World Cup preview: United States

The Road to the World Cup

Despite a few early scares in the previous round and again in the early stages of the CONCACAF Hexagonal, including a 2-1 loss to Honduras in the first game of the group back in February 2013, the USA managed to top the Hex handily by four points, posting an impressive 7-1-2 record.

Group Stage Schedule

Formation: 4-2-3-1

It took a while but the USA settled into a rhythm this past summer in coach Juergen Klinsmann’s standard formation, though it has been in part a growing, effective partnership between Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey going forward, coupled with the dual partnership of Jermaine Johnson and Michael Bradley in central midfield, that has given Klinsmann a frame to work around in an otherwise fluid squad. Bradley in particular has been key in dominating the USA’s opponents in build up play.

Flexibility will be the key for the USA, particularly in light of the legacy of former national team coach Bob Bradley, a man who was sometimes accused of tactical naiveté in big tournaments. Though the USA weathered what might have been a difficult qualification group in the Hex, Klinsmann has yet to prove he can make major adjustments in a big tournament. Right now the major area of uncertainty is the back four. Klinsmann will need to use upcoming friendlies to weigh his options.

Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann

A long sought after candidate by United States Soccer Federation head Sunil Gulati, Klinsmann was appointed manager in July 2011 to replace Bob Bradley. After a very rough start with four losses, a win, and a draw, the former Spurs striker and Germany international came into criticism from both fans and the media, but he found success in early 2012 with an historic 1-0 win against Italy. He has also accomplished some historic firsts against the USA’s bitter rivals Mexico, including a first ever win at the Azteca stadium. He's not afraid of making bold decisions too, like leaving Landon Donovan off the 23 man World Cup squad.

Projected Starting XI

GK: Tim Howard

DF: DaMarcus Beasley 

DF: Matt Besler

DF: Geoff Cameron

DF: Fabian Johnson

MF: Brad Davis

MF: Jermaine Jones

MF: Graham Zusi

MF: Michael Bradley

FW: Clint Dempsey

FW: Jozy Altidore

Projected Substitutes

GK: Brad Guzan

GK: Nick Rimando

DF: DeAndre Yedlin

DF: Omar Gonzalez

DF: John Brooks

DF: Timmy Chandler

MF: Mix Diskerud

MF: Kyle Beckerman

MF: Alejandro Bedoya

MF: Julian Green

FW: Chris Wondolowski

FW: Aron Johannsson

The Captain: Clint Dempsey

The engaging, 30 year old Texan rapper who charmed England and American fans alike scoring goals for fun in his Fulham days hasn’t had the World Cup year he might have liked. Dempsey’s move to Spurs in August 2012 wasn’t the major success some had hoped for, and a highly publicized move back to MLS a year later with the Seattle Sounders was marked by injury and a single goal in nine appearances. Still, his leadership is highly prized by Klinsmann, and his contribution to the national team is nearly unmatched--he is the team’s second highest all-time goal scorer.

The Star: Michael Bradley

This is a hard category to fill, particularly as one of the most recognizable and talked about US national team player isn't going to Brazil. Even so, Michael Bradley will likely become a household name after the USA kicks off their opening group stage match against Ghana. The Toronto FC midfielder completed a high profile move back to MLS from Europe this season, and he's the fulcrum for a very talented US midfield. This team's creativity will flow through him. 

The Young Gun: Aron Johannsson

The Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar has been very good to American forwards. That was the team where Jozy Altidore scored 23 goals in his last season before moving to Sunderland. Now the 23 year old Aron Johannsson is making similar progress; he has scored 14 goals in all competitions for the club this season. Johannsson, who moved to his parents’ native country Iceland at the age of three, only chose his national team in the summer of 2013. In that short time, he managed to score the 89th minute winner in a World Cup qualification match against Panama.

The Swan Song: DaMarcus Beasley

Perhaps it’s a bit cruel to put the long-standing USA player in this category when he is only 31. But DaMarcus Beasley’s time with the national team may last only as long as Klinsmann needs to find a more natural left-back--Beasley has filled in the role for the national of late though he is usually a winger, the position he plays with Mexican first division side Puebla. That’s because the USA is not suffering for talented midfielders, and Beasley may find himself pushed to the bench or worse in the coming years.   

Three Questions

1. Will Landon Donovan's absence affect team morale? 
2. Will the relatively shaky back four pull it together in time to survive an extremely difficult Group G with Germany, Ghana and Portugal?
3. Will Chris Wondowloski get a last minute start should Clint Dempsey be injured?

Trivial Matters

Nicknames: Team USA, the Stars and Stripes, the Yanks.

Most caps: Cobi Jones (164).

Top scorer: Landon Donovan (57).

First international: August 20th, 1916 USA 3-2 Sweden.

World Cup appearances: 9 (first in 1930).

Best World Cup result: Third place, 1930.

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