U.S. Men's National Team
Where Is Brad Evans? Out Injured, Will Miss Mexico
Who is going to play right back for the United States against Mexico? Brad Evans was among the frontrunners, but a lingering calf injury has led Jurgen Klinsmann to drop Evans from the current squad.
IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER when Steve Cherundolo was around.
The recently retired Hannover captain locked down the U.S. right back position for more than a decade, but as his body began to break down Jurgen Klinsmann held open tryouts to determine Cherundolo's replacement. Tony Beltran, Geoff Cameron, Timothy Chandler, Brad Evans, Michael Parkhurst, and DeAndre Yedlin have all seen minutes at right back under Klinsmann, with Evans and Cameron emerging as frontrunners for the 2014 World Cup.
Evans might have been looking toward Wednesday's friendly against Mexico (11 p.m. Eastern; ESPN2, UniMas) as an opportunity to solidify his hold on the position, but a calf injury suffered March 15 against Toronto FC will now prevent him from playing. Klinsmann, who attended last night's Real Salt Lake-Toronto FC match, called in RSL RB Beltran to take Evans' roster spot. Beltran will join three teammates in Arizona—Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil, and Nick Rimando.
POLL: WHO SHOULD START AT RB FOR THE U.S. IN BRAZIL?
With Cameron staying in England with Stoke City and Evans out injured, somebody will have a chance to step up and show that he deserves consideration for one of the 23 roster spots.
Parkhurst, who performed admirably during last summer's Gold Cup, seems likely to start. But Yedlin is a bright young talent and a potential game-changer for Klinsmann, a swift fullback with an eye for attack. Do they split time? Is Yedlin training with the team in preparation for 2014 or with 2018 in mind?
American Soccer Now will have four journalists in Arizona for the Mexico match, so check back often for updates on the right back position and more.
Who would you like to see starting at right back against Mexico? And against Ghana on June 12? Give us your take below.
