USMNT - World Soccer Source

The Best USMNT XI (April 2015)

April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 by Colin Reese

By: COLIN REESE

Here is World Soccer Source’s Pre-Gold Cup USMNT Best XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)

Right Back: DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham)

Center Back: Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)

Center Back: Ventura Alvarado (América)

Left Back: Greg Garza (Tijuana)

Right Midfielder: MIX Diskerud (NYC FC)

Center Midfielder: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)

Left Midfielder: Joe Corona (Tijuana)

Right Forward: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution)

Center Forward: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)

Left Forward: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)

Roster Explanation:

Brad Guzan has been ready and qualified to be the USA’s Number 1 for years, and he’s proven that he can play over Tim Howard with no drop in the level of the U.S. National Team’s goalkeeper. William Yarbrough of León is ready to be the USA’s Number 1, but Guzan is much more experienced and ahead of him. Yarbrough looks better than Nick Rimando.

A Defensive Back Four of DeAndre Yedlin, Geoff Cameron, Ventura Alvarado, and Greg Garza is a big upgrade for the United States.

Yedlin, Alvarado, and Garza have already played well together, and Cameron is a better center back than Omar Gonzalez or Matt Besler.

Cameron plays in a better league, and he’s more technical, more athletic, and more skilled defensively.

Alvarado is a young center back that starts for Club América, and he checks all the boxes for a quality international center back.

Yedlin and Garza are the kind of modern two-way outside backs that the United States needs. Both are attacking threats, and both are underrated defensively. Yedlin plays in the EPL, and Garza plays in Liga MX for Tijuana.

A midfield made up of Mix Diskerud, Michael Bradley, and Joe Corona from right to left makes so much sense. All three of these players allow the United States to keep possession, attack, and take the game to the opposition.

Bradley is an excellent defender and tireless runner, in addition to his technical ability and passing skill.

Diskerud has become formidable defensively. He aggressively looks to win back possession, and he tackles well.

Corona is known for his creativity and technical ability, and he has also shown a willingness to close down opponents and high press the opposition. Corona is crafty and quick with the ball at his feet, and he plays dangerous first time balls that open up games.

Diskerud, Bradley, and Corona make the American midfield technical and dynamic, and there is enough defending and running between those three to win back possession. Having all three playing together is key to upping the overall technical ability and creativity of the American midfield.

While there is room to be concerned about the lack of two defensive midfielders where a Number 6 or midfield destroyer plays deeper than Bradley who would play as a Number 8, team defense and high pressing is the name of the game.

With these three midfielders, and the three forwards or attackers discussed below, the United States should have plenty of team defense.

Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey are a dangerous strike partnership, and Juan Agudelo has to be included in the starting line-up.

Given the versatility, movement, dynamism, and creativity of Agudelo’s style of play, there is no problem for him to play nominally out right while Altidore is listed as the center forward.

A swirling trifecta of Agudelo, Altidore, and Dempsey is exactly the type of quick, dangerous, and skilled attack that the United States needs to continue to close the gap with world soccer’s elites.

This line-up is based on using technical ability and high pressing to beat opponents. The 4-3-3 formation is more nominal in actuality than three lines of outfield players maintaining a square formation on the field. Constant passing and movement make the formation ever changing, but certain players like Bradley and Altidore have more fixed positions than others in the Front Six.

Dillon Powers For USMNT

July 27, 2015April 9, 2015 by Colin Reese

Dillon Powers, Colorado Rapids midfielder. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Dillon Powers embodies the type of two-way midfielder that Jürgen Klinsmann has been calling for.

Klinsmann preaches proactive soccer where his midfielders recover possession and keep possession, and this is exactly what Powers does.

Powers attacks and defends with a high work rate, and he has a level of technical ability and vision that the National Team needs more of.

Amongst American footballers, only Benji Joya, who is younger and looking to improve his club situation, plays like Powers.

Powers’ facility at playing centrally or wide or in more defensive or more attacking roles makes him a player that can be useful to the National Team precisely because of this ability to play where he’s needed, in addition to the qualities that he brings to the squad.

With Michael Bradley playing best as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder of the box-to-box variety, Powers could partner with Bradley to play either role or Powers could play a more attacking midfielder role as he does with Colorado.

He can be deployed centrally or out wide in the line of three attacking midfielders, and he even plays as a second striker. Unlike some other MLS midfielders that Klinsmann has used, Powers has a more complete skill-set that doesn’t limit him to only hitting crosses.

The goal for American soccer is to have more players that can play with skill and speed at the international level against top national teams, and someone like Powers is simply too talented and too qualified to be routinely ignored from even consideration by Klinsmann and his coaching staff.

Given Powers skill-set and consistent performances at the club level, United States Men’s National Team coaches in the past would have used Powers one to two years ago with the national team, but Klinsmann’s reasons for selecting or not selecting players to represent the USA have never really been clear.

Anyone familiar with MLS would recognize Powers as not only a complete midfielder, but also one who has stood out in the league against players with much more experience than him.

On more elite national teams, there might be multiple players of Powers level, but given the problems the United States has had keeping possession and displaying a high level of technical skill, it’s hard to justify keeping him off the National Team.

Powers stands out for how impactful and technical he is all over the field both in the recovering of the ball and in the attack. The Rapids midfielder is all over the field positively impacting the game, and he’s scored some impressive goals that display his skill and willingness to play aggressively.

He’s too good to leave off the National Team.

Klinsmann’s snubbing of so many qualified MLS players like Powers has to be something of a running joke with American players and coaches in MLS.

MLS Players Worthy of USMNT Call-Up

April 7, 2015 by Colin Reese

By: COLIN REESE

This isn’t a comprehensive list of MLS players that are worthy of a United States Men’s National Team call-up, but it is a list of some of the key names that World Soccer Source felt deserved special recognition.

Any player whose name was forgotten or accidentally overlooked isn’t necessarily not rated highly by World Soccer Source.

MLS and American soccer now have more quality players of various positions than there are room for on the national team.

Some players who were recently used by Jürgen Klinsmann aren’t discussed in this article.

Below are the names of MLS players that World Soccer Source chose to highlight for USMNT recognition:

Juan Agudelo, Forward, New England Revolution

The most talented and creative of all the American strikers. Jürgen Klinsmann already rates and has used Juan Agudelo, but he has been out of the national team picture the last year because of a state of club limbo that has now been resolved. Agudelo is more technical, more creative, and more impactful that Jozy Altidore, whose game has improved tremendously the past 3-4 years. Despite Altidore’s underrated technical ability, Altidore can’t do the things that Agudelo can.

Benny Feilhaber, Midfielder, Sporting Kansas City

The attacking midfielder and now also central midfielder is the best playmaker in the American player pool. He has the most proven skill and experience amongst American Number 10’s. Feilhaber has always displayed smooth technical ability on the international level against elite opponents.

Dillon Powers, Midfielder, Colorado Rapids

This American midfielder is a complete midfielder that brings loads of skill, running, defending, and versatility. He’s technical and athletic, and he can play any position in the midfield, in addition to excelling as a withdrawn striker. He’s a playmaker with the work rate of a two-way center midfielder.

Maurice Edu, Midfielder/Defender, Philadelphia Union

The United States isn’t good enough to not need an experienced and proven midfielder and defender like Maurice Edu. His technical ability, defending, work rate, and athleticism are proven at the European and international level. A useful player for the national team.

Kelyn Rowe, Midfielder/Forward, New England Revolution

Kelyn Rowe is an attacking midfielder or forward that can play wide or centrally, and his two-footed skill, speed, and creativity are all qualities the national team needs. Rowe is a more talented and faster player than Graham Zusi, whom Klinsmann has used a lot during his tenure. Rowe like Powers is the type of skillful player the USA cannot afford to snub.

José Villarreal, Midfielder/Forward, LA Galaxy

José Villarreal is an exciting attacking player blessed with quickness, 1v1 skill, excellent passing, and a nose for goal. Slippery and creative, this player has a level of toughness and fighting spirit that goes underrated. One of the very best young American players.

Andrew Farrell, Defender, New England Revolution

Andrew Farrell has looked good in his natural position of center back because of his combination of skill, speed, defensive prowess and fundamentals, and impressive athleticism. The goal for USMNT center backs is to have the speed and defensive ability to defend fast and talented attackers plus the ability to calmly play the ball out of the back or calmly keep possession in the U.S.’ defensive third. Farrell checks all of the boxes for an international center back.

Shane O’Neill, Defender/Midfielder, Colorado Rapids

Shane O’Neill isn’t as athletically impressive as Farrell, but O’Neill is fast, quick, tall, and strong. O’Neill has good defensive instincts and fundamentals, and he’s excellent on the ball. He’s another center back the USMNT could really use.

Kofi Sarkodie, Defender, Houston Dynamo

For a national team that needs another modern right back that both defends and attacks like Yedlin, Sarkodie is likely the best in this regard in MLS. Sarkodie is hard to get past, and his speed and skill are a threat down the sideline in the attack. Sarkodie would seem like an obvious choice as a right back to test out with the national team as his defending is arguably better than Yedlin’s.

Charlie Davies, Forward, New England Revolution

Charlie Davies proved his effectiveness and partnership with Jozy Altidore years ago. Now fully-recovered, Davies has had several strong years in a row in MLS. The speed of Davies is a huge threat in the attack, and his overall skill-level and style of play are proven.

Clint Irwin, Goalkeeper, Colorado Rapids

The USMNT has been testing out Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid quite a lot, but Clint Irwin is a stand-out MLS goalkeeper that is positionally-sound and a great shot stopper. Irwin makes impressive saves, and he doesn’t have any clear weakness in regards to his goalkeeping fundamentals.

Who Should the USMNT Start vs. Mexico?

April 6, 2015April 6, 2015 by Colin Reese

Joe Corona (Photo: George Frey/Getty Images )

By: COLIN REESE

The United States faces off against Mexico on April 15. With the caveat that Jürgen Klinsmann refuses to use Benny Feilhaber, here is the USA XI that World Soccer Source backs.

This United States Men’s National Team XI uses a midfield diamond formation with Maurice Edu as the defensive midfielder, Michael Bradley and Mix Diskerud as central midfielders, and Joe Corona as the attacking midfielder or Number 10 to feed the strikers and orchestrate the attack.

Up top in the attack, Juan Agudelo and Clint Dempsey form the strike partnership with Jozy Altidore out suspended for cussing out a referee.

With William Yarbrough in goal, the Defensive Back Four is made up of DeAndre Yedlin, Ventura Alvarado, Michael Orozco, and Greg Garza from right to left.

The World Soccer Source USMNT XI (4-1-2-1-2) For USA vs. Mexico:

Goalkeeper: William Yarbrough

Right Back: DeAndre Yedlin

Center Back: Ventura Alvarado

Center Back: Michael Orozco

Left Back: Greg Garza

Defensive Midfielder: Maurice Edu

Central Midfielder: Michael Bradley

Central Midfielder: Mix Diskerud

Attacking Midfielder: Joe Corona

Striker: Juan Agudelo

Second Striker: Clint Dempsey

USA XI: Guzan; Yedlin, Alvarado, Orozco, Garza; Edu; Bradley, Diskerud; Corona; Agudelo, Dempsey.

USMNT: 23 For 2015 (April 2015)

April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 by Colin Reese

By: COLIN REESE

This isn’t Jürgen Klinsmann’s likely 23-man Gold Cup roster. This is World Soccer Source’s opinion of the 23 U.S. internationals that deserve to represent the United States Men’s National Team at the 2015 Gold Cup.

It goes without saying, but many deserving players were left off this list due to a need to have a balanced roster with the right amount of center backs, outside backs, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders, wingers, and forwards.

Many of the players with the talent and mentality to do well this summer have been seeing limited club playing time, so it is premature to back them until things change. This applies to many of the players in the U.S.’s youth national teams playing outside of MLS.

Jermaine Jones was omitted because the United States has other capable center backs, and it’s time to let the younger center backs play because the United States needs this for its long-term success.

Alejandro Bedoya is a fast and technical player excelling in Europe with Nantes in Ligue 1. This is a commendable achievement, but, Bedoya was dropped from World Soccer Source’s USA roster to allow room for both Kelyn Rowe and José Villarreal because World Soccer Source considers them to be better at creating and scoring goals. They also play under more control. Both players can also play centrally and in wide positions better than Bedoya in World Soccer Source’s opinion.

Joe Corona is a more important player for the United States in this writer’s opinion because Corona is a better playmaker than Bedoya. Corona can play as a Number 10, on either wing, or as a second striker. Bedoya’s value is attacking at pace, but the United States really needs more possession with purpose and assists. This is what Corona brings to the squad, and Corona also scores goals.

Klinsmann’s refusal to use Benny Feilhaber is inexcusable, especially given the problems the U.S. has had with possession, with creating scoring opportunities, and displaying a degree of technical skill in the midfield against elite competition. Feilhaber deserves to represent the United States. Klinsmann clearly has some personal problem with Feilhaber, and Klinsmann needs to let it go.

Some other selections warrant some deeper explanation. Both Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu are versatile players that excel as defensive midfielders and center backs, and Edu can also play as a central midfielder, while Cameron also plays both outside back positions.

These two players give the National Team depth at the defensive midfielder spot, so Bradley can either play as a center defensive midfielder directly in front of the Back Four or as a center midfielder of the box-to-box variety, depending on how attack-minded the United States wishes to play.

Andrew Farrell played as a right back last season for the New England Revolution, but this season he’s playing his natural position of center back. Farrell is a quality center back, but he’s also an outside back that provides more of the combination of defending, speed, and technical ability that the USA needs from its outside backs. Farrell can also play as a midfield destroyer in a pinch.

Robbie Rogers has been playing as a left back, but the right-footed player can play as a right back or in the midfield on either side as a midfielder, which is where he used to always play.

Looking at the bigger problems with Klinsmann’s player selection, the USSF cannot afford to keep snubbing the majority of the quality American players in the 20-25 year old range that aren’t dual-nationals from Europe, as Klinsmann has largely been doing.

So, below is World Soccer Source’s 23-man list of the players that deserve to represent the Stars and Stripes this summer at the 2015 Gold Cup:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, William Yarbrough, Clint Irwin

Defenders: Ventura Alvarado, John Brooks, Maurice Edu, Shane O’Neill, DeAndre Yedlin, Greg Garza, Andrew Farrell, Robbie Rogers

Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron, Dillon Powers, Benny Feilhaber, Mix Diskerud, Joe Corona

Forwards: Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Gyasi Zardes, José Villarreal, Kelyn Rowe

World Soccer Source’s USA XI (4-3-3): Guzan; Yedlin, Alvarado, Brooks, Garza; Bradley, Cameron, Feilhaber; Corona, Altidore, Dempsey.

American Soccer Player Rankings (April 2015)

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 by Colin Reese

Clint Dempsey remains the American soccer player par excellence. (Photo: AP)

By: COLIN REESE

Ranking the Best American Soccer Players (April 2015):

Clint Dempsey, Forward/ Midfielder, Seattle Sounders
Michael Bradley, Midfielder, Toronto FC
Benny Feilhaber, Midfielder, Sporting KC
Jozy Altidore, Striker, Toronto FC
Juan Agudelo, Forward, New England Revolution

Mix Diskerud, Midfielder, NYC FC
Joe Corona, Midfielder/Forward, Tijuana
Geoff Cameron, Defender/Midfielder, Stoke City
Ventura Alvarado, Defender/Midfielder, Club América
Brad Guzan, Goalkeeper, Aston Villa

Maurice Edu, Midfielder/Defender, Philadelphia Union
DeAndre Yedlin, Defender/Midfielder, Tottenham
Tim Howard, Goalkeeper, Everton
John Brooks, Defender, Hertha Berlin
Dillon Powers, Midfielder, Colorado Rapids

Alejandro Bedoya, Midfielder, Nantes
José Villarreal, Forward/ Midfielder, LA Galaxy
Kelyn Rowe, Midfielder/Forward, New England Revolution
Lee Nguyen, Midfielder, New England Revolution
Greg Garza, Defender, Tijuana

Fabian Johnson, Midfielder/ Defender, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Charlie Davies, Forward, New England Revolution
Gyasi Zardes, Forward, LA Galaxy
Shane O’Neill, Defender/Midfielder, Colorado Rapids
Andrew Farrell, Defender, New England Revolution

Improving the USA National Team Midfield

March 30, 2015 by Colin Reese

Michael Bradley (Photo: Garrett Ellwood / Colorado Rapids)

By: COLIN REESE

As a midfield trio, Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron, and Benny Feilhaber make a lot of sense.

That’s a box-to-box midfielder, a defensive midfielder, and an attacking midfielder.

This formula is used by many of the top national and club teams in the world, and with Feilhaber’s improved defending and work rate, Feilhaber would also be helping Bradley and Cameron to win back possession.

Winning the battle for the midfield is a crucial component to winning games, especially against elite teams full of pass masters.

In the American player pool for the national team, Bradley, Cameron, and Feilhaber are arguably the very best options for the central midfielder spot, the defensive midfielder spot, and the attacking midfielder spot.

Mix Diskerud is certainly a talented attacking midfielder that is a two-way player that is proven against top-level competition, but Feilhaber is more experienced and arguably better against the best teams. Either way, Diskerud is capable of playing this role as well.

Given all of the line-ups and players that Jürgen Klinsmann has used in the American midfield, it is quite surprising that a trio of Bradley, Cameron, and Feilhaber has never been used, particularly because Klinsmann likes the 4-3-3 formation.

Bradley, Cameron, and Feilhaber form a group of experienced U.S. internationals that can win back possession and keep possession, and all three players stand out amongst most American players for their technical ability. Clint Dempsey is more technical and creative than all three, but a defensive midfielder and central midfielder with loads of two-footed technical ability and creativity is nothing to be taken lightly.

The United States is often struggling to keep possession against the top national teams, if not totally overrun, so it makes it even more baffling that Klinsmann wouldn’t immediately gravitate towards starting a three-man midfield with three different types of midfielders that can play together at the speed of elite international soccer.

Klinsmann views recruiting dual-nationals from Europe as the solution to improving the USMNT, but the real problem has been not using the right combination of players.

Trying new players and thinking outside of the box are great tactics, but totally abandoning proven tactics and overlooking proven players doesn’t help the national team.

Based on the American player pool, arguing that the United States has a better midfield trio that Bradley, Cameron, and Feilhaber is hard to do.

Firstly, Cameron and Bradley form a defensive midfielder partnership where each knows and accepts their different roles, and secondly, Feilhaber is the most technical, the most experienced, and the most proven of the American attacking midfielders.

His progress in becoming a two-way midfielder that defends more and covers more territory in winning back possession only makes him more worthy now than in the past. At 30 years old, he’s enjoying his peak years.

Bradley, Cameron, and Feilhaber. Three proven, technical, and athletic American midfielders that play different but complementary roles.

The USA National Team needs to try out this midfield trio to look to stabilize and improve the squad.

Who Should Make the USMNT March Roster?

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 by Colin Reese

By: COLIN REESE

Every one of the 23 players listed below are experienced players that have the quality to excel at the international level, and essentially every one of these players sees consistent playing time at the club level.

There are three goalkeepers, four center backs, four outside backs, six midfielders (including several defensive midfielders that also play center back), and six forwards (including players that are attacking midfielders/forwards).

Here is World Soccer Source’s USA 23-man roster proposal for the upcoming international friendlies as of right now:

Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Clint Irwin (Colorado Rapids)

Defenders (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club América), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Steve Birnbaum (DC United), Michael Orozco (Puebla), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Midfielders (6): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Mix Diskerud (NYC FC), Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids)

Forwards (6): Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana)

Other Players To Watch: Rubio Rubin, Lee Nguyen, Alejandro Guido, Shane O’Neill, Matt Hedges, Alonso Hernandez, Kelyn Rowe, José Villarreal, Chris Klute, Andrew Farrell, Robbie Rogers, Benji Joya, Paul Arriola, Perry Kitchen, Will Trapp, Kellyn Acosta.

How Gyasi Zardes Improves the USMNT

February 23, 2015 by Colin Reese

Gyasi Zardes, USMNT Starter. (Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)

By: COLIN REESE

Gyasi Zardes was a player that American soccer fans and observers of American soccer wanted to see play international soccer, and he exceeded expectations.

Zardes didn’t just have a good showing that included a great solo run and an inch perfect assist delivered from a sprint, Zardes played like a versatile attacker that could keep possession in midfield, play wide, play centrally, and attack the opposition directly.

The LA Galaxy striker proved himself to be a USMNT attacker with surprising versatility. Zardes was handed a national team start, and he played where the game dictated rather than playing like a robot that looked like he was just trying to follow the coaching staff’s instructions like Graham Zusi does.

Once the whistle was blown, Zardes decided to just put his stamp on the game by combining with Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Mix Diskerud, and Jozy Altidore. Zardes made himself a useful teammate that his more experienced teammates trusted to include in the game, and he didn’t ask for their permission. He included himself.

When Zardes recovered a bouncing ball with space in front of him, he didn’t wait for an invitation to sprint at the defense and release Dempsey with an elegant pass to score a world-class goal.

Dempsey made a hard finish look easy, but the USMNT does not have many players that would have had the spirit and ability to charge the defense and feed the USA’s best player.

Lots of players would have tried to play their first international game as a starter like a Yes Man looking to follow instructions and not make a mistake, but Zardes was totally unfazed by starting with Dempsey and Bradley; he didn’t defer to them.

Time and time again Dempsey has displayed his willingness to combine with anyone that is looking to play exciting and skillful attacking soccer, and he clearly enjoyed playing with Zardes.

Zardes has two huge backers to be a USMNT starter (Dempsey and Bradley), plus Zardes has the vote of the person with the most power, the coach.

No matter what Klinsmann decides to do about the central midfield positions, Zardes has likely won himself a starting spot on the national team.

With Zardes starting, the USA probably needs to start Geoff Cameron with Bradley to give the squad another defensive midfielder in the starting line-up, but this still leaves room for Mix Diskerud or Joe Corona to start as a Number 10.

Corona can also be used as a wing opposite Zardes, but whether Zardes is playing as an outside forward or a wide midfielder on paper doesn’t really matter because Zardes can keep possession or counter-attack, plus the attacker knows how to set up goals and score them.

Gyasi Zardes is likely here to stay as a U.S. National Team starter, and that’s a good thing.

Who cares what his position is on paper?

Zardes knows how to play with the USMNT’s two best players: Dempsey and Bradley.

The Best USMNT 23 (February 2015)

February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 by Colin Reese

By: COLIN REESE

The 23-man United States Men’s National Team roster proposed below includes a balance of center backs, outside backs, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders, and forwards (Number 9s and second strikers).

Here is World Soccer Source’s Best USMNT 23 for February 2015:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad GUZAN, Clint IRWIN, Zack STEFFEN

-Guzan is the clear Number 1, but it’s time to bring Irwin and Steffen into the fold.

-Irwin is one of the very best keepers in MLS, and the USA would be wise to start making the young Steffen part of the senior squad.

DEFENDERS: Ventura ALVARADO, John BROOKS, Shane O’NEILL, Steve BIRNBAUM, DeAndre YEDLIN, Greg GARZA, Andrew FARRELL, Chris KLUTE

– Alvarado, Brooks, O’Neill, and Birnbaum are the four center backs.

– Michael Orozco is one of the best American center backs and somewhat of a big-time snub from this 23-man roster, but Birnbaum showed well against Chile. O’Neill is widely considered one of the very best center back prospects for the USA.

– Yedlin, Garza, Farrell, and Klute are the outside backs. Klute, who is right-footed, plays left back and right back.

– Farrell is a center back that had been playing as a right back for the New England Revolution, and Alvarado, who is really a center back, can play every defensive position for Club América.

– Garza recently injured his knee, and depending on the gravity of the injury, Fabian Johnson would deserve his left back spot. The argument can be made that Johnson, despite being more skilled than both players, doesn’t track back on defense as well as Klute or Garza.

MIDFIELDERS: Michael BRADLEY, Geoff CAMERON, Maurice EDU, Benny FEILHABER, Mix DISKERUD, Dillon POWERS

-Bradley, Cameron, and Edu are defensive midfielders. Bradley also plays as a box-to-box midfielder.

-Powers plays as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and defensive midfielder.

-Feilhaber and Diskerud are attacking midfielders that have also become two-way central midfielders.

FORWARDS: Clint DEMPSEY, Jozy ALTIDORE, Joe Benny CORONA, Juan AGUDELO, Rubio RUBIN, Alejandro GUIDO

– Dempsey plays as a withdrawn striker, attacking midfielder, and winger.

– Corona and Guido are attacking midfielders that play as wings, second strikers, and Number 10s.

-Guido is more of a senior team player for Tijuana than Paul Arriola, who is another American with Xolos to watch.

-Altidore, Agudelo, and Rubin are Number 9s.

-Agudelo and Rubin are more versatile than Altidore, and they can both play wide as well.

-Agudelo is the most talented of the American strikers.

Editor’s Note: World Soccer Source normally includes Benji Joya because of his overall skill, athleticism, and his completeness as a midfielder, but Joya’s status with Santos Laguna is currently unclear after not being signed by the Chicago Fire after his loan with MLS.