Is this Jurgen Klinsmann’s hardest decision as USMNT head coach?
It has to be up there.
As Sunday’s Gold Cup final against Panama draws closer, Klinsmann has an incredible selection conundrum to unravel.
With so many of his players performing to a level never seen before, the USA’s squad is stronger than ever. But, as tends to happen in soccer, you can only select 11 players to go out there between the white lines.
Klinsmann must have a good idea of who he will select, but there are certain areas where two or three players are vying for the same position. There will be some very disappointed men on the subs bench at Soldier Field when Sunday afternoon’s final begins.
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So let’s break this down by each position and see who may have the edge. As you’ll see, Klinsmann has plenty of options.
Goalkeeper: Perhaps the easiest decision of the bunch to start off with, Nick Rimando has done extremely well in the Gold Cup, thwarting El Salvador superbly when the US had a slender 2-1 lead in the quarterfinal. Expect him to get the nod between the sticks.
Defense: This will be a somewhat tricky decision for Klinsmann, as Clarence Goodson played so well in the semifinal on Wednesday night. Does he bring back Omar Gonzalez to partner Matt Besler? Those two were the first-choice pairing during the USA’s recent World Cup qualifiers and handled the pressure superbly. Left back is set with captain DaMarcus Beasley, although he has been found out a few times. And Michael Parkhurst will put in another solid shift at right back.
Midfield: Perhaps the only man guaranteed a spot in the US midfield is Kyle Beckerman. Real Salt Lake’s dread-locked genius was incredible against Honduras, reading the game superbly and cutting off the supply line to the Honduran forwards. His role as destroyer is safe. But the other central midfield spots are between Stuart Holden, Joe Corona and Mix Diskerud. That is a very tough choice. Holden may have the edge and he put in a great shift on Wednesday, but Diskerud and Corona have both shown more going forward. It depends if Klinsi will play a diamond or a flat four across the middle, Alejandro Bedoya and Jose Torres did well out wide against Honduras, especially Bedoya, but he may opt to leave out the winger and bring Corona in to the middle to create a more compact unit. Huge call for the center of the field.
Forward: Seattle Sounders forward Eddie Johnson has grabbed his chance with both hands and looks set to lead the line against Panama. And Landon Donovan should operate just underneath him. But will Klinsmann decide to play Donovan out wide and leave EJ up front on his own? And what about Chris Wondolowski? I think we will see the San Jose man come on in the second half, especially if the US need a goal to clinch the Gold Cup.