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Friday’s pleasant in Havana did not inform us a lot in regards to the U.S. squad, however as we speak’s recreation towards New Zealand ought to show extra insightful. Here is what Brian Sciaretta might be in search of.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 11, 2016
3:00 AM
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IN ITS FINAL WARMUP earlier than the beginning of the Hexagonal spherical of World Cup qualification, the US nationwide workforce will host New Zealand at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. tonight (8pm ET; ESPN, UniMas). Jurgen Klinsmann can have a largely North American-based squad after releasing lots of his European-based gamers following Friday’s 2-0 win over Cuba.
This lineup Klinsmann has at his disposal is usually youthful and consists of a number of gamers attempting to play their approach into the core of the squad. Can these gamers make an influence? Here is what I might be in search of.
Juan Agudelo—One of many extra intriguing gamers added to the roster, Agudelo is enjoying nice soccer proper now for New England. Expertise, in fact, has by no means been a problem for the Colombian-born, New Jersey-raised ahead. As an alternative, it has been his consistency and profession determination making (made evident when he took most of 2015 off after a failed Stoke switch). However he’s on his recreation and nonetheless simply 23-years-old. Has he reached a degree the place he can break into Klinsmann’s high roster?
Lynden Gooch—The Californian will doubtless make his U.S. debut towards New Zealand after incomes Premier League minutes with Sunderland this season. He has performed all kinds of positions underneath David Moyes however the place will Klinsmann play him? Given the abundance of central midfielders on this U.S. roster, Gooch will doubtless play both on the wing, ahead, or attacking midfielder. Then, if he succeeds, will he be fast-tracked onto the highest workforce to start the Hexagonal?
Kellyn Acosta—Regardless of enjoying solely as a central midfielder for FC Dallas, Acosta has impressed Klinsmann at left again the place he’ll doubtless begin towards New Zealand. Acosta, 21, is able the place if he good points Klinsmann’s confidence on the place, he can maybe push Fabian Johnson into the midfield.
Julian Inexperienced—The Bayern Munich product was one of many few American gamers who impressed towards Cuba. He confirmed little rust regardless of not enjoying in any respect for his membership. Consistency might be a take a look at and will probably be fascinating to see how Inexperienced can do for an encore. Together with Paul Arriola and Lynden Gooch—and Christian Pulisic who returned to Borussia Dortmund following the Cuba recreation—there may be robust competitors amongst younger wingers within the participant pool.
Sacha Kljestan—The New York Purple Bull midfielder had an off day towards Cuba however that few People appeared snug on the uneven pitch. If he begins towards New Zealand, Kljestan can have loads on the road. A robust efficiency may put him in line to start out towards Mexico subsequent month. Not like many within the participant pool, he has Champions League expertise, is in type, and has began towards Mexico within the Hexagonal. However competitors stays tight.
Perry Kitchen—The newly minted Hearts captain will make his return to RFK Stadium the place he performed with D.C. United from 2011-2015. Kitchen faces a tricky battle for enjoying time within the U.S. squad however on Tuesday might be in a well-recognized setting and ought to be in a cushty place to play nicely. The query is whether or not or not he’ll take benefit.
Can the Regulars Construct Momentum?
This recreation is not only in regards to the fringe gamers trying to make an impression. The established gamers all are going through necessary exams to attempt to set a successful and assured tone heading into the Hex.
That is the case primarily for captain Michael Bradley and his Toronto FC teammate Jozy Altidore. Alditore has had an excellent two-month run for his membership and Bradley is desperately attempting to get again the shape which he confirmed in early 2015. When Michael Bradley is enjoying nicely, the U.S. is troublesome to beat. At occasions, a part of his issue gave the impression to be a poor chemistry with Jermaine Jones. However with Jones not on the roster, Bradley wants to claim himself extra and turn out to be the focal piece of the midfield—particularly with youthful gamers now breaking into the squad on the skin positions.
With John Brooks and Geoff Cameron each again with their golf equipment, Klinsmann has selections to make as to who will get the beginning in central protection. Steve Birnbaum is one potential possibility and the D.C. United star could be enjoying in his house stadium. The doubtless wager, nonetheless, is that Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez get the nod because of their expertise and chemistry collectively. Klinsmann’s pecking order after Cameron and Brooks just isn’t as apparent in the meanwhile and Tuesday’s recreation may reveal how Klinsmann sees that place.
Predictions
I believe the US wins the sport 3-1 and goes with this beginning lineup.
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-02-17 16:00:18
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