Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; USA fans in the grandstands hold a sign up for Graham Zusi during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Amazonia. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Much has been made of the possible return of Jozy Altidore, and rightfully so. The USMNT had no legitimate replacement for the physical lone forward. Clint Dempsey performed admirably in the first two matches against Ghana and Portugal, but it was evident that the Yanks had nobody that could excel in a hold-up role the way that Altidore was before injuring his hamstring while making a run in the left channel. Regardless of whether or not Altidore gets his number called by Jurgen Klinsmann, the play from the wingers needs to be better than it was throughout group play to make any sort of run in the tournament.
Graham Zusi has been the best chance creator in MLS over the past few seasons and showed flashes of brilliance in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup. With his clever passing in the run of play and his beautifully delivered set piece, it appeared as though Zusi had taken the step necessary to be an impact player in Brazil.
However, it has been a rough tournament for Zusi thus far. Outside of the corner kick that John Brooks headed home to steal three points from Ghana, the Sporting KC star has failed to provide much of anything in the attack. His set pieces, an area in which he had appeared to improve drastically in recently, have been next to awful through three matches. Whether it be a corner sent far too long or a free kick sent short of everyone, the touch has simply not been there on dead-ball situations.
On the other side, Alejandro Bedoya has been given the majority of the minutes, and like Zusi, he has struggled mightily. Outside of a dangerous shot attempt in added time against Germany after coming off the bench, Bedoya has failed to be dangerous at all throughout group play. Bedoya wasn’t expected to contribute to the attack as much as Zusi, but it is safe to say that he has failed to live up to Klinsmann’s expectations for him.
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The majority of the chances that have been created from out wide were a result of Fabian Johnson getting forward and involved in the attack. Johnson has been magnificent in the first three matches, but if the wingers could create a few more opportunities for the U.S. to score, the right back could focus more on his defensive shape and pick his spots to get forward, rather than being forced to move higher up the pitch every time the Americans have possession.
Klinsmann shocked nearly everybody when he inserted DeAndre Yedlin into the match against Portugal. Not only did the 20-year old right back find himself on the pitch on the biggest stage, but he found himself out of position, in the midfield after replacing Graham Zusi. However, Yedlin showed glimpses, using his blinding speed to reek havoc in the final third and his energy to recover and provide cover for Fabian Johnson. Ultimately, Yedlin provided the first pass that found its way to Clint Dempsey for the second and go-ahead goal.
Jun 16, 2014; Natal, BRAZIL; USA midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) reacts against Ghana during the 2014 World Cup at Estadio das Dunas. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Yedlin came on late once again against Germany and performed well for a second consecutive match. The eye-opening play of Yedlin has to have Klinsmann at least considering starting the Seattle Sounders youngster or bringing him in much earlier than he has previously.
Brad Davis, Julian Green, and Mix Diskerud are the other midfielders on the roster, and Davis did nothing to help his cause in a start against Germany. The left-footed set piece specialist finished with just 21 touches in 59 touches before being replaced by Bedoya. Davis could more than likely deliver better service on restarts than Zusi has, but don’t expect to see him against Belgium. His lack of speed and athleticism left Demarcus Beasley on an island at left back far too often during Thursday’s match.
Julian Green made the 23-man roster, but nobody expected him to see any minutes at just 18 years old. Diskerud, on the other hand, has somewhat shockingly not had his number called yet, despite scoring a goal off the bench against Azerbaijan leading up to the World Cup. If the starting wingers fail to produce anything, it would not be shocking if Diskerud was inserted to provide some energy, but regardless, Klinsmann better have a short leash with whoever he gives the starting nod to.
The other and final option would be starting the way that they did against Ghana. Klinsmann elected to start the tournament in the diamond midfield, with Bedoya flanked out wide right, Jermaine Jones flanked out to the left, and Michael Bradley and Kyle Beckerman at the top and bottom of the diamond respectively.
Jones was the star of the match against Ghana, but there is no question that the Yanks have performed much better in the 4-2-3-1 that they switched to in the second match after losing Jozy Altidore to injury. Bedoya could be replaced in the midfield if the diamond is used, but it will be interesting to see if they do a better job of keeping possession than the first match.
Altidore’s evaluation and health will play a big role in how Klinsmann elects to play. If Jozy can start, does he elect to go back to two forwards with Clint Dempsey, and if not, what role does Dempsey end up playing?
There are plenty of questions to be answered just hours before kick-off, but for the U.S. to have a chance, they must create many more opportunities from the channels. If not, Belgium will willingly accept the challenge of trying to stifle a one dimensional team in terms of the attack.