No love for Klinsmann. Lando must feel some vindication.
Jurgen Klinsmann went to his veterans this time to bolster midfield stability. He also did not play them out of position. And it paid dividends after the dispiriting away loss in Guatemala. With Kyle Beckerman in his accustomed role of clean up man, Michael Bradley had much more space and freedom to roam up front. Geoff Cameron was shifted back to the familiar role of centre back from right back and DeAndre Yedlin reclaimed his right back position from midfield. Graham Zusi was back too.
There was much more movement and menace in the final third and all that possession paid off as Dempsey got the USA rolling. Cameron, Zusi, and Altidore coming on as a sub added to the tally.
The bigger concern is there appears to be any forward momentum to the national side. Beckerman is a model of stability in that he does what he does very well but age is not on his side. Dempsey is sinking into the shadows, well off his Fulham peak. Michael Bradley can still command the midfield but needs the requisite personnel to do so – he’s not going to win matches on his own.
Altidore is too inconsistent and plagued with injuries. Zardes is young and quick but he does not have the requisite touch and Mix Diskerud is just over hyped at this point.
Against Guatemala at home, Klinsmann paired Steve Birnbaum with Geoff Cameron in a noteworthy debut. However, Cameron and Matt Besler make the best central pairing with John Brooks, a reliable understudy but after that options get more sketchy. Michael Orozco and Omar Gonzalez have not merited enough confidence to be starters. And even goalkeeping, a traditional strength, seems to be on the wane. Tim Howard and Brad Guzan have both come in for some torrid criticism for their performances between the sticks. The bright spot seems to be at wing back and wide positions. DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson, and Julian Green are some of the notables. The match also saw Klinsmann give 17 year old Bundesliga prospect Cristian Pulisic a cameo.
Which all means given such limitations, choosing the best players AND playing them in position becomes crucial. Klinsmann’s constant experimentation, restless and meandering has left the USA with little idea as to their best XI.
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