Clarence Goodson over Oguchi Onyewu: Look at this man’s elevation
On the face of it, an unthinkable proposition. Gooch has been part of the US team for nigh on four years and with over 50 caps is one of it’s most experienced players.
But he is struggling to overcome an injury that destroyed his patellar tendon. Seven months off the field – post reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation, and there are moments like the one witnessed against the Czech Republic which surely worry Bob Bradley. A purer gauge of where Onyewu lies in his progression to full match fitness would be difficult to find.
Without the elevation and the reaction time up to par, he will be a defensive liability. These assets also play a big part in Gooch’s threat on set pieces. The US can ill afford a drop of at both ends.
With Carlos Bocanegra having injury concerns too – torn muscle fibers stitched together is not reassuring, a healthy, fully functioning central partnership will be essential in a group that has its share of big crossers and big bodies in the box. Aaron Lennon to Peter Crouch, Nadir Belhadj to Rafik Djebbour, Andraz Kirm to Milivoje Novakovič. Not to mention the set piece abilities of Steven Gerrard, Karim Ziani, and Robert Koren that need to be dealt with.
At this point Clarence Goodson looks far more assured. He might have a few question marks on his marking – he was taken to the cleaners by Martin Fenin and then failed to deal with Libor Sionko’s pass effectively but there are no illusions when it comes to his set piece threat. He is the real deal. Both goals against the Czechs were due to his goalmouth hustle, especially the second one. He will more than offset the occasional defensive deficiency with his giant abilities in the box.