Starting line-up for June qualifiers (what I think would be best, not necessarily what I think JK will do):
Jozy - Incredible form this year. If he continues to struggle with his NT form, put in Gomez as a sub/start over Jozy in later games.
Fabian Johnson - Playing his preferred position as a winger. Time and time again he has shown his expertise going forward. Additionally, with starting Castillo, there is room for some very nice overlapping runs, with Castillo getting forward and Johnson being able to help help.
Clint - Starting of course, more as a second striker than a traditional #10.
LD - If he continues on the form of his last game, he needs to start. Probably the best National Team player (based only on his national team performances) ever. If he is healthy and in form, Jurgen should definitely start him.
Bradley & Jones - our two best center mids. They can play a sort of double pivot, with Bradley being the distributor and Jones being the more defensive destroyer, but both having the ability to switch if Jones treks up field.
Castillo - He has impressed me in his NT performances, and is a consistent starter on a very good Tijuana team. I think his attacking combined with Johnson's ability to defend would create a very formidable left flank, and help widen our play, something we have definitely needed in recent games.
Gonzo & Cameron - Gonzo is definitely a starter based on his recent form for club and country. I really like Cameron, but due to his lack of playing time at center back for Stoke, I would not mind seeing Besler or Bocanegra (depending on his form going into June) alongside Gonzo if Cameron struggles.
Dolo - He still has it. Playing well into his old age and overcoming an injury that had potential to derail his career in his old age (for soccer, that is), right back is his spot to lose.
Howard - Despite Guzan's fantastic season for Villa, and good performances in the recent games with Howard injured, Timmy is still our #1, as JK has reiterated. He is a top player, and does a great job both organizing the defense and stopping shots.
Subs: Guzan - very good keeper, would start for all but 10-15 national teams, top 5 or 6 keeper in the prem this year
Chandler - ability to play both RB and RW makes him valuable
Besler - showed well in Mexico and Costa Rica games
Graham Zusi - who has been been solid to good for the NT, I expect JK to start him for a game or two before giving way to Donovan
Maurice Edu - playing very well in Turkey, has the ability to play both CB and holding mid
Eddie Johnson - plays both left wing and striker, has been a favorite of JK recently
Gomez - always works hard for the NT, has played well for for the NT too, but just doesn't quite have Jozy's class in my opinion
Filling out the 23:
Bocanegra - His leadership will help the team, and if he is able to get into form between now and then, I could see him taking Besler's spot on the bench, or even starting
Josh Gatt - Has not been in good form lately, but his speed adds something to the team as a late sub. Right now he's not quite making the 18, but with an injury or uptick in form he could be right there (possibly taking EJ's spot)
Mix Diskerud - More creativity than possibly any other USMNT player. Another good sub, and a possiblity to make the 18 with any injury.
Danny Williams - Injured right now, but has shown flashes of brilliance at holding mid
Nick Rimando - JK's preferred #3, really have no preference on him vs. Sean Johnson.
Peering in:
John Anthony Brooks - would like to see him make the 23 with any injuries. He played quite well for Hertha Berlin, the top side in the Bundesliga 2. As a young German-American with great potential, I really would like to see him cap-tied.
Demarcus Beasley - Played very well against Costa Rica, not so much against Mexico (granted, he was playing out position). With Donovan back, and all of the full back/wingers healthy, I would not call him up, but it is a possibility, especially with any injury.
Terrence Boyd - A solid season for the young German-American. EJ's versatility and Gatt's speed give them both narrowly give them the nod over Boyd for me as potential subs, but Boyd definitely could make the 23 for the upcoming WCQs, and I would not be disappointed.
Joe Corona - A player who is playing well at the club level. Not quite there on the international level, but he could see a call-up.
Sacha Kljestan - A good creative center mid. Unfortunately for him, the NT has a bevy of center mids. When called on he has usually been used on out wide, where he is not very strong.
If a collection of any of the players listed are called up, I will have no problems unless one of my starters are left out. If JK wants to keep playing Fabian Johnson at left back, which plit seems he does, I would like to see either Dempsey out left and Zusi as an attacking mid, or Dempsey as a second striker type, and Gomez to the left.
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Ben Taylor
over 11 years
Starting line-up for June qualifiers (what I think would be best, not necessarily what I think JK will do): Jozy - Incredible form this year. If he continues to struggle with his NT form, put in Gomez as a sub/start over Jozy in later games. Fabian Johnson - Playing his preferred position as a winger. Time and time again he has shown his expertise going forward. Additionally, with starting Castillo, there is room for some very nice overlapping runs, with Castillo getting forward and Johnson being able to help help. Clint - Starting of course, more as a second striker than a traditional #10. LD - If he continues on the form of his last game, he needs to start. Probably the best National Team player (based only on his national team performances) ever. If he is healthy and in form, Jurgen should definitely start him. Bradley & Jones - our two best center mids. They can play a sort of double pivot, with Bradley being the distributor and Jones being the more defensive destroyer, but both having the ability to switch if Jones treks up field. Castillo - He has impressed me in his NT performances, and is a consistent starter on a very good Tijuana team. I think his attacking combined with Johnson's ability to defend would create a very formidable left flank, and help widen our play, something we have definitely needed in recent games. Gonzo & Cameron - Gonzo is definitely a starter based on his recent form for club and country. I really like Cameron, but due to his lack of playing time at center back for Stoke, I would not mind seeing Besler or Bocanegra (depending on his form going into June) alongside Gonzo if Cameron struggles. Dolo - He still has it. Playing well into his old age and overcoming an injury that had potential to derail his career in his old age (for soccer, that is), right back is his spot to lose. Howard - Despite Guzan's fantastic season for Villa, and good performances in the recent games with Howard injured, Timmy is still our #1, as JK has reiterated. He is a top player, and does a great job both organizing the defense and stopping shots. Subs: Guzan - very good keeper, would start for all but 10-15 national teams, top 5 or 6 keeper in the prem this year Chandler - ability to play both RB and RW makes him valuable Besler - showed well in Mexico and Costa Rica games Graham Zusi - who has been been solid to good for the NT, I expect JK to start him for a game or two before giving way to Donovan Maurice Edu - playing very well in Turkey, has the ability to play both CB and holding mid Eddie Johnson - plays both left wing and striker, has been a favorite of JK recently Gomez - always works hard for the NT, has played well for for the NT too, but just doesn't quite have Jozy's class in my opinion Filling out the 23: Bocanegra - His leadership will help the team, and if he is able to get into form between now and then, I could see him taking Besler's spot on the bench, or even starting Josh Gatt - Has not been in good form lately, but his speed adds something to the team as a late sub. Right now he's not quite making the 18, but with an injury or uptick in form he could be right there (possibly taking EJ's spot) Mix Diskerud - More creativity than possibly any other USMNT player. Another good sub, and a possiblity to make the 18 with any injury. Danny Williams - Injured right now, but has shown flashes of brilliance at holding mid Nick Rimando - JK's preferred #3, really have no preference on him vs. Sean Johnson. Peering in: John Anthony Brooks - would like to see him make the 23 with any injuries. He played quite well for Hertha Berlin, the top side in the Bundesliga 2. As a young German-American with great potential, I really would like to see him cap-tied. Demarcus Beasley - Played very well against Costa Rica, not so much against Mexico (granted, he was playing out position). With Donovan back, and all of the full back/wingers healthy, I would not call him up, but it is a possibility, especially with any injury. Terrence Boyd - A solid season for the young German-American. EJ's versatility and Gatt's speed give them both narrowly give them the nod over Boyd for me as potential subs, but Boyd definitely could make the 23 for the upcoming WCQs, and I would not be disappointed. Joe Corona - A player who is playing well at the club level. Not quite there on the international level, but he could see a call-up. Sacha Kljestan - A good creative center mid. Unfortunately for him, the NT has a bevy of center mids. When called on he has usually been used on out wide, where he is not very strong. If a collection of any of the players listed are called up, I will have no problems unless one of my starters are left out. If JK wants to keep playing Fabian Johnson at left back, which plit seems he does, I would like to see either Dempsey out left and Zusi as an attacking mid, or Dempsey as a second striker type, and Gomez to the left.