The United States Men’s National Team roster for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico and Costa Rica is out. Putting aside the criticisms of Jurgen Klinsmann bringing four goalkeepers, the exclusion of players like Benny Feilhaber, and a potential shortage of midfield depth, there is one glaring mistake that the boss keeps making.
He still refuses to select a full time left back to fill out his back line. Fabian Johnson has served as the defacto left back for quite some time now. That’s a role that he is perfectly capable of filling, but its also not the best place for him.
Johnson is one of those “jack of all trades” types who can pretty much do anything you ask him to. He plays in that back four for his country. He mostly sits in the left midfield for Borussia Monchengladbach. He has also seen minutes on the right side and, believe it or not, as a center forward. His most useful spot in the field, though, is as a wide midfielder creating chances along the left flank.
However, if Johnson starts playing a more useful position, who is there to call up in his place? Part of the reason he is back there is due to a perceived lack of options at left back. Well, here are some potential replacement options.
Five Players That Can Solve the USMNT Left Back Problem
Taylor Kemp
Taylor Kemp is the 26-year-old left back for D.C. United. He made 31 starts in the nation’s capital this year while grading out as the top left back in MLS with more than 20 appearances according to WhoScored.com ratings. He is at just the right age to be productive at the national team level. He’s sort of a late bloomer. He was only capped once at the U20 level with the national team, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for ignoring what he can bring to the table right now. He’s a capable defender why can also surge forward on the attack. He’s a strong crosser who has four assists on the season for D.C. United. He’s also come out of the back and scored twice for the club.
Justin Morrow
Justin Morrow is the regular left back for Toronto FC, who are playing for the Eastern Conference title over the next couple weeks. He’s a little older than Kemp, at 29. He’s been capped with the senior national team in a friendly against Canada and was an unused sub in a couple World Cup Qualifiers back in 2013. He’s good for a couple interceptions a game in MLS this year and also adept at blocking shots and clearing chances.
Marc Burch
Yes, the starter for Colorado Rapids, the top defensive team in MLS, Marc Burch, is a little long in the tooth at 32-years-old. He’s still got what it takes to defend well at that level. A defense first full back, he started 28 times for the Rapids this year with an average of 2.1 interceptions, 2.6 clearances, and less than a foul per game. He’s not the option for the future, but I’d take him as a stop gap in one match against an experienced opponent.
Jorge Villafaña
Jorge Villafaña was one of the most important members of the Portland Timbers title run last season. His tenacious defending combined with ability to run up the left flank was paramount to their playoff run. His presence was sorely missed this season as the team went from conceding the second fewest goals in the Western Conference to conceding the most. Villafaña was the only starter from last year’s unite to depart the club. He has since gone on to stat 19 matches for Santos Laguna in Liga MX. He’s a dual national and is also eligible to play for Mexico. Not that I think El Tri will come calling for him, but I’m sure he’d accept an invitation if they did. Klinsmann would be smart to snatch him up first.
DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Beasley is the elder statesman of this list at the ripe old age of 34. I have no doubts in my mind that he would be capable of dusting off his boots and helping the cause one last time against Mexico. He retired from international duty after the 2014 World Cup, but he came back once at the behest of Jurgen Klinsmann, so why not do it again? He’s still productive with the Houston Dynamo as both a defender and overlapping attacker. Why not at least ask him? Worst that can happen is he would say no.
So, there are five potential options for Jurgen Klinsmann and the USMNT that could allow Fabian Johnson to play in his more natural role in the wide midfield. This would give the side better defensive discipline by having an honest to God left back in the team and enhance the attack by allowing Johnson to make full use of his talents.
