If Steve Davis’s rundown of the U.S. Men’s National Team landscape is anything close to correct, most of the seats on this summers’ plane to Brazil have been locked up. You might disagree with a name here or there, but the 19 players he’s tabbed as being locks for World Cup 2014 are strong bets to get the call, with a handful of Mix Diskerud and Alejandro Bedoya types already making strong claims to spots 20-23.
With only Wednesday’s game and a short window in May to impress head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the handful of players vying for those last few spots need to seize their opportunities. Eight of those men are in camp ahead of tomorrow’s kickoff against Ukraine:
Defense
John Brooks – Three central defenders are definitely going to Brazil: Matt Besler, Clarence Goodson, Omar Gonzalez. With Geoff Cameron and (potentially) Michael Parkhurst also able to play in the middle, Klinsmann may not need to pick a fourth true central defender. If he does, however, he can afford to give a young guy experience, meaning the door is open for Hertha Berlin’s Brooks to show he can fit in this summer.
Edgar Castillo – With Fabian Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley on the plane, there may not be room for another left-sided defender/midfielder. But given the positional flexibility Klinsmann has at forward and central defense, the U.S. can afford to triple-up at one or two positions. Castillo can still make his case that left back should be one of those positions.
(MORE: Losing time at Sunderland, Jozy Altidore needs to impress for U.S.)
Midfield
Alejandro Bedoya – Opinions on Bedoya’s play were highly polarized during the Gold Cup. Some saw him as a revelation. Others wanted to see more. Regardless, Bedoya provides a true winger on a team were few exist. That’s an advantage he can build on with a strong camp.
Sacha Kljestan – Kljestan’s been on the fringe of a regular place since Bob Bradley was the boss, but he’s never given that one, convincing performance that put him over the top. With Mix Diserkud missing this week’s camp, the Anderlecht regular will likely see big minutes against Ukraine.
Brek Shea – In terms of World Cup hopes, Shea’s move to Stoke has been a disastrous. Though his ability to play as a true winger gives him the same advantages afforded Bedoya, he’s fallen behind the Nantes man in the pecking order. If Shea’s going to Brazil, he needs a strong performance on Wednesday, one that will keep him in the conversation come May.
Danny Williams – The former Hoffenheim, current Reading pivot man has the skill to be a valuable backup in Brazil, but like the other players who’ve lost traction over the last two years, he needs to impress from here on out. With Kyle Beckerman already on the plane, there may not be another spot for a deep midfielder who will backup Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.
(MORE: Fear not, U.S. Men’s National Team fans: Ukraine is on the ground in Cyprus)
Forwards
Juan Agudelo, Terrence Boyd – With Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan capable of augmenting Jozy Altidore, Aron Johannsson, and Eddie Johnson, forward is another position where versatility can make up for more traditional depth. It’s up to Boyd and Agudelo to show the options they provide outweigh the benefits an extra midfielder or defender.
In that sense, Agudelo and Boyd are probably competing for one spot, at most. What each provides, however, is totally different. If Agudelo makes it, it will be as somebody who can score and create goals. If Klinsmann goes with Boyd, goals will be a part of a package that’s also provides size and a solid work ethic – the type of guy you’d put on late to help preserve a one-goal lead.
As a fourth forward, Boyd is a better fit. That doesn’t mean Agudelo can’t beat him out.
Bonus
Geoff Cameron – He’s a lock to go, but he’s far from a lock to start. Fans see him as the top choice at right back, but he’s not there, yet. Cameron, however, can start to seize that spot tomorrow, where he’s likely to start at fullback. A key will be for how he combines down the flank with Klinsmann’s midfielders, helping promote a possession game.
If Cameron starts anywhere else (central defense, midfield), we’ll have another hint at how Klinsmann sees the versatile Potter fitting into his squad. We’ll also have a few more fans wonder what Cameron has to do to win that job.
