2. Where does
Fabian Johnson play?
A lot about the U.S. formation will be fall into place once it is known where Fabian Johnson will play. He started on the left wing -- where he plays at
Borussia Moenchengladbach -- in the 3-4-3, then moved to the right wing in front of Timmy Chandler when the USA reverted to a 4-4-2.
Klinsmann could move Johnson back to left back
-- where he played at the Copa Centenario -- but that deprived the USA of Johnson's attacking threat. Klinsmann's dilemma underscores the ongoing problems he has at left back.
The other
options: move Chandler from right back to left back (and start DeAndre Yedlin, whose stock has dropped in recent months at right back), keep Besler at left back, where he played until going off
with cramps and was replaced by Michael Orozco, Klinsmann's favorite utility man in the back.
3. Does Jermaine Jones go another 90?
Jermaine Jones had
not started a game in four months until the Colorado Rapids' playoff game night days ago. He played 90 minutes against Mexico and grew into the game after a rough start.
Klinsmann prizes
Jones' energy, enthusiasm and ability to be a difference-maker. That still gives Jones the edge over Sacha Kljestan despite the latter's strong showing in September and October.
If
Klinsmann is willing to sacrifice some of Johnson's attacking game, he could play Johnson at left back and reunite Alejandro Bedoya with Michael Bradley and Jones in midfield, where they
played together at the Copa Centenario.
U.S. Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough/ENG), Ethan Horvath
(Molde/NOR), William Yarbrough (Leon/MEX).
DEFENDERS (9): Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham/ENG),
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), Michael Orozco (Tijuana/MEX), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG), Julian Green (Bayern Munich/GER), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Sacha
Kljestan (NY Red Bulls), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Caleb Stanko (FC Vaduz/SUI), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC).
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Alan Gordon (LA
Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen/GER), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER).
I say go for the win and throw Kljestan out there with Bradley in place of JJ - or play 451 with both out there and Pulisic-Wood as false wingers.
No more Chandler, get Yedlin and Johnson outside with Brooks-Birnbaum center.
0-1 already :(