USMNT roster leaves Klinsmann with plenty of options, still some questions

Here is some good news with the United States Men’s National Team: for once there was a roster named with minimal controversy. Hold the phones! Stop the presses! Turn off your computers: the internet and U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann generally agree on a roster.

On Sunday Klinsmann made his announcement of the 40 players that would make up the U.S. provisional roster ahead of the 2016 Copa America Centennario. Aside from the odd mention of Jorge Villafana or the confusion over Timothy Chandler being added most of the decisions were seen as no-brainers or at least acceptable. After three years of anger and vitriol let’s enjoy this moment for what it is.

Now with all of that being said there are still certainly some things that need to be ironed. Perhaps there is still no bigger question about this roster than at left-back. To the surprise of some Klinsmann added Nottingham Forrest’s Eric Lichaj, who has not seen any action for the USMNT in over two years. The rationale seems to be simple: Lichaj is a bona fide left-back and the USMNT are currently lacking one of those. Geoff Cameron of Stoke City can also play left-back but is perhaps better situated as a center-back.

Another position that used to be a position of strength, goalkeeper, also seems to now be one of concern. Brad Guzan of Aston Villa is coming off a terrible 2015-2016 campaign and has not regained his form with the national team since the 2015 Gold Cup. His likely back-up, Tim Howard of Everton and the Colorado Rapids, has not played in a professional match since January (he will be starting for Everton in their final two home matches before heading to Colorado). That leaves some chances for Ethan Horvath (Molde,) David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes,) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) to earn a chance to make the Copa America final roster.

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There also seems to be a changing of the guard in the midfield. Although many of the players named featured for Klinsmann at World Cup 2014 (Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman), there are also a few players who are looking to break through over the next handful of international friendlies and the Copa America itself (Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen and Lee Nguyen). If Nagbe, Kitchen, and Nguyen can have good matches against Puerto Rico, Ecudaor, and Bolivia then they may force Klinsmann’s hand to go with a less experienced midfield.

The forward position also seems to have spots up for grabs. In terms of immediate starters USMNT supporters will likely be stuck with Jozy Altidore for another international tournament. Although his goal-scoring touch has been non-existent for Toronto FC this season, he has finally developed into a solid holding forward opening up chances for Giovinco. The question is now can he do this for Gyassi Zardes (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC) at an international level?

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Much like in the midfield there also seems to be change coming up top. With both Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) and Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) tearing up the scoring charts for their respective club teams it seems as if it is only a matter of time before there is a new look for the USMNT. Although the likelihood that Klinsmann will feature both players in the USMNT’s Copa America opener against Colombia, supporters may get a glimpse into the future in their exhibition on May 22nd against Puerto Rico.

In general this is a very interesting time for the United States Men’s National Team. With two years remaining until World Cup 2018 now is the time for Klinsmann to figure out exactly whom from his pool of veterans can still contribute at a high level. Conversely he has to start bringing in younger players who can held build not just for the Copa America, but also World Cup 2018 and beyond.

It is always difficult for managers to find that balance in players who can contribute immediately for a tournament and those who will pay off down the road. Klinsmann is going to have to make some tough choices ahead of the Copa America as they will certainly have ramifications on Qualification for World Cup 2018 and onward.

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