the main questions are the following:

Can Feilhaber, Bradley, and Nagbe form a viable three-man midfield?

Are Cameron and Besler a capable center back pairing, or should Edu and Cameron be tried for a while?

Who should be the starting fullbacks: Yedlin and Villafaña?

Is Agudelo a better center forward than Altidore, and does Agudelo play better with Dempsey ?

Is Fabian Johnson, Agudelo, and Dempsey the best attacking trident if the 4-3-3 formation is used or should Finlay and Lletget start somewhere in the Front Three?

Those are the main questions, but these are the main positional battles:

Wingers- Sebastian Lletget vs. Ethan Finlay vs. Kelyn Rowe vs. José Villarreal

Attacking Midfielder- Benny Feilhaber vs. Darlington Nagbe vs. Lee Nguyen vs. Sebastian Lletget vs. Luis Gil

Central Midfielders- Benny Feilhaber vs. Darlington Nagbe vs. Dillon Powers vs. Kellyn Acosta vs. Dax McCarty

Defensive Midfielders- Michael Bradley vs. Maurice Edu vs. Kellyn Acosta vs. Dax McCarty vs. Perry Kitchen vs. Victor Ulloa

Left Backs- Jorge Villafaña vs. Chris Klute vs. Brek Shea vs. Robbie Rogers vs. Chris Tierney

Left Center Backs- John Brooks vs. Matt Besler vs. Matt Hedges vs. Steve Birnbaum

Right Center Backs- Maurice Edu vs. Omar Gonzalez vs. Andrew Farrell vs. Matt Miazga vs. Zach Loyd

Right Backs- Eric Lichaj vs. DeAndre Yedlin vs. Kofi Sarkodie vs. London Woodberry

Goalkeepers- Clint Irwin vs. Bill Hamid vs. Luís Robles vs. Tally Hall

Who Should the USMNT Call Up in 2016?

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There may or may not be a U.S. Men’s National Team camp in January, but plenty of American players have made a case to be on the national team in 2016. For the first time in a long time, you can say that there are more deserving American players for a national team call-up than there are spots, and this isn’t going as far as to say that the player pool is full of world-class players.

Sebastian Lletget, Kellyn Acosta, Ethan Finlay, and Andrew Farrell lead the ranks of American players that deserve a call-up. Other players like Darlington Nagbe, Charlie Davies, Chris Klute, Rubio Rubin, and Juan Agudelo have already been invited to camps or given caps.

Leading the team as usual will be Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Tim Howard. Veterans like Geoff Cameron and Brad Guzan will also be among the first names on the list, and it’s time to recall Maurice Edu who plays as a defensive midfielder or center back. The National Team could really use another experienced central defender and central midfielder. In fact, a strong argument could be made that Edu-Cameron is the best American center back pairing at the moment, but where should Edu be listed on the roster: as a defender or as a midfielder?

This writer and this site has harped on the absence of a logical call-up system by Jürgen Klinsmann where the 23-man roster is selected by picking a first team and then the substitutes for each starter. This obvious system ensures that the roster isn’t too heavy or too light at certain positions, which has been a trademark of Klinsmann. If you read Toni Kroos’s recent comments about Klinsmann’s coaching and development abilities, then you can add his name to the list which includes Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller. The fact that the three most respected and complete current German footballers have major problems with Klinsmann’s coaching acumen speaks volumes.

Make no mistake about it. There is a problem with Klinsmann’s rosters and lineups, and pointing out better player options isn’t the same as saying that the American player pool is full of world-class talents. The talent out there is certainly capable of improving the overall play of the United States, and this doesn’t include tossing in some of the really inexperienced but undeniable talents such as Bradford Jamieson IV. If you wanted to really  take a chance on a player that might need some more club games before deserving a call-up, then that would be the American player to choose.

So, who should the U.S. Men’s National Team call up in 2016?

-Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers is the easiest position for the U.S. to fill. Tim Howard and Brad Guzan makes two goalkeepers, and only the third goalkeeper is needed. This writer backs Clint Irwin of the Colorado Rapids, but there are many other worthy options such as Zach Steffen, Luís Robles, and Bill Hamid amongst others. Irwin is arguably more fundamentally-sound while also being capable of making quick reflex saves with his hands and feet. Steffen is the real deal though.

-Defenders

Klinsmann has a history of not calling up two players for every position in the Back Four, and it’s not clear why this is the case. Four center backs, two right backs, and two left backs is absolutely required here with the exception that Edu plays center back and defensive midfielder just like Cameron.

Looking at center backs, Maurice Edu and Geoff Cameron should be on the list with John Brooks on there as well as a left center back. Although Matt Miazga has received more praise this season than Andrew Farrell, I would argue that Farrell is more vital to the team. Farrell is very hard to beat in a foot race, and his skill on the ball and 1v1 defending are well-documented. Miazga is a good defender already, but Farrell is harder to beat with speed or skill.  Farrell gives the team skill on the ball, speed, strength, positional sense, and lockdown 1v1 defending. Miazga is a taller and less quick player.

You could also say that Matt Besler or John Brooks is a toss up. There are no clear answers yet until the defenders are systematically tested as opposed to just switching up the partnerships all the time. Is Edu and Cameron better than Cameron-Besler or Farrell-Cameron? I have no idea.

As far as outside backs go, DeAndre Yedlin and Eric Lichaj have to be the right backs on the roster. There’s not enough evidence yet to suggest that anyone also should be here except for Fabian Johnson who plays better as a wing.

Left back continues to be a problem spot for the U.S. National Team. Jorge Villafaña stood out this year in MLS, and now he plays for the well-known Liga MX side Santos Laguna.

For the other left back, Chris Klute deserves a real chance. The U.S. cannot continue to have left backs that get beaten for pace and brutalized by good opposition, and Klute has world-class speed along with two-footed technical ability and strong defending. Klute has proven to be a true outside back in the sense that he is a fast, two-way player that attacks well and defends well. It’s worth noting that Klute is truly fast by any standard, rather than just being faster than other professional players.

Here is the list of defenders supported above listed in an organized fashion:

Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution, John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna), Chris Klute (Portland Timbers)

-Midfielders

Who should be the eight midfielders? I like Michael Bradley as a defensive midfielder, and for the second defensive midfielder I would choose Kellyn Acosta who also plays as a box-to-box midfielder. Both Bradley and Acosta play both holding or defensive midfielder positions.

Next I would select center midfielders. Dillon Powers and Darlington Nagbe are the other two center midfielders besides Bradley and Acosta that are the most complete and capable of international play. Nagbe’s transition to a central midfielder from an attacking midfielder or wing or second striker allow him to have the ball at his feet more and his speed is useful in recovering the ball in the midfield.

Powers is similar to Nagbe in that he can play either as a central midfielder or attacking midfielder, but Nagbe has an extra gear in the speed and creativity department. Powers is the type of skilled central midfielder that the National Team has been missing, and omitting him would be a mistake for a National Team with a weak and unskilled midfield.

As for attacking midfielders and wings, Benny Feilhaber, Sebastian Lletget, Ethan Finlay, and Fabian Johnson stand out, and Finlay and Johnson are keeping out Kelyn Rowe who plays as a wing or attacking midfielder (and who deserves to be on the National Team).

Feilhaber’s creativity and passing ability are well-known, and his work rate and engine have drastically increased over the past three seasons. His dead ball ability and chance creation are big pluses as well.

Lletget is a more technically-skilled and creative player than Finlay, but Finlay is a real talent that brings speed and the ability to score goals and set up goals. Finlay would also help the team as a second striker or outside forward. Lletget and Finlay would improve the attacking skill of the United States without a doubt.

-Forwards

Clint Dempsey has shown no real signs of slowing down or dropping in skill or form. Along with Dempsey, it seems wise to select Juan Agudelo and Rubio Rubin before Jozy Altidore. Whether Altidore has been given enough service or not, Agudelo and Rubin deserve enough games to show what they can do.

The fourth forward on the list should be Charlie Davies who brings so much athleticism and activity to the final third, and Davies is a proven goalscorer who scores with his feet and head. Altidore shouldn’t be written off or forgotten about, but Agudelo and Rubin are more skillful and more aggressive.

The idea that the center forward has to be super strong and super physical is really a prehistoric soccer mentality, especially when Agudelo and Rubin are pretty physical anyway.

Who World Soccer Source thinks should be on the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 23-man roster in 2016 (at least for now):

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Clint Irwin

Defenders: Maurice Edu, Geoff Cameron, Andrew Farrell, John Brooks, DeAndre Yedlin, Eric Lichaj, Jorge Villafaña, Chris Klute

Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Kellyn Acosta, Dillon Powers, Darlington Nagbe, Benny Feilhaber, Sebastian Lletget, Ethan Finlay, Fabian Johnson

Forwards: Clint Dempsey, Juan Agudelo, Rubio Rubin, Charlie Davies

USMNT Midfield Triangle: Bradley and Acosta holding, Nagbe creating

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In 2016, a midfield triangle with two holding midfielders and one attacking midfielder would serve the U.S. Men’s National Team well. This type of three-man midfield is a tried and true midfield formation.

Michael Bradley is a central midfielder that performs equally well as a defensive midfielder or as a box-to-box midfielder, but Darlington Nagbe is an attacking midfielder that also has good ball recovery ability and a good engine. Filling the last point on this hypothetical midfield triangle is Kellyn Acosta, the FC Dallas central midfielder that thrives as a box-to-box midfielder or as a defensive midfielder.

More so than with Bradley’s partnership with Jermaine Jones, Acosta is a midfielder that could potentially partner well with Bradley. Both players play both types of defensive midfielder roles, so covering for each other won’t be a problem. Bradley should play the deeper defensive midfielder role, but he has some freedom to go forward since Acosta will cover for him. Acosta has already displayed the willingness to play either holding midfielder role with FC Dallas.

If Bradley and Acosta are the base of the triangle as holding midfielders, then Nagbe is the creative top of the triangle. Nagbe is a smooth and technical player that brings lots of speed and non-stop running to the midfield. Nagbe’s ability to open up midfields and defenses with a pass or off the dribble is a needed dimension to the U.S. midfield. The fact that he runs so much and also drops deeper into the midfield can only help the U.S. to improve its passing and possession in the midfield.

The inclusion of Acosta and Nagbe should solve the problem of Bradley trying to be the team’s attacking midfielder and defensive midfielder at the same time. Bradley has been the player bursting into the penalty box behind the forwards and the player collecting the ball from the Back Four, and this is too much to ask of any player. With Acosta and Nagbe, the U.S. has a player to help Bradley recover possession and keep it, and the U.S. has a player to link the midfield with the attack.

Acosta is a key player in this triangle because he provides support to both Bradley and Nagbe, and he has the speed and skill to burst through the midfield and put the opposition on their heels. The FC Dallas midfielder has already displayed the willingness and ability to surge forward and score from outside of the box, and the U.S. needs more dynamism in its play.

The U.S. National Team must make changes in 2016, and a three-man midfield triangle with two holding midfielders at the base of the midfield with a creative point at the top of the triangle would be good tactics.

With Bradley, Acosta, and Nagbe the U.S. midfield would be a technical and athletic midfield that is also balanced. Using this midfield triangle could fix the U.S.’s problem of having no link-up with the attack and no possession in the midfield against quality opposition.

If Acosta doesn’t appear ready, then Dillon Powers can occupy the box-to-box midfielder role, but the U.S. National Team does have players to choose from that can keep possession and perform on the international level.

Rather than insisting on using so many players out of position, the U.S. National Team would be wise to use two holding midfielders with one attacking midfielder. Doing this requires making changes instead of just recycling the same group of midfielders that aren’t up to the job.

Midfield Formation Simplified:

Bradley———Acosta

———Nagbe———-

Three Improvements for the U.S. National Team in 2016

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Since the U.S. Men’s National Team has been having a major problem keeping possession and creating scoring chances, there is plenty to improve in 2016.

Here are three things the U.S. National Team can do to improve in 2016:

Play Michael Bradley as a defensive midfielder

Once Bradley has been named the team’s starting defensive midfielder, then two or three other midfielders can be chosen to play with him to improve the midfield’s possession problems.

If a three-man midfield is used, then a center midfielder and attacking midfielder can be penciled in to start. There is also the option of starting two other center midfielders with Bradley.

Looking at the American player pool, both Kellyn Acosta and Dillon Powers can start as the center midfielder with Bradley, and Benny Feilhaber, Darlington Nagbe, or Sebastian Lletget can be started as the attacking midfielder. Once Bradley’s position is settled as a defensive midfielder, then the National Team can find the best supporting class to help the team actually keep possession and look to dictate the game.

Include an attacking midfielder in the lineup

As discussed above, Feilhaber, Nagbe, and Lletget are all Number 10s or playmakers. Any of them can improve the U.S. National Team from going from no playmaking at all to at least some.

Feilhaber has been blackballed by Jürgen Klinsmann, but both Nagbe and Lletget can start at the same time. Whether a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation is used, Nagbe and Lletget can both start. In the 4-2-3-1, Nagbe and Lletget can be used in the line of three with Dempsey, and in the 4-3-3, Nagbe can be given a spot in the three-man midfield with Lletget given a spot in the attacking trident.

No matter what the National Team does, an attacking midfielder needs to start to fix the total lack of possession in the midfield and the lack of link-up play with the attack.

Build a 23-man roster with a Starting 11 in mind and substitutes for every position

Picking a Starting 11 and its substitutes should be an easy albeit controversial exercise for the U.S. National Team coach.

It’s easy to select a decent national team roster, but finding world-class players isn’t easy for anyone. Klinsmann can rightly claim that he doesn’t have world-class players, but he doesn’t have the right to say that he can’t call up a decent, balanced roster.

In 2016, the U.S. National Team needs to use an effective roster where every position has a first and second-choice option. Instead of using the best players he has, Klinsmann thinks he has to play players out of position because he doesn’t have world-class players. For Klinsmann, having a bizarre lineup is better than having a decent lineup.