An early look ahead for the US Men's National Team...and it isn't exactly what one would love to see. While the US team sits in first place for the time being, the two final opponents (Honduras and Costa Rica) still have everything to fight for. Adding to the worries is the fact that this Honduras team is one of the best in the nations history. While both the US and Mexico are guaranteed a place in the CONCACAF/CONMEBOL playoff series with the 5th place South American team, which could very well end up being Argentina, which sends chills down the spines of US fans everywhere, the US would love to avoid that scenario. In order to do so and avoid a make or break game in Washington DC, the team needs at least: win in Honduras; Costa Rica loss to Trinidad & Tobago; or draw with Honduras and Costa Rica draw with T&T. Honduras will be missing two critical midfielders in Amado Guevara and Danilo Turcios, however, Honduras sports one of the deeper midfield force in CONCACAF. With Edgar Alvarez (Bari), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham), and Hendry Thomas (Wigan Athletic), Honduras will have plenty of options from which to choose.
Another key concern for the US will be how to replace an injured Clint Dempsey, who is out for the Honduras game with a shoulder sprain. Will it be the ever emphatic Stuart Holden, who has impressed in short cameo's with the full team? Could it be the possession prince Benny Feilhaber, who has gotten the start there prior? Or could we see Landon Donovan switch over to the right side to allow the great gringo Jose Torres to have a run on the left side? Honestly, I'm okay with any of these scenarios. My bet's on Stuart Holden getting the nod and Feilhaber and Torres retaining their late game energy-providing roles from the bench.
Now on to an area of much more concern...the back-line. Oguchi Onyewu will clearly retain his starting spot, though he has only appeared in one game for Milan this season. Carlos Bocanegra's position assignment will be interesting; does Bradley partner him with Onyewu in the middle? Or does the captain stay on the much maligned left side to allow Clarence Goodson or Jimmy Conrad to go in the middle? Who starts at right back? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with either Goodson or Conrad starting this game and with Chad Marshall and Jay DeMerit out with injuries, I would slide Bocanegra inside. On the right side would go Jonathan Spector, his crossing is to invaluable to be left on the bench. So who's on the left? How about the ever steady Steve Cherundolo, who while probably won't provide the service needed from the left, he's always a smart and calm presence in the back line. Jonathan Bornstein just hasn't impressed me much in recent performances with either club or country.
Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies up top are and forever will be the starting forwards unless injured (knock on wood), and Cooper should back them up.
Who starts with Michael Bradley in the middle? Ricardo Clark's performance and goal from Trinidad & Tobago should easily earn him the start next to Bradley in this one, though with Maurice Edu close to full fitness and Jermaine Jones getting closer as well it will be interesting to see where Clark falls when those two come into the fold. Feilhaber off the bench, where he's best suiting to coming in late and giving some possession and flair.
So, then, here is my starting 11:
--------------------Howard
Spector-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra-----Cherundolo
-------------Bradley--------Clark
Holden---------------------------------Donovan
-------------Altidore------Davies
Guzan
Conrad
Bornstein
Torres
Feilhaber
Cooper
Ching
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