This is assuming Donovan is back at good form, and Brek Shea is earning solid playing time at Stoke. Altidore is having a career season, and Gomez is definitely having a good run of form (although granted, we're talking about over a year from now so it could dip before then) which gives us 2 solid attacking options up front. Donovan and Shea, if they are both fit and playing regularly, can wreak havoc on the most professional of defenses. Dempsey in the attacking midfield role gives yet another great attacking option, as well as quite good passing, and it leaves Michael Bradley to be the field general in the middle providing a fantastic defensive presence. I could conceivably see a couple other options in the back 4, especially at center back, with Brooks the shakiest of the starters I've picked. In the limited opportunity I've had to see him, I was impressed, and I think he'd do a good job in this starting lineup. Geoff Cameron is also not a sure thing to start since he's been playing fullback for Stoke. However, the fact that he can start as a defender in the EPL makes his credentials more impressive so I chose him. Fabian Johnson I believe is the most solid pick to start in the back line. He's got the pace to run up in attack as well as come back in defense. Cherundolo, while lacking the pace of Johnson, gives a great veteran presence to this back line. Finally, I picked Guzan for now as the goalkeeper simply because I've been extremely impressed with him at Aston Villa this season. He's been a bright spot in an otherwise extremely ugly campaign for them. However, a healthy Tim Howard would most likely get the nod over Guzan. But, to be arguing over goalkeepers such as Howard and Guzan shows how strong the lineup of American goalkeepers is. And, there you have it, my proposed starting 11 for the USMNT.
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Casey Joel Flynt
almost 12 years
This is assuming Donovan is back at good form, and Brek Shea is earning solid playing time at Stoke. Altidore is having a career season, and Gomez is definitely having a good run of form (although granted, we're talking about over a year from now so it could dip before then) which gives us 2 solid attacking options up front. Donovan and Shea, if they are both fit and playing regularly, can wreak havoc on the most professional of defenses. Dempsey in the attacking midfield role gives yet another great attacking option, as well as quite good passing, and it leaves Michael Bradley to be the field general in the middle providing a fantastic defensive presence. I could conceivably see a couple other options in the back 4, especially at center back, with Brooks the shakiest of the starters I've picked. In the limited opportunity I've had to see him, I was impressed, and I think he'd do a good job in this starting lineup. Geoff Cameron is also not a sure thing to start since he's been playing fullback for Stoke. However, the fact that he can start as a defender in the EPL makes his credentials more impressive so I chose him. Fabian Johnson I believe is the most solid pick to start in the back line. He's got the pace to run up in attack as well as come back in defense. Cherundolo, while lacking the pace of Johnson, gives a great veteran presence to this back line. Finally, I picked Guzan for now as the goalkeeper simply because I've been extremely impressed with him at Aston Villa this season. He's been a bright spot in an otherwise extremely ugly campaign for them. However, a healthy Tim Howard would most likely get the nod over Guzan. But, to be arguing over goalkeepers such as Howard and Guzan shows how strong the lineup of American goalkeepers is. And, there you have it, my proposed starting 11 for the USMNT.