The United States will go into the World Cup with a settled line-up, key players in-form, and three victories prior to the tournament.
The United States defeated Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Nigeria in the lead-up to the World Cup, with their most recent victory coming against the Super Eagles on Saturday.
When Jurgen Klinsmann announced his 23-man-squad, there was some concern over who would fill key positions. However, the three friendlies – and especially the Nigeria match – have shown who the German coach will use in the starting XI and as key substitutes.
Jozy Altidore’s poor form for Sunderland this season had carried over to the national team. His brace against Nigeria on Saturday were his first goals for club or country since December, a 27-match streak. Particularly impressive was his second goal, where he collected at pace and made a move to put the ball on his right in space before launching a blistering shot past Vincent Enyeama.
Chris Wondolowski started the United State’s 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan with Altidore but Dempsey was always going to be the second striker in Klinsmann’s 4-2-3-1/4-5-1/4-4-2 diamond. However, Altidore’s inclusion may have been in doubt if he had failed to score in these friendlies.
With that settled, Klinsmann’s biggest decisions are who to play on the wings, and he used a few different combinations in the United States’ friendlies. Against Nigeria, the Yanks played more of a 4-2-3-1 which they will likely use when facing Ghana. Kyle Beckerman was paired with Jermaine Jones as deeper-lying midfielders who can provide cover for the fullback going forward, as well as general defensive support against the quality forwards the United States’ will face.
Out wide, Klinsmann has settled on DeMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson as his fullbacks. Beasley is the most experienced fullback on the roster with over 100 caps. Johnson started the Azerbaijan and Nigeria matches and played well enough to probably warrant a starting nod. DeAndre Yedlin, the surprise inclusion on this squad, made two substitute appearances but did not figure into the Nigeria match.
During the friendlies, Alejandro Bedoya, Graham Zusi, and Brad Davis were the wide midfielders but it looks like Bedoya and Zusi will be the possibilities for the right midfield place in a 4-2-3-1. If the United States uses a diamond formation, both would probably start and move Beckerman to the bench.
On the backline, the matches confirmed that Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler will be the starters in Brazil. Omar Gonzalez, who as recently as a year ago was an assumed starter, played poorly and was responsible for Nigeria’s only goal.
The results were overall positive for the United States but a few weaknesses were exposed. Turkey and Azerbaijan both exploited gaps on the wings, which may have prompted the switch to a 4-2-3-1. However, with Altidore breaking his scoreless streak, the United States may be one of the in-form squads going into the World Cup. In the face of the quality opposition they will face, they may well need to be.
