Accidents to Timothy Chandler, Oguchi Onyewu, Eric Lichaj and a number of other others have the left the U.S. nationwide crew in a little bit of a bind forward of its March 5 pleasant in opposition to Ukraine. Josh Deaver explains.
BY
Josh Deaver
Posted
February 10, 2014
11:41 AM
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I SHOULD HAVE seen it coming.
The certitude with which I ran down the USA males’s nationwide crew participant pool in my final article all however assured the type of calamitous weekend we simply witnessed. Simply when Klinsmann’s depth chart was wanting sorted for the ultimate run towards Brazil, an all-time string of accidents has left the German, palms upward, asking “What’s next?”
In a current interview, Klinsmann mentioned the upcoming pleasant match in opposition to Ukraine, scheduled for March fifth in Kharkiv. In the course of the chat, he reiterated the necessity to take a very good—doubtlessly, remaining—have a look at some European-based fringe contenders for his ever-evolving World Cup roster puzzle. He talked about Tim Ream, Brek Shea, and Danny Williams by identify, giving a reasonably clear indication of who the U.S. boss could also be eyeing for the match. Different names passing Klinsmann’s lips had been Oguchi Onyewu and Timothy Chandler, two gamers who struggled on the onset of their respective European campaigns however have since discovered the sphere and their kind. Now, nevertheless, it’s wanting like Klinsmann might must make do with different choices.
Onyewu—whose exit within the remaining seconds of Sheffield Wednesday’s win over Barnsley final weekend went largely unnoticed—sat out this weekend after being formally identified with a calf muscle tear. Slated to overlook a “few weeks” of motion, his probability to characteristic in opposition to Ukraine, and at making the World Cup roster, might have all however vanished with the information.
Driving a wonderful run of kind and little doubt in line for his nationwide crew return, Chandler additionally went down this weekend. Early within the match in opposition to Bayern Munch on Saturday, the Nurnberg defender fell to a heap. Untouched on the play, Chandler clutched his knee and sobbed as he was stretchered off the sphere. The post-match analysis confirmed a meniscus tear in his left knee and 8-10 weeks on the shelf.
The 2 loses add to the litany of Individuals already seeing vital time on the coaching desk. Steve Cherundolo stays out indefinitely for Hannover. John Brooks is but to work himself again on the crew sheet for Hertha Berlin. Jermaine Jones is out at Besiktas with a groin harm. Eric Lichaj will reportedly miss a “number of weeks,” in response to Nottingham Forrest supervisor Billy Davies. Sacha Kljestan and Fabian Johnson have but to return absolutely from their respective knocks, whereas Aron Johannsson and Alejandro Bedoya missed time this weekend with minor points..
Taken individually, the losses will not be devastating. Collectively, nevertheless, and with a watch towards the upcoming pleasant—one the place the providers of MLS and Mexican-based gamers will probably be troublesome to acquire—the state of affairs has developed right into a little bit of a nightmare.
If Klinsmann decides to stay completely together with his European gamers for this match, he will probably be pressured to dive headlong into the more and more shallow participant pool to easily fill out his crew sheet. Extra regarding, his wholesome choices on the again now embrace solely Geoff Cameron and Ream, with the latter nonetheless recovering from a current damaged nostril. Brooks and Fabian Johnson, who Klinsmann’s claimed had been able to return this weekend, remained out of motion however will presumably be slot in time to play.
The lack of Chandler, Onyewu, and Lichaj opens the door for brand new contenders on the American backline, however who will stroll by way of it? Honestly, there are few real looking choices.
In a bit greater than 24 hours, former under-20 defender Will Packwood has gone from a fringe also-ran to a possible candidate for his first full worldwide cap. The Birmingham Metropolis man has impressed just lately, slotting in as an each match starter since making his return to the Blues final month. Packwood was one of many standout prospects over the past under-20 cycle earlier than struggling a damaged leg in early 2013. Pedigree alone might earn him an invitation.
Packwood higher watch his again, nevertheless. A possible spot on the nationwide crew, in addition to together with his with personal membership, might quickly be challenged by the returning Jonathan Spector. Out since October with a thigh harm, the skilled 27-year-old is a “why not” choice for Klinsmann at this level. If chosen, Spector can act as Klinsmann’s Leatherman instrument—a flexible possibility capable of lineup wherever on the backline.
In final week’s now confirmed-jinx of an article, I additionally mentioned the potential for Caleb Stanko, captain of the under-20 World Cup squad, benefiting from Klinsmann’s current propensity for integrating former youth gamers into the senior crew construction. I really feel a lot better about that decide now. Stanko is a defensive midfielder by commerce, however can fill out depth at heart again if want be.
You possibly can throw Ingolstadt’s Alfredo Morales within the combine as effectively. Like Stanko, Morales is a pure defensive midfielder, however has additionally featured without any consideration again at occasions, coaching there throughout the 2013 nationwide crew January camp. Don’t ask questions, it’s all arms on deck!
Moreover that, the cabinet is astonishingly naked. With remaining choices like Seb Hines, Zarek Valentin, Jide Ogunbiyi, and Conor O’Brien, it’s onerous to think about Klinsmann gained’t push onerous for the discharge of MLS-ers Michael Parkhurst, Clarence Goodson, and/or Brad Evans, whose ticket might already be stamped after this weekend’s misfortunes. Mexican-based defenders Michael Orozco and Edgar Castillo might use some additional minutes as effectively. Even Greg Garza, Castillo’s backup at Tijuana, is just not out of the query.
It’s an age-old lesson; issues occur in a World Cup yr. You possibly can’t cease them, you may solely hope to include their results. Finally, the way you react and endeavor to beat adversity turns into a real take a look at of 1’s managerial acumen. Klinsmann has executed an admirable job constructing depth for such a state of affairs, however even he couldn’t have anticipated having to dig this deep.
It’s time for an additional take a look at.
Who do you suppose will reap the benefits of these accidents and safe a World Cup roster spot? We need to hear your ideas.
ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former tutorial turned soccer obsessive. Comply with him on Twitter already.
