End of year ratings, USMNT

Agree with most of that. Wouldn't mind trying Fabian Johnson at LB again once we have a full squad.

If Cameron is not playing CM (which we all know Klinsi likes Jones even if we all don't), I would like to see him start at CB with Besler.

And finally, I keep getting more and more impressed with Aron Johannsson each time I see him play. Wouldn't mind seeing him play up top with Jozy if we go 4-4-2. If we go 4-5-1, you would think he would be one of the three subs.

 

It's hard to have any major argument with what you have suggested, but here are my two pennies anyway.

Klinsman has tried so many defensive lines that I find it really difficult to say what our starting back four should be other than Besler should be one of the CB's. The other CB should be either Goodsen, Cameron, or someone yet to be tried (Moor, Borchers, Marshall, etc). I agree that it would be nice to have Cameron in Jones' spot or at RB but we cant afford to have Omar as a World Cup starter so it might have to be Cameron. Basically, Klinsman has to find another CB to pair with Besler - a CB who doesnt make a Defense 101 mistake each game. Maybe he should just ask Besler who he wants to play with.

I dont agree on Evans and Beasley as first choices at R and L Back. The candidates for those spots are Lichaj, Cameron, F. Johnson, Parkhurst or give Beltran or Klute (who Wynalda says is better than anyone the US has ever had) a chance. Morrow could do the job too. Oh and I still love Jonathan Spector.

Beasley should be an attacking left mid. My other mids would be Bradley, Donovan and Dempsey. The latter two can switch back and forth between the central and right mid role or play as a withdrawn forward along side Josy. I would also really like to see Osvaldo Alonso given a try as a defensive midfielder. The USA needs to apply for his national team switch.

My forward choices would be Josy, Bacon, and EJ. Josy would start and I dont care who it is beside him but all three need to play. Throw in a healthy Hercules and Boyd and I feel pretty darn good about our forward options.

I dont agree on Bedoya at all. I'm not sure he even makes my WC roster. He was awful in his last match for us. My other mids would be Kljestan, Mixx, Edu, Zusi

Finally, Michael Bradley should be the captain

Those are my ramblings. Thanks for starting this thread Don.

 

Great stuff HD, it's funny how 3 years ago we were wondering where all the talent was, and honestly think that barring injury this squad is the equal if not better than the last squad. Where I don't whole heartedly agree:

RB/LB: Cameron is starting at RB for Stoke, so he has to be considered for that spot. Evans is a really good footballer, but I can't imagine a Seattle RM will start at RB on the world's biggest stage. It's the biggest head scratcher that the Beas has almost won the LB spot by default. See Fabian Johnson below.

CM: Ugh, Besler and ?? I do not rate Goodson other than a cover guy. If anyone needs some coaching it's Omar. If I was forced to start a game today it would be him, but not with much confidence.

Fabian Johnson must start, and while most people want to plug him into LB, he is far better in mid. He's the level of athlete we need w/Donovan and Clint a step slower.

Jermaine Jones. Really concerned w/his knee. Against jamaica, it looked like the rumor was true and he might be trying to play through an injury that requires surgery. If healthy he is a far better player than Cameron. Tough as nails, but with plenty of skill he and Bradley form a solid duo. He hasn't gone off the rails and gotten shown red for the US and wouldn't hesitate to start him.

 

I going to assume Klinsman will start out in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the basis of my starting eleven and bench.

GK: Tim Howard - Guzan will be the keeper in 2018 but this spot is Howard's barring injury.

RB: Cameron - He is going to start somewhere and unless Dolo returns quickly to form this is the likely landing spot for Cameron.

CB: Gonzolez - Unless he truly crashes and burns the pairing of Besler and Omar have been the core CB pairing during an outstanding 2013 USMNT run and I don't see him losing this spot. If he does crash and burn I think Goodsen is the man.

CB: Besler - In my opinion he is currently the best defender in the US squad.

LB: F. Johnson - If Donovan is going to start then a healthy Fabian Johnson best slots in at LB. Beasley has performed well this season I just think Fabian is an upgrade.

DM: Bradley - He is the first name on the team sheet with good reason.

DM: Jones - I am not thrilled about this pick but when the US played at it's best in 2013 Jones was a big part of the reason. While he makes my XI he is also the first person likely to be subbed off for performance rather than tactical reasons.

RW: Zusi - This is not about who is the most talented US winger this is about the USMNT playing at its best and that happened with Zusi on the pitch. Things click wth Zusi on on the pitch and you don't mess with chemistry.

AM: Dempsey - Brace yourself folks because this could come down to either Donovan or Dempsey not in the starting eleven. Blasphemy I know but so be it. I think Clint is Klinman's man and will get the nod here but if he keeps being cute and overdribbling then Donovan could wrestle away the position.

LW: Donovan - I think this is where Donovan winds up starting. He and Zusi can flip sides easily and I just can't leave Donovan out of the starting eleven. On a side note I could easily see a left side of Beasley in the back and Fabian on the wing but a big performer from 2013 willl wind up on the bench in the form of Donovan, Dempsey or Zusi.

F: Jozy - This is his spot but Aron is pressing for playing time so if Jozy wants to see anything close to 90 he better perform.

Subs: Guzan, Beasley, Evans, Mix, Bedoya, E. Johnson, Johansson.

I think Goodsen and Kljestan will be in the 25 man squad but will have a tough time cracking the bench barring injury.

 

Agree about Tim. He's clearly #1 for this cycle, and I wouldn't rule him out for '18, although Guzan and others will have something to say about that.
I don't know how you can keep Da' Beas out of the lineup. He's had a remarkable year, and you just can't ignore that, plus his experience. He's earned it. Gonzalez and Besler are the most talented, but their inexperience concerns me. Timmy can't stop everything. I don't know who should be at the other spot. I agree with HD, Cameron seems more effective in midfield, but how do you argue for that when he starts in the back for a PL club? I'm confused.
Gonna jump ahead and agree Jozy needs to be up front. He's earned it, and he's scoring for US! Just concerned about his club situation given their poor start and managerial change. But he's definitely in.
And so is Bradley. The biggest no brainer here.
Don't see how you can keep Donovan and Dempsey out.
Zusi has done enough for me to start. I think he's earned it.
I've seen enough to know I don't like Jozy as a lone striker. I think he's much more effective with a partner. Who should it be? EJ has been a revelation, especially in the air. Clint's been less effective there in recent times (see Tottenham highlights), so I pick EJ.
I know Jermaine probably gets in despite the general concensus that he's a red card waiting to happen. I like Klejstan, Johannsson, Evans, Mix, Orozco, Shea, Parkhurst, Lichaj, Goodson, Fabian, Guzan and Rimando. Is that too many? Defense is my primary concern. We should be able to score. I hope.

 

Pretty much agree with everything Barry said. I was surprised you didn't mention your fellow Terp, Zusi, Don.