DENVER—Even before the release of Brain Straus’ Sporting News report, American fans were in panic mode. The very green back line has many nervous about how they’ll respond against the attacks of Costa Rica and Mexico. Geoff Cameron, on the other hand, is not concerned.

“Everybody can say that we’re inexperienced but everybody knows how to play,” he said after training Wednesday. “We’ve got guys in front of us, we’ve got Clint [Dempsey]. You’ve got to start somewhere. You get your games in, and I think we’re all pretty confident that we can get the job done. It’s just a matter of performing Friday.”

The Stoke City man is the old hand of the back line with six previous World Cup qualifying caps, and he finds it important to show leadership in the absence of center back Carlos Bocanegra.

“Yeah, obviously there’s more weight to our shoulders,” Cameron said. “Carlos is the captain. He’s got the experience of a few World Cups and how many caps he has is crazy, but for me I got to play alongside of him and learn as much as I could from him.

“He’s still a part of the team. Unfortunately he’s not here right now, but obviously filling in that position, you have to lead out of the back. We’ve had a good week of trying to get communication down with one another and get reps in and obviously that’s important to get the feel for one another and get accustomed to each other on the back four.”

While both opponents this time around boast potent attacks, the team is focused on the first test against the Ticos. Cameron said the Stars and Stripes are well aware of their talents, especially those of Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio.

“They’re good getting the ball out wide and serving the ball in the box,” Cameron said of the forward who may have picked up an injury in training earlier in the week. “Saborio, he’s a good player. His movement off the ball is pretty potent. He kinda comes in, tries to draw you in a little bit and then he falls back kind of off your back shoulder, so you’ve got to be aware of those type of things. They’ve got players that are good technically. They’re faster, they’re ambitious, and they’ll just run at you, so you’ve got to be prepared.”

Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) is a writer based in Arizona and is ASN's CONCACAF correspondent.