Analysis
Battered U.S. Roster Faces Stiff Challenge Abroad
Jermaine Jones experiment over
Klinsmann did not explicitly say that the Jermaine Jones-to-central defense experiment was officially over, but it sure sounded like it was. Even with the German-born Jones now ruled out for the upcoming games, the initial announcement sent a strong signal about where Jones will likely play whenever he returns.
“He’s going to be back in midfield because of the fact that we have so many high-quality center backs,” Klnsmann told U.S. Soccer. “With the discovery of Ventura Alvarado who won the CONCACAF Champions League with Club America, we think we have a very strong and stable backline and we don’t need Jermaine in the center back role.”
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That is welcome news to U.S. fans because after six months, the experiment simply was not working—neither with club nor country. Over and over we saw Jones getting beaten in the air and pulled out of position when he tried to push forward. And he often attempted plays that defenders should not risk without players behind them.
The move to central defense almost seemed a bit desperate when there was no need for it. There are some very promising young central defenders in the U.S. setup, including some still trying to break into the team.
Jones is a midfielder, plain and simple, and he has been very good at the position throughout his career. Klinsmann is wise to use these valuable friendlies as an opportunity to give a backline time to build chemistry.
Agudelo and Johannsson Need to Step Up
The players who stand the most to gain on this roster are Juan Agudelo and Aron Johannsson. Due to the absences of Jozy Altidore (injury) and Clint Dempsey (personal), others will need to lead the attack. Agudelo is playing terrific soccer for the Revolution right now and enjoyed a strong outing against Mexico last month. Johannsson had a phenomenal ending to the Eredivisie , carrying AZ Alkmaar into the Europa League.
One of the lessons learned from the 2014 World Cup is that Klinsmann had no Plan B up top when Altidore pulled up lame 20 minutes into the tournament opener against Ghana.
Klinsmann needs to groom quality alternatives up top, and these two matches will give him a chance to do just that. If Agudelo and Johannsson can show well in these games, they will both be locks for this summer's Gold Cup and will provide the coach with much-needed attack alternatives.
Alvarado looks like he is here to stay
Ventura Alvarado earned his first call-up and caps in March. He then earned his first start in an impressive win over Mexico last month. Klinsmann's recent comments suggest that the Phoenix native is going to have a place in the team for the foreseeable future.
It all happened very quickly.
Alvarado only emerged as a starter for Club America in December, helping his team win Liga MX Apertura title. Then he helped guide the club to the CONCACAF Champions League title. Klinsmann is now banking that a Gold Cup could be Alvarado’s third major title in a row.
A slew of injuries
There are several injury concerns to keep an eye on for the United States. Geoff Cameron and Greg Garza were held out of this roster to take care of minor injuries. Alejandro Bedoya reportedly is missing these games due to a meniscus problem in his knee. Of course, Altidore’s hamstring will be one to follow as the Gold Cup draws closer.
Am told Geoff Cameron and Greg Garza were omitted in order to take care of niggling injuries following long season. #usmnt
— Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) May 31, 2015
Making matters worse, Jermaine Jones and Brad Evans both were forced to leave their respective games on Sunday. Jones will miss the match with a groin injury; no replacement will be named.
The Netherlands and Germany are difficult opponents in the best of times; the U.S. doesn't want to send a B team to Europe face these powerhouse teams.
Scrap the Substitutions
Klinsmann has claimed that substandard player fitness contributed to the team's late collapses over the past 12 months or so. Perhaps. But the coach's substitution strategy, designed to get more players a taste of the action, is also part of the problem.
For example, Michael Orozco was playing well against Switzerland in the March friendly with the U.S. team up 1-0. He was taken out at halftime to give Alavarado a chance. The Swiss scored a late equalizer. If the game was important, it's doubtful Klinsmann would remove a player who was holding his own in the backline.
It's time to turn the page on experimenting and doling out playing time just to give players a cap or two.
Yes, these are merely friendlies, but by the time the Gold Cup begins in July it will be more than a year since the U.S. men have played a game that mattered. By treating these two matches as more than friendlies, Klinsmann can increase the team's intensity and try to put the team's late collapses in the rearview mirror.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
