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USMNT Projected Starting XI Vs. Chile

By Zach Galloway

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The USMNT ended 2014 on a bit of a sour note with a crushing defeat against Ireland. They enjoyed a rather successful 2014 overall though, culminating in inspiring a nation throughout the World Cup in Brazil. It is a new year now and with that, comes new ideas and experiments and players.

One of the bigger rumors swirling throughout USMNT camp is that Jurgen Klinsmann may be experimenting with a new formation and one that includes only three men in the back. The 3-5-2 formation is one that brings about a lot of mixed emotions.

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If it works, it can be great and lead to a very successful side, but if it fails, it shows. It also requires a specific crop of players, especially on the defensive side of the field. With only three true defenders, they need to be strong, compact and the margin of error is much smaller.

Now for all we know, Klinsmann may have tried this formation in camp and hated it, but if he continues with it and gives a run out in games, it will definitely be scrutinized. For the purpose of predicting the starting XI for tomorrow’s game against Chile, I will say this rumor is true and the 3-5-2 will get its shot.

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    • With USMNT travelling to Chile for the game, I think Klinsmann will look towards a fairly veteran lineup even though a lot of youngsters are on the roster. So in goal, I think Nick Rimando will get the start and as fans, we won’t have to worry about the quality in goal.

    For the three defenders, I think Matt Besler, Jermaine Jones and Steve Birnbaum will get the chance to sit in front of Rimando. Birnbaum was a rookie in MLS this past season and nearly won rookie of the year. After stepping in for Jeff Parke, he became an automatic starter for DC United.

    Out wide, I think Brek Shea will start on the left and DeAndre Yedlin will start on the right. I think both will play more as advanced fullbacks rather than full-fledged wingers. Shea has a lot to prove, but Jurgen Klinsmann seems to like him so eventually Shea is going to have to start getting back into the form he is capable of.

    In the center of the pitch, I think Will Trapp will get his chance as the holding midfielder. Expect to hear a lot of the name as the year’s progress. I can see Lee Nguyen and Michael Bradley in the more advanced midfield role. It is no secret that Klinsmann prefers Bradley there as opposed to a deeper lying midfielder.

    Up front, I think the veteran duo of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey will start with Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood the most likely to replace them. What do you think of this starting XI? Disagree? Comment below who you would have start.

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