ASN: Klinsmann Names 22-Man Roster for Mexico Pleasant

Twenty-two MLS and Liga MX gamers will get one final likelihood to impress U.S. nationwide group coach Jurgen Klinsmann earlier than 2014 World Cup camp opens in Might. Brian Sciaretta assesses the alternatives.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 26, 2014
5:03 PM

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JURGEN KLINSMANN TODAY introduced his 22-player roster for the April 2 pleasant in opposition to Mexico (11 p.m. Jap; ESPN, UniMas) and as with every roster there’s a lot to investigate and focus on.

This marks the ultimate pleasant earlier than the beginning of World Cup camp in Might, so for a lot of gamers who’re maybe on the bubble, this recreation is greater than only a pleasant and in reality may very well be one of many largest video games of their careers in that it might decide their World Cup destiny. Here is the complete roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Invoice Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fireplace), Nick Rimando (Actual Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas Metropolis), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Actual Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Luis Gil (Actual Salt Lake), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas Metropolis)
FORWARDS: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Julian Inexperienced (Bayern Munich), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

And listed below are seven fast takeaways.

1. There aren’t any shock inclusions

In contrast to most earlier rosters, there have been completely no surprises on this record. Inexperienced’s inclusion was well-known and each participant on the roster was both a part of the January Camp or has been an everyday attendee. What this implies is that Klinsmann is assured that he has MLS absolutely evaluated. He’s now not experimenting and does not appear to be interested by uncovering extra gems. He is aware of what he needs.

2. However there are important omissions

This roster is only for MLS and Liga Mx gamers—minus Membership Tijuana athletes, who’re within the midst of a CONCACAF Champions League run—however right here is who missed out.

The largest shock is Benny Feilhaber, who Klinsmann has by no means appeared to fee extremely however who has begun the MLS season enjoying very nicely. The indicators have been on the wall that Feilhaber was all the time in an uphill climb below Klinsmann however this exclusion seals his destiny.

CREATE YOUR OWN U.S. STARTING XI FOR MEXICO MATCH

Jose Torres has performed nicely just lately for Tigres, however he appeared to fall out of favor below Klinsmann because the cycle progressed. His ommision is especially noteworthy given that there’s a real want for left-footed gamers on the group. By not making the reduce for the Mexico match, Torres seems to be on the skin trying by way of Brazil.

Julian Inexperienced’s Position
When Julian Inexperienced introduced final week that he was going to file his change of affiliation utility with FIFA, it was a serious story for U.S. nationwide group followers. In spite of everything, {the teenager} has knowledgeable contract with the perfect group on this planet and is greatest scorer on Bayern Munich’s U-23 group.

However there are a whole lot of questions surrounding Inexperienced. What place does Klinsmann see Inexperienced enjoying? Most significantly, how good is he proper now? All indicators level to the truth that he’s possible going to play on the skin of the midfield the place the U.S. lacks depth.

There’s a unhealthy behavior amongst American soccer followers/coaches/media to overhype younger gamers. It often results in pointless strain for the gamers and disappointment for the followers. Inexperienced is in a difficult scenario as a result of time is brief earlier than the World Cup and if he’s going to play a task, he must see minutes. However it’s additionally essential to not give him an excessive amount of duty too quickly since he has not seen {many professional} minutes and is barely 18 years previous.

With that mentioned, search for him to start out the sport on the bench however come on within the second half in opposition to Mexico.

4. Backline Woes

With the World Cup lower than 80 days away, Klinsmann’s protection is way from set. The place does Geoff Cameron slot in? Can a midfieler like DaMarcus Beasley reduce it as a left again on the World Cup? Can Evans maintain up at proper again? Is there house on the roster for Michael Parkhurst?

This recreation in opposition to Mexico might go a good distance towards answering these questions. Besler and Gonzalez are more likely to begin in central protection but when both struggles, Goodson may very well be given an opportunity in central protection. Evans didn’t carry out nicely in opposition to South Korea and can want a strong recreation in opposition to Mexico to show issues round. In any other case, Parkhurst might overtake him on the depth chart. As for the veteran Beasley, he might want to present that he has what it takes to play fullback in opposition to robust, motivated competitors.

I don’t assume anyone has the solutions however this recreation ought to present a minimum of just a little little bit of readability.

5. Will Wondolowski Win out?

It has been an fascinating cycle for Wondolowski who has performed very nicely in MLS however has been inconsistent on the worldwide stage. In his final efficiency in opposition to South Korea he scored two targets and made a optimistic impression. Can he give an encore in opposition to El Tri? If he scores and boosts the US offense, Klinsmann could have a tough choice leaving him off the 2014 World Cup squad.

6. The Gamers on the Bubble

Wondolowski, Evans, and Parkhurst are on the bubble, however who else wants an enormous recreation?

Maurice Edu returns to the U.S. nationwide group for the primary time in practically a 12 months, and that is his first, and doubtless final, likelihood to point out Klinsmann that he’s a authentic contender for a World Cup roster spot. Michael Bradley will possible begin the sport in central midfield alongside Kyle Beckerman—the third possibility within the two-man central midfield behind Bradley and Jermaine Jones.

Beckerman has performed nicely over the previous 12 months and is a Klinsmann favourite, however Edu will possible be given a shot in opposition to Mexico. The California native will want a powerful exhibiting to catch Klinsmann’s eye, and it ought to be fascinating to see how Edu performs below such intense strain.

7. Can Dempsey Step Up?

It’s no secret that group captain Clint Dempsey hasn’t had the perfect 12 months. He didn’t dominate MLS when he joined Seattle. His latest nationwide group video games haven’t been as much as his regular excessive customary. And his mortgage to Fulham was hardly a cheerful homecoming.

There isn’t a query he’s going to Brazil but when the group goes to have any success there, Demspey might want to play nicely. Optimists will notice that he did nicely within the second half of Seattle’s most up-to-date recreation in opposition to Toronto. Was that the signal of higher issues to return? U.S. followers hope so.

Dempsey will likely be an important participant on the sphere for the U.S. group in opposition to Mexico. He will likely be teamed up with Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan because the group faces a motivated and gifted regional rival. If the captain can increase his recreation and construct momentum heading to Brazil, it can increase the boldness of the complete group as Klinsmann and firm put together to face a frightening group on the World Cup.

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Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.