Thursday, September 1, 2011

US vs. Costa Rica Preview



Tomorrow night the United States takes on CONCACAF rivals Costa Rica in Carson, California at the Home Depot Center in the first of an international friendly double-header for the United States.  Jurgen Klinsmann welcomed 22 players to the training ground this week however only 20 of those players will be available for selection for the first match vs. Costa Rica.  Clint Dempsey, Kyle Beckerman, and Steve Cherundolo will only be available for the Belgium game on Tuesday and newcomer Fabian Johnson isn't available as he has filed his one-time FIFA switch. 

Since I haven't posted it yet, here is the Costa Rica team set to take on the United States:

Costa Rica Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Keylor Navas (Levante), Leonel Moreira (Herediano), Danny Carvajal (A.D. San Carlos).

DEFENDERS (8):Christopher Meneses (Alajuelense), Carlos Johnson (Cartaginés), José Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umaña (Chivas USA), José Mena (Saprissa), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Roy Smith (Orión FC), Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense).

MIDFIELDERS (8): Randall Azofeifa (Genclerbirligui), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Allen Guevara (Alajuelense), Kareem Mclean (Limón FC), David Guzmán (Saprissa), Rodney Wallace (Portland Timbers), Cristian Bolaños (FC Copenhagen), Álvaro Sánchez (A.D. San Carlos).

FORWARDS (5): Daniel Colíndres (Santos de Guápiles), Randall Brenes (Cartaginés), Josué Martínez (Saprissa), Álvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake), Winston Parks (FK Baki).

Clearly, this isn't Costa Rica's first choice team.  The side included veterans like Alvaro Saborio and Michael Umana, but missing are GK Esteban Alvarado (AZ Alkmaar), DF Bryan Oviedo (FC Copenhagen), Junior Diaz (Wisla Krakow), DF Gilberto Martinez (Sampdoria), DF Christian Gamboa (FC Copenhagen), MD Christian Bolanos (FC Copenhagan), FW Bryan Ruiz (Fulham FC), Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar), and Joel Campbell (Arsenal FC).  As you can see, lots of talent left out for the Ticos.  Tons of youth called in for Jorge Luis Pinto, who will look to build on their quarterfinal appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

As for the United States, here is how I see Klinsmann lining up:



First lets discuss the midfield.  This formation gives Maurice Edu and Jonathan Spector proper shots in the holding midfield roles with the absence of Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.  The United States has had depth in central midfield for years but with Bradley on the move to Serie A with Chievo Verona and Jones unable to find consistent pitch time for Schalke, Edu, who is cemented as a starter for Rangers and Spector, who has found a starting job in Birmingham City's midfield following his summer transfer there, are set for their chance to impress Klinsmann.  Ahead of them will be Jose Torres who wasn't deployed in a position to succeed against Mexico to start the game, but after halftime when he was shifted to the middle from the left flank was really able to link up from the midfielders to the wingers and forward.  Torres gets his chance in the play-maker role for me.  Your wingers/attacking midfielders are Landon Donovan and Sacha Kljestan.  Donovan is spearheading MLS leading LA Galaxy through both the domestic league and the CONCACAF Champions League.  No hard decision to start Donovan in front of his hometown fans.  Sacha Kljestan has nailed down a starting role in the attacking third for Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht, who this season find themselves in the Europa League.  Kljestan is in a good run of form and deserves the start based on that.  I'm ordinarily a Kljestan knocker, however for my money, I'm willing to give him a chance in the same stadium where he scored a hat trick for the US back in January 2008 vs. Sweden. 

The back-line is pretty straight forward.  Timothy Chandler is your right-back starter, has to be, no excuses.  Clarence Goodson and Carlos Bocanegra renew their acquaintances in the center of the back after a pretty successful run during the Gold Cup this past June.  Edgar Castillo gets a second consecutive run-out on the left hand side, where this time I expect we'll actually get to see him bomb forward up the pitch against a lesser opponent, all the while not having to worry about covering Pablo Barrera.  Chandler and Castillo will be expected to provide the width for the US attack.  They both have pace for days and crossing ability to match. 

Up top is the reborn Jozy Altidore.  Jozy has scored five goals in five games played for AZ Alkmaar so far.  All this following his two goals in three and a half games played in the Gold Cup.  Jozy is in form right now, and the best part is watching how he is scoring.  He's making intelligent, timely runs.  He's playing with confidence and I expect that to transfer to the Costa Rica match in particular against what will likely be a relatively inexperienced back-line.

There you have it, now it's time to simply play the waiting game until tomorrow nights match, which is set for 8pm Pacific time and you can watch on ESPN2, ESPN3.com, or Galavision.  COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment