Potential Gold Cup lineup of youngsters
By Brent Latham
ESPN INSIDER
Along with qualification for next year's Hexagonal, among the most useful spoils of the U.S. men's national team's win in Kansas City on Tuesday was the right to look ahead.
For Jurgen Klinsmann's team, 2013 now brings plenty to look forward to. Failure in the 2011 Gold Cup means there'll be no Confederations Cup in Brazil, but the yearlong qualification process and the midsummer 2013 Gold Cup will provide plenty of chances to compete.
The fixtures will be so numerous, in fact, that Klinsmann has already dropped some hints at sending a B team to the Gold Cup. We'll defer the discussion for now on whether that's a good idea -- let's just say Mexico managed to turn its whole program around three years ago in the 2009 Gold Cup by trouncing a U.S. B team with most of its starters, and the opportunity is ripe for the Americans to do much the same -- but the idea of a backup squad at least lends the chance to give the whole national team picture a rethink.
Klinsmann has talked a good game about attractive play since coming on board, but it's been pointed out frequently of late that the American style of play still has a long way to go to get to the level where U.S. soccer leadership and fans seem to want it.
Starting from scratch, then, with players specifically designed to fit into a more attractive 4-3-3, might even help things along. So let's try that exercise, creating a 23-player B team for next summer built primarily of younger players on the fringes of U.S. national team.
Goalkeepers: Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, Zac MacMath
Tim Howard and Brad Guzan aren't going anywhere for a while -- so we might as well stick with the guys the program has identified as the best potential heirs to the position.
Even after his Olympic debacle, Johnson has proved he deserves a chance as a full national team backup. Hamid and MacMath have been less consistent with their clubs, but as future competitors for the spot, they could also use the experience at this level.
Right backs: Eric Lichaj, Steve Beitashour
If Timmy Chandler is not in the mix by midsummer, he's not going to be at the World Cup in 2014. (If Chandler does make himself available, the Gold Cup would be a good chance for him to cut his teeth and repay some dues owed to the national team.) So the 2013 Gold Cup could well prove a trial for Steve Cherundolo's temporarily vacant backup spot.
Two years out from his last meaningful action with the American national team, Lichaj would clearly deserve another shot to prove his worth. Beitashour has shown at the MLS level that he's also a part of the right back discussion.
Center backs: Omar Gonzalez, George John, Matt Besler, Matt Hedges
Alongside Lichaj, Gonzalez has probably been the player most snubbed by Klinsmann. The serious knee injury earlier this year didn't help his progress, but Gonzalez should be back to full strength by early 2013, and ready to help a national team perennially thin on CB options. A Gold Cup cap would also remove the ever-present threat that the Mexican-American changes sides at some point (though young Mexican depth at CB is a primary factor making that scenario less probable).
Besler and John have proved solid MLS center backs for several seasons now, and would essentially be trying out to prove they can be just as serviceable for the national team as the likes of Clarence Goodson or a broken-down Oguchi Onyewu -- players who haven't always inspired full confidence in the back. Hedges is among several promising young MLS center backs who could fill out the roster and gain experience.
Left backs: Edgar Castillo, Adam Henley
Castillo has been a regular part of Klinsmann's teams, but has seldom gotten regular run-outs due to injury and Fabian Johnson's rock-solid starter status. The Gold Cup would be a good time for him to prove he can consistently do the defensive work needed at this level.
As for Henley, an 18-year-old tri-national left back currently turning out for Blackburn in the English Championship, the Gold Cup could prove a great time for Klinsmann to attempt to pry him away from England and Wales -- if it doesn't come too soon for the young Henley to make a commitment.
Defensive midfielders: Maurice Edu, Kyle Beckerman, Perry Kitchen or Amobi Okugo
If the No. 1 goal of this Gold Cup team is to try out some untested players, goal No. 1a would be to win a much-needed title after years of Mexican dominance in the region. To do that, leadership will be key, and a good place to provide that will be in the midfield. Thus the inclusion of two Klinsmann favorites who have fallen down the first-team pecking order: Edu and Beckerman.
Okugo and Kitchen are the opposite side of the coin -- two up-and-comers (in our Top 25 U-21 list) who could use the chance to apprentice for the national team in a meaningful competition.
Attacking midfield: Mix Diskerud, Joe Corona, Stuart Holden
In Klinsmann's 4-3-3 scheme, there's seldom a spot for a true No. 10. But against the minnows of CONCACAF in the group stage, the team will have a chance to let loose in attack. It would be informative to see Corona and Diskerud, a pair of Olympic standouts, get the chance to pull the strings.
Holden is a bit of a flier here, but he should finally be recovered from injury by mid-2013, and another shot with the national team could be timely for the once-promising midfielder.
Wingers: Chris Pontius, Josh Gatt, Nick DeLeon, Joe Gyau
Winger is a crucial position in making Klinsmann's 4-3-3 concept work, yet the U.S. has few true wing options to choose from. The first here, Pontius, was actually called into the U.S. camp earlier this month, but with the MLS stretch run approaching he declined to rest a light injury. Since he'll be on break over the winter, Pontius probably won't be an in-form option for early year qualifying matches, but should be ready later in the year when MLS is once again in full action mode. The same goes for teammate DeLeon, whose sophomore season next year could prove the breakout year that gets him into the national team picture.
Gatt is in the same boat as Pontius -- a player who's been due a shot but has never gotten the timing quite right. Given that the Norwegian league runs from spring to fall, next summer could finally be the time when Gatt is both in form and demand.
Gyau is another speculative call. By next summer it will be much clearer if the still-developing attacker is in position to get a full team look. Given that he's one of the only pure wingers in the pool, a chance could well be worth a shot.
Strikers: Terrence Boyd, CJ Sapong, Aron Johansson
After a promising start with the national team, the reality of a deepening striking depth chart has started to set in for Boyd. The Gold Cup could be a perfect chance for him to get the reps he needs to gain the confidence necessary to help the U.S. down the stretch of qualifying.
Johansson, who may be set to make a switch of allegiance to the U.S. in the coming months, would be a great addition as both a forward and potentially a winger -- a spot he played up until this year. If he does file for a one-time switch from Iceland, the papers would likely come through sometime next spring, and the integration into the full team could start in earnest next summer.
Sapong is an MLS standout who could round out the roster, getting a longer look toward becoming a good option at the No. 9 for Klinsmann in a true 4-3-3.
By Brent Latham
ESPN INSIDER
Along with qualification for next year's Hexagonal, among the most useful spoils of the U.S. men's national team's win in Kansas City on Tuesday was the right to look ahead.
For Jurgen Klinsmann's team, 2013 now brings plenty to look forward to. Failure in the 2011 Gold Cup means there'll be no Confederations Cup in Brazil, but the yearlong qualification process and the midsummer 2013 Gold Cup will provide plenty of chances to compete.
The fixtures will be so numerous, in fact, that Klinsmann has already dropped some hints at sending a B team to the Gold Cup. We'll defer the discussion for now on whether that's a good idea -- let's just say Mexico managed to turn its whole program around three years ago in the 2009 Gold Cup by trouncing a U.S. B team with most of its starters, and the opportunity is ripe for the Americans to do much the same -- but the idea of a backup squad at least lends the chance to give the whole national team picture a rethink.
Klinsmann has talked a good game about attractive play since coming on board, but it's been pointed out frequently of late that the American style of play still has a long way to go to get to the level where U.S. soccer leadership and fans seem to want it.
Starting from scratch, then, with players specifically designed to fit into a more attractive 4-3-3, might even help things along. So let's try that exercise, creating a 23-player B team for next summer built primarily of younger players on the fringes of U.S. national team.
Goalkeepers: Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, Zac MacMath
Tim Howard and Brad Guzan aren't going anywhere for a while -- so we might as well stick with the guys the program has identified as the best potential heirs to the position.
Even after his Olympic debacle, Johnson has proved he deserves a chance as a full national team backup. Hamid and MacMath have been less consistent with their clubs, but as future competitors for the spot, they could also use the experience at this level.
Right backs: Eric Lichaj, Steve Beitashour
If Timmy Chandler is not in the mix by midsummer, he's not going to be at the World Cup in 2014. (If Chandler does make himself available, the Gold Cup would be a good chance for him to cut his teeth and repay some dues owed to the national team.) So the 2013 Gold Cup could well prove a trial for Steve Cherundolo's temporarily vacant backup spot.
Two years out from his last meaningful action with the American national team, Lichaj would clearly deserve another shot to prove his worth. Beitashour has shown at the MLS level that he's also a part of the right back discussion.
Center backs: Omar Gonzalez, George John, Matt Besler, Matt Hedges
Alongside Lichaj, Gonzalez has probably been the player most snubbed by Klinsmann. The serious knee injury earlier this year didn't help his progress, but Gonzalez should be back to full strength by early 2013, and ready to help a national team perennially thin on CB options. A Gold Cup cap would also remove the ever-present threat that the Mexican-American changes sides at some point (though young Mexican depth at CB is a primary factor making that scenario less probable).
Besler and John have proved solid MLS center backs for several seasons now, and would essentially be trying out to prove they can be just as serviceable for the national team as the likes of Clarence Goodson or a broken-down Oguchi Onyewu -- players who haven't always inspired full confidence in the back. Hedges is among several promising young MLS center backs who could fill out the roster and gain experience.
Left backs: Edgar Castillo, Adam Henley
Castillo has been a regular part of Klinsmann's teams, but has seldom gotten regular run-outs due to injury and Fabian Johnson's rock-solid starter status. The Gold Cup would be a good time for him to prove he can consistently do the defensive work needed at this level.
As for Henley, an 18-year-old tri-national left back currently turning out for Blackburn in the English Championship, the Gold Cup could prove a great time for Klinsmann to attempt to pry him away from England and Wales -- if it doesn't come too soon for the young Henley to make a commitment.
Defensive midfielders: Maurice Edu, Kyle Beckerman, Perry Kitchen or Amobi Okugo
If the No. 1 goal of this Gold Cup team is to try out some untested players, goal No. 1a would be to win a much-needed title after years of Mexican dominance in the region. To do that, leadership will be key, and a good place to provide that will be in the midfield. Thus the inclusion of two Klinsmann favorites who have fallen down the first-team pecking order: Edu and Beckerman.
Okugo and Kitchen are the opposite side of the coin -- two up-and-comers (in our Top 25 U-21 list) who could use the chance to apprentice for the national team in a meaningful competition.
Attacking midfield: Mix Diskerud, Joe Corona, Stuart Holden
In Klinsmann's 4-3-3 scheme, there's seldom a spot for a true No. 10. But against the minnows of CONCACAF in the group stage, the team will have a chance to let loose in attack. It would be informative to see Corona and Diskerud, a pair of Olympic standouts, get the chance to pull the strings.
Holden is a bit of a flier here, but he should finally be recovered from injury by mid-2013, and another shot with the national team could be timely for the once-promising midfielder.
Wingers: Chris Pontius, Josh Gatt, Nick DeLeon, Joe Gyau
Winger is a crucial position in making Klinsmann's 4-3-3 concept work, yet the U.S. has few true wing options to choose from. The first here, Pontius, was actually called into the U.S. camp earlier this month, but with the MLS stretch run approaching he declined to rest a light injury. Since he'll be on break over the winter, Pontius probably won't be an in-form option for early year qualifying matches, but should be ready later in the year when MLS is once again in full action mode. The same goes for teammate DeLeon, whose sophomore season next year could prove the breakout year that gets him into the national team picture.
Gatt is in the same boat as Pontius -- a player who's been due a shot but has never gotten the timing quite right. Given that the Norwegian league runs from spring to fall, next summer could finally be the time when Gatt is both in form and demand.
Gyau is another speculative call. By next summer it will be much clearer if the still-developing attacker is in position to get a full team look. Given that he's one of the only pure wingers in the pool, a chance could well be worth a shot.
Strikers: Terrence Boyd, CJ Sapong, Aron Johansson
After a promising start with the national team, the reality of a deepening striking depth chart has started to set in for Boyd. The Gold Cup could be a perfect chance for him to get the reps he needs to gain the confidence necessary to help the U.S. down the stretch of qualifying.
Johansson, who may be set to make a switch of allegiance to the U.S. in the coming months, would be a great addition as both a forward and potentially a winger -- a spot he played up until this year. If he does file for a one-time switch from Iceland, the papers would likely come through sometime next spring, and the integration into the full team could start in earnest next summer.
Sapong is an MLS standout who could round out the roster, getting a longer look toward becoming a good option at the No. 9 for Klinsmann in a true 4-3-3.
