(EDITORIAL) – Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named his 23-man roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. This group will participate in the Group Stage of the tournament, which begins on July 7 in Frisco, TX. After the group stage, teams can make up to six changes to their roster with the other players available on their provisional roster. The 35-man provisional roster for all countries can be found here.
This press release was a bit more anti-climactic than past USMNT roster announcements, and the field of players had already been narrowed down two weeks ago. However, there were a few surprises. As always with a Klinsmann roster selection, there’s plenty of talking points and controversy. Let’s break down this USMNT Gold Cup Roster.
1. Goalkeepers: Rimando Will Push Guzan
A lot has been made of the goalkeeping competition (real or not) with Tim Howard still on his national team sabbatical for a few more months. This past year has been about the competition between Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando for the starting job in Howard’s absence. Klinsmann has also identified a potential next-in-line in Club Leon’s William Yarborough.
An argument can be made that Rimando deserves a shot at starting going forward. He’s been one of the best and most consistent goalies in MLS for years. When called up to the USMNT, he rarely disappoints. At 5′ 10”, the RSL man punches above his weight.
The counter-argument is that Guzan plays in the more difficult EPL. I say it doesn’t matter as long as Klinsmann doesn’t make Guzan feel entitled to start. This competition (real or perceived) will allow Rimando to push Guzan. Rimando is reliable and will show up consistently for the squad. He is a team guy and being given little hope at starting won’t reduce his efforts in training. He’ll force the younger and more talented Guzan to match and surpass him.
Both of them will provide quality in net for the United States, regardless. No concerns at this position, unlike . . .
2. Center Back Familiarity Level: Blind Date
Klinsmann called in Ventura Alvarado, John Anthony Brooks, Omar Gonzalez, and possibly Brad Evans as his center backs. Of these four, the pair that has seen the most time together are Alvarado and Brooks. They’ve played together in five matches, all in 2015.
Gonzalez has played well this year for the LA Galaxy, especially of late. His only USMNT appearance of 2015 came in April against Mexico. Evans only recently started playing at CB for the Seattle Sounders. It’s unclear if this experiment will ultimately be a success or failure for Seattle in 2015.
Alvarado has not looked great in the caps he has gotten. Putting Evans out there in a new position with players he’s not that familiar with would be crazy even for Klinsmann. The logical choice then would be to pair Brooks with Gonzalez.
The problem here is that they’re too similar: physical defenders who are good in the air. They also both have a reputation for simple mistakes at critical moments. Gonzalez has broken his habit of ball watching in the last two years. There’s no doubt Brooks has talent, but at 22 years old, he’s still a bit raw. The European friendlies also show he’s a bit lost when he’s one of the more senior defenders on the back line. His Soccer IQ might still be in development. Which brings me to my main complaint . . .
How do you not call in Matt Besler? This has to be Klinsmann giving Sporting KC a break. Besler’s easily the smartest CB in the USMNT pool. He played admirably in Brazil and the best CB pairing might still be him and Gonzalez. Besler knows how to organize a back line and put out fires before they start. He won an MLS Cup with Aurelien Collin, so he knows how to play with that type of partner. His cerebral skills allow for Gonzalez to do his thing physically. This plays to Gonzalez’s strengths and minimizes potential risk when a mistake is made.
Familiarity cannot be overvalued either. Klinsmann has been experimenting with lineups and formations since the World Cup. But next month, the games matter. At some point, a close to first team needs to go out and play a game together to build chemistry. All this tinkering has used up that valuable time.
Besler and Gonzalez may already be approaching their ceilings as professionals. They may not be the best individuals CBs the USMNT has come 2018. They may not be the best CB tandem come 2018. But they’re arguably two of the better individuals right now. They’re probably the best pair right now. Alvarado and Brooks are a half-baked pair at best. Any other combination of these four would be a Center Back Blind Date.
3. Jozy Backup Plan
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey are locks to start for the USMNT. Klinsmann did not have a backup plan for Altidore in Brazil. Neither Aaron Johannsson nor Chris Wondolowski can play the hold up role like Altidore. Neither are good enough with their back to goal. Who knew Eddie Johnson‘s retirement would leave such a big hole?
Enter Gyasi Zardes. While he is listed as a midfielder, positions are fluid with Klinsmann. Zardes has played as a striker for the Galaxy most of the past two seasons. He even started up top against the Netherlands, scoring his first USMNT goal in the process.
He’s not Altidore. He’s not even close. But he’s shown with the Galaxy that he can get the job done. He’s much more comfortable in the #9 role. He can also pressure the back line well. When Zardes is paired with a smart striker who can guide him, he gets into dangerous positions. When the team behind him can get him the ball in said dangerous positions, he can finish.
The USMNT cannot siphon the offense through Zardes the way they can through Altidore. But should Altidore go down, there’s a simple fix available that can get the job done.
4. A Collection Of Other Thoughts
I have no idea what Brad Davis and Wondo are doing on this roster. They’re both having decent MLS seasons. Wondo’s second in the Golden Boot race. But they’re both old and neither have shown much at the international level. Davis’s only true value is as a left footed option on set pieces.
This midfield group is extremely talented and diverse. Every player brings something different. This gives Klinsmann plenty of options with the formation, and depth at almost every role. Benny Feilhaber should be in this squad instead Mix Diskerud,but other than he and Davis, no complaints.
With lots of uncertainty about the full back situation, the USMNT back line is basically Soccer Frankenstein. Deandre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson might be in the midfield. Tim Ream deserves this call up, but just like the potential issues with center back pairs, there’s a lack of familiarity. Timmy Chandler appears disinterested in defending at times. For all we know, Evans was called in specifically to play right back again. Also, why go through the Brek Shea experiment, have him on the preliminary roster, but then not call him in? All these changes could make the lives of the starting CBs harder than they already were. Put this part here. Take off that part and replace it with another. It’s alive . . . ?
All of the above aside, this is still a very talented and experienced USMNT roster. The goal and the expectation should be to win the 2015 Gold Cup.
Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images
