Starting from the back:
Tim Howard is the obvious choice for Keeper, especially against a team such as Honduras.
Defense: With Cherundolo out, I think Klinsmann will try to use Chandler at the Right back, cup-tying him in the process. Bocenagra and Cameron, who is having a fantastic season at Stoke, will hold up the middle and Fabian Johnson will use his speed and skill set as a someone who also plays the midfield to affect the game at left back.
Midfield: This one was a bit tough and honestly I moved pieces around the most here. I couldn't find a formation to fit my true ideal (4-1-2-1-2) So I went with this instead. Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley in the center, though I imagine Jones playing a little more defensively, while Bradley will aid the attack, it fits both skill sets. Ideally I would have liked Dempsey up further, but in a basic 4-4-2, I think he fits the left mid position well. He has great speed and skill and he will get the ball more in the midfield, and I think the more often Dempsey has the ball, the better. On the other side, Graham Zusi has been solid for the U.S. His passing has been spot on and I think he will fit well in the right side role. Maurice Edu stays on the bench to relieve Jones in the second, and there are other options as well.
Finally, the forward position. At first I had only one striker, and it was Gomez... then Altidore... then Gomez, and so on. I think Klinsmann would favor Gomez if he chose one, but a combination of Herc and Jozy also seems like a pretty nice combination, with Eddie Johnson waiting in the wings if needed. Both of these strikers have been playing at the top of their game, which is what the U.S needs going into these qualifiers.
Overall, a 4-4-2 seems pretty basic, but I think it gives the U.S. balance while keeping a dangerous edge. Beating Honduras on foreign soil will not be easy, and it's extremely important for the U.S. to get the final round of qualifiers started on the right foot (so to speak), so that's why I believe Klinsmann will start with this lineup.
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Jared Emerson
almost 12 years
Starting from the back: Tim Howard is the obvious choice for Keeper, especially against a team such as Honduras. Defense: With Cherundolo out, I think Klinsmann will try to use Chandler at the Right back, cup-tying him in the process. Bocenagra and Cameron, who is having a fantastic season at Stoke, will hold up the middle and Fabian Johnson will use his speed and skill set as a someone who also plays the midfield to affect the game at left back. Midfield: This one was a bit tough and honestly I moved pieces around the most here. I couldn't find a formation to fit my true ideal (4-1-2-1-2) So I went with this instead. Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley in the center, though I imagine Jones playing a little more defensively, while Bradley will aid the attack, it fits both skill sets. Ideally I would have liked Dempsey up further, but in a basic 4-4-2, I think he fits the left mid position well. He has great speed and skill and he will get the ball more in the midfield, and I think the more often Dempsey has the ball, the better. On the other side, Graham Zusi has been solid for the U.S. His passing has been spot on and I think he will fit well in the right side role. Maurice Edu stays on the bench to relieve Jones in the second, and there are other options as well. Finally, the forward position. At first I had only one striker, and it was Gomez... then Altidore... then Gomez, and so on. I think Klinsmann would favor Gomez if he chose one, but a combination of Herc and Jozy also seems like a pretty nice combination, with Eddie Johnson waiting in the wings if needed. Both of these strikers have been playing at the top of their game, which is what the U.S needs going into these qualifiers. Overall, a 4-4-2 seems pretty basic, but I think it gives the U.S. balance while keeping a dangerous edge. Beating Honduras on foreign soil will not be easy, and it's extremely important for the U.S. to get the final round of qualifiers started on the right foot (so to speak), so that's why I believe Klinsmann will start with this lineup.