- The 0-0 draw with Scotland ensured the US will finish 2013 with the best winning percentage during a calendar year in U.S. MNT history.
- Tim Howard sits one victory away from the all-time record of 53 wins set by Kasey Keller (53-27-18).
- The Austria match is the final US match of the year and kicks off at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna at 2:45 p.m. ET that will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network and UniMas.
On Tuesday the United States Men’s National Team will look to put last week’s lackluster Scotland performance behind them and kick-on against Austria in Vienna.
When looking at the Scotland match or Tuesday’s contest with Austria one must keep in mind that they are friendlies. As in, exhibition matches. Glorified training sessions. Nothing more.
So while performances like last Friday’s goalless draw will undoubtedly impart a sense of dread upon USMNT fans, let’s keep an open mind as Jurgen Klinsmann tinkers away. The US coach is in the midst of determining who will snap up the final roster spots for Brazil, which is why guys like Sacha Kljestan (attacking midfield), Mix Diskerud (holding midfield) and Eddie Johnson (left wing) were all played out of position against Scotland.
It was a test to see who possesses versatility. Diskerud passed. Kljestan and Johnson, not so much. Against Austria on Tuesday, expect the probing to continue although the aforementioned trio may return to their typical positions. The center-back partnership of Geoff Cameron and Omar Gonzalez, which failed to impress against Scotland, may also get another turn while Eric Lichaj, who came on for the injured Brad Evans on Friday, may have another opportunity to prove his worth.
Aron Johannsson is another player we can expect to be in the starting XI against Austria. The AZ forward has enjoyed a spectacular season in Dutch football and was easily the most dangerous man on the pitch against Scotland. There’s little doubt that Brazil is in Johannsson’s future so now it’s about figuring out who he works well with and where he best fits on the field. Don’t be surprised if Klinsmann changes the formation to a 4-4-2 to see how the Icelandic wonder can work with a guy like EJ.
The biggest question to answer on Tuesday, however, is whether Kljestan or Brek Shea deserve a spot on the squad in Brazil.
Kljestan has been fantastic for Anderlecht, owning his role in the holding midfield. Playing in the Champions League has provided the 28-year-old with experiences that few other USMNT players possess, yet he rarely seems to play as well for country as he does club. With the stiff competition in the USMNT holding midfield, he’ll need to show Klinsmann something special if he wants to be selected for next summer’s tournament.
There is no bigger dark horse than Shea. Injuries have hampered his growth and playing time at Stoke City, yet the blonde ambition still possesses a unique and explosive skill-set that plays well in a USMNT kit. He is a role player but a one with such devastating speed and dribbling ability that he continually manages to give opposing defenses nightmares. If he can pull off something special against Austria, he might just punch his ticket to Brazil.
Despite being ranked 53rd in the world, Austria boasts some impressive talent. Aston Villa winger Andreas Weimann has devastating speed and a knack for goal while Stoke new-boy Marko Arnautovic is a confident, powerful attacker that looks to take defenders on.
The midfield is run by Schalke’s Christian Fuchs along with German club players Emanuel Pogatetz (Nuremberg) and Sebastien Proedel (Werder Bremen) and Austria Vienna duo Manuel Ortlechner and Markus Suttner. In defense Austria possesses one of their greatest weapons, Bayern Munich full-back David Alaba who gives side’s problems with his strong tackling and ability to shoot from outside.
What They’re Saying
Austria coach Marcel Koller: I saw five recent games and they used different players each time. They have a couple of excellent strikers, players with great individual qualities who can easily score.
Prediction
The US make up for last week to earn a hard-worked 2-0 victory with goals by Johannsson and Diskerud.