In light of recent roster changes, I updated my lineup.
The lack of a left footed midfield option is unfortunate and you have to wonder if it is an option to play Beasley there (has always been a midfielder and still plays there most of the time with Puebla) or play Castillo there (where he often plays with Tijuana).
Assuming Klinsmann doesn't do this, he is going to be stuck with a right footed player on the left. The two options are really Donovan and Bedoya. Personally, I'd like to see Donovan at the 10 or at forward but I think he'll start the game on the wing.
The toughest decision then become who starts on the right? Bedoya or Zusi? Despite missing his club game on Saturday with an illness, Bedoya is coming into the game playing very, very well for a Nantes team that is exceeding all expectations in Ligue 1. It's tough to sit a reliable Zusi in front of his home fans but Bedoya wins it on merit.
Diskerud has earned his time to be given the keys in central midfield. Without Bradley, Diskerud is the guy.
Klinsmann likes to use a 4-2-3-1 but against Jamaica at home a more aggressive 4-1-3-2 is fine. After all, he used the 4-1-3-1 last year against Jamaica in a qualifier that was more important than this one. Is there really a need to start both Jones and Beckerman against Jamaica?
So who gets the defensive midfield spot, Jones, or Beckerman? Beckerman played great against Mexico but Jones is one of Klinsmann's favorite players.
Up top, it seems almost too logical that Altidore and Johannsson would have a nice chemistry after being teammates the first half of this year at AZ. Johannsson is playing well this year and its time to give him minutes now so that he can grow into the team ahead of Brazil.
In the backline, Cameron will likely have another opportunity to earn minutes at central defense. Despite playing right back for Stoke, he has always insisted CB is his best position and now should be his opportunity with Gonzalez out.
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Brian Sciaretta
over 10 years
In light of recent roster changes, I updated my lineup. The lack of a left footed midfield option is unfortunate and you have to wonder if it is an option to play Beasley there (has always been a midfielder and still plays there most of the time with Puebla) or play Castillo there (where he often plays with Tijuana). Assuming Klinsmann doesn't do this, he is going to be stuck with a right footed player on the left. The two options are really Donovan and Bedoya. Personally, I'd like to see Donovan at the 10 or at forward but I think he'll start the game on the wing. The toughest decision then become who starts on the right? Bedoya or Zusi? Despite missing his club game on Saturday with an illness, Bedoya is coming into the game playing very, very well for a Nantes team that is exceeding all expectations in Ligue 1. It's tough to sit a reliable Zusi in front of his home fans but Bedoya wins it on merit. Diskerud has earned his time to be given the keys in central midfield. Without Bradley, Diskerud is the guy. Klinsmann likes to use a 4-2-3-1 but against Jamaica at home a more aggressive 4-1-3-2 is fine. After all, he used the 4-1-3-1 last year against Jamaica in a qualifier that was more important than this one. Is there really a need to start both Jones and Beckerman against Jamaica? So who gets the defensive midfield spot, Jones, or Beckerman? Beckerman played great against Mexico but Jones is one of Klinsmann's favorite players. Up top, it seems almost too logical that Altidore and Johannsson would have a nice chemistry after being teammates the first half of this year at AZ. Johannsson is playing well this year and its time to give him minutes now so that he can grow into the team ahead of Brazil. In the backline, Cameron will likely have another opportunity to earn minutes at central defense. Despite playing right back for Stoke, he has always insisted CB is his best position and now should be his opportunity with Gonzalez out.