The USA may have qualified for Brazil, but the Hex itself is not yet over. There is work yet to do. Not only do we want to finish top of the Hex (yes, we do), but the squad needs to continue to gel while at the same time ironing out some kinks that still exist - mainly the back line and out wide.
Klinsmann has recently stated that he will be bringing in the strongest squad possible (good news for those who got tickets) for the last two matches at home to Jamaica in Kansas City and away to Panama. There are pros and cons to this. One of the biggest pros has to be the extra time the squad will receive to gel prior to Brazil next summer. However, one of the biggest cons is that with the added depth the USA now has, several faces may miss out on a big opportunity - especially when qualification is already secured and the United States has nothing to lose.
Who are some of these Americans who may miss out? Here's a look at my top five (in no particular order).
5. Eric Lichaj: It had to be right? How could it not. For whatever reason, Klinsmann seems to not rate the Nottingham Forest man, snubbing him time after time. Last year, alright, I can see why. Playing odd minutes sparingly for a terrible club (at the time) is no way to make an impression. Things have changed. Lichaj has earned a starting role with Forest, and has played every minute of the season so far. It should be added that not only are Forest vying for promotion and already looking good for it, but he plays in a position that we NEED to lock down ahead of the World Cup. Cherundolo is going to be hard pressed to come back, no matter what fans may say. Chandler doesn't know what he's doing right now. Evans is only a temporary solution that likely won't work well at a bigger stage. Yedlin: the time is not right (think January). Cameron you say? Because he plays there for Stoke? Come on, why not play a talented player who's natural position it already is! Lichaj's time is now - surely Klinsmann won't miss out on this opportunity? There's no excuse anymore.
4. Brek Shea: Having just about returned from an injury picked up during the summer right after winning the Gold Cup, Shea brings an interesting conundrum to the table. Through no fault of his own the 'Brekken' seems likely to miss out on making the cut for Octobers matches. Likely to return to action next week in the Capital One Cup after finally recovering and attaining match fitness, Shea will need October to attempt to break into the starting eleven. Stoke were no slouches during the summer transfer window, and Shea no longer sits as a prime option (although in my opinion he still offers a lot to the side regardless) for Mark Hughes. For those reasons it seems unlikely that Klinsmann would call him in. It's hard to really pick a side in this one, but if a left back is finally found and it's not Fabian Johnson, Shea's task of making the World Cup just got much harder. Johnson has been a revelation on the left side in both places (LB & LM/LW) and therefore missing October could come back to bite Shea in the rear end. Yet at the same time, locking down a starting spot at your club has been the agenda of Klinsmann ever since he came in. It's no secret that Shea is a favorite of Klinsmann's, so perhaps it won't be such a huge miss after all...
3. Greg Garza: If you aren't familiar with Greg Garza by now, you're missing out. Did I mention he's a left back? A natural one, mind you. The young American has seen increased minutes this season with Tijuana, even getting starts over our very own Edgar Castillo, although the starting spot still belongs to the later mentioned. Garza brings some solid experience to the scene, having also plied his trade in Europe, mainly Portugal, and now Mexico. If Klinsmann, like me, enjoys playing Fabian Johnson in the midfield then in my eyes Garza deserves a shot. It's a higher level, but one in which I feel Garza is prepared for. The 22 year old LB is finally starting to take the stage as his own, and has played really well when given the chance. Like I said earlier, we're going to Brazil. Let's take a chance now. This is one that will likely pay off.
2. Terrence Boyd: Having scored for his club last week, Boyd is getting hot now that he's recovered from his injury. But the competition for a spot in the squad has heated up as well, leaving him with a fight to get in. If Klinsmann is indeed bringing the top squad in October then Boyd could miss out with the likes of Altidore, Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, and Aron Johannsson all likely getting the call before him at this point. To me, and this will be controversial, Boyd deserves a look over Eddie Johnson right now. Yes, Eddie's been hot. But it's time for Boyd to take the stage. Similar to what happened to Conor Casey on our way to South Africa, if Boyd can get in and do well then Johnson might face the chopping block (sorry Eddie, I still love you). What better time to test this than now??
1. John Anthony Brooks: Just cap him already. He needs to play. He needs to go to Brazil, and the time to figure out who he will partner with is NOW. Not November, in a less pressured situation. It's NOW. The talent is there. Let's tap it. I believe Brooks will be in the squad in October, but my argument here is he needs to play. You want to talk to me about gelling a squad ahead of Brazil? Yeah, it has to start forming ASAP. Again I say to, why not? We're already in, and playing Brooks in the long run can only help us.
Take a look at the squads that Holland and Italy will bring next month. They'll be a mixed bag, but youth and inexperience will feature. Mark my words. We would do well to take a page from their book and do the same.
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