Sizing up the USMNT's World Cup qualifying roster

Jurgen Klinsmann won’t have a full-strength squad for the U.S. national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but that should create opportunities for others.

When you hear that 19 of 21 available players from the U.S. Copa America squad are taking part in the U.S. team’s first post-Copa training camp, it sounds like a strong number. Then when you realize that the two players not available are Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes it becomes clear that there are going to be some good opportunities for new faces to impress Jurgen Klinsmann.

Replacing Dempsey’s goal scoring won’t be easy, and neither will replacing Zardes’ energy and athleticism, but the group Klinsmann has called in has several candidates capable of stepping in and impressing against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

You are probably thinking that it shouldn’t be too hard for Klinsmann to field a lineup to beat those Caribbean opponents, Dempsey or no Dempsey, but as with all official U.S. matches, it is a chance to see who deserves to move up the depth chart, and who is capable of taking on a bigger role and even potentially challenging established starters.

The competition isn’t only going to be fierce in the attack. Omar Gonzalez is back in the fold after a lengthy hiatus, and though Geoff Cameron and John Brooks were outstanding at the Copa America, you have to think Gonzalez is ready to make a hard push for a return to the starting lineup.

Those are just some of the topics to consider as the U.S. begins training camp in Florida before heading to the Caribbean for Friday’s visit to Saint Vincent. Here is a closer look at five questions to ponder heading into September qualifiers:


WILL WE SEE ALTIDORE WITH WOOD?


When Bobby Wood left the Copa America as one of the U.S. team’s real summer revelations, the lingering question seemed to be whether we might see the Hawaiian take over the starting forward role long occupied by Jozy Altidore. Dempsey’s irregular heartbeat, and subsequent absence from the September qualifiers, has changed the question to, “Can Wood and Altidore work well together?”

The upcoming qualifiers are the perfect opportunity to see how the duo works as a forward tandem. September’s opponents won’t offer the same challenge as the top teams the U.S. will see in the Hexagonal, but this is a good chance to get them accustomed to playing together because the reality is Dempsey turns 34 in March. Wood and Altidore represent the next generation.

One big question is whether they are a good fit as a tandem. Wood flourished playing as the lead striker in June, but that has long been Altidore’s role. Wood was less effective playing as a wide forward, but may have to use his speed to operate as a second forward, assuming we see a two-forward setup.

The good news for Klinsmann is that both are in good form. Wood has followed up his strong Copa America with a goal in the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season, while Altidore has returned from his summer hamstring injury with renewed vigor, and has been scoring in bunches. Of course, injuries will continue to be a worry for him, but right now he has a great opportunity to remind us all why he should continue to start.


WHICH FORMATION WILL KLINSMANN USE?


Dempsey’s absence wreaks a bit of havoc with the U.S. lineup because replacing his creativity and attacking quality is very tough. It isn’t as simple as plugging any one player into a second striker role, especially when you have two forwards in Wood and Altidore who have been playing well enough to deserve to start.

Klinsmann could trot out the diamond midfield for the first match, though the absences of Dempsey and suspended midfielder Michael Bradley for that match mean he might need to turn to Darlington Nagbe as a starting playmaker. That’s something he has appeared reluctant to do, even though that has felt like the right call for some time. Nagbe has looked good every time Klinsmann has given him a decent-sized run-out, and these upcoming friendlies would offer the Timbers midfielder the perfect showcase for his considerable skill.

Assuming Jermaine Jones isn’t healthy enough for the first September qualifier (and honestly it would seem foolish to play someone sidelined for so long on what will likely be a questionable playing surface in the Caribbean), that likely means we see Kyle Beckerman in the starting lineup, either as the base of a diamond or as one of a defensive midfielder tandem in a 4-2-3-1. No, Beckerman didn’t exactly light it up at Copa America, but he can handle playing against these Caribbean opponents.

A 4-3-3 seems less likely, especially with Zardes unavailable. Klinsmann could trot out a forward trio of Wood and Jordan Morris on either side of Altidore, with a midfield triangle featuring Nagbe, Alejandro Bedoya and Beckerman, though that might be better used against Trinidad and Tobago. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines match is probably the better platform to give a Wood-Altidore forward tandem a run.


HOW WILL THE CENTER BACK RACE SHAKE OUT?


If you watched the U.S. at the Copa America, it might seem crazy to have any questions about the central defense, but the reality is right now Klinsmann has five good options for two starting spots. Does that mean Geoff Cameron or John Brooks are in danger of losing their jobs? Probably not, but it might have Klinsmann considering his options with two qualifiers just four days apart.

If Klinsmann is committed to starting Fabian Johnson at left back, then it really does leave two spots for five in-form defenders. Cameron shook off a preseason illness to return to the starting lineup for Stoke City in its 1-0 loss to Everton. He played well in the defeat and looks ready to return to the U.S. fold. Brooks also stood tall in Hertha Berlin’s league opener, a 2-1 win against Freiburg.

Gonzalez’s return is a good step for him, and a deserved one after starting on a title-winning Pachuca side, but Steve Birnbaum has solidified his place in Klinsmann’s pecking order and is on a hot streak with D.C. United. Besler remains stuck behind Brooks, but you wonder if Brooks’ past issues with injuries might make Klinsmann wary of starting him in both September qualifiers. If not, then giving Besler the nod against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines might be a good call.


WHICH YOUNGSTER WILL MAKE THE MOST OF THIS CAMP?


Christian Pulisic will generate plenty of attention in this U.S. camp, but his lack of minutes for Borussia Dortmund might cost him a chance at a prominent role in the September qualifiers. Jordan Morris could have a better chance of seeing significant time, especially since he has become a productive regular for the Sounders and Klinsmann left him off the Copa America squad so he could focus on his club duties.

Minutes will likely be scarce for any of the other national team novices, but the camp will allow the likes of Paul Arriola, Rubio Rubin and Ethan Horvath another chance to impress Klinsmann. Rubin is one to keep an eye on. He impressed back in 2014 when given a look by Klinsmann, and after a year beset by injuries, he is back playing for Dutch side Utrecht. He showed at last year’s Under-20 World Cup that he has special qualities, and if Klinsmann isn’t happy with the other forwards in camp, Rubin could get a nod. 

Arriola is another interesting option. He has earned regular minutes as a sub for Liga MX leader Club Tijuana, and he showed well in last spring’s U.S. friendly win in Puerto Rico. There are other wing options on the squad, from Zusi to Pulisic to Nagbe, so Arriola has a tough battle ahead, but at 21, he is only just beginning his path through the national team ranks.


IS GUZAN STILL THE NO. 1?


Brad Guzan held his own at the Copa America, enjoying a much better tournament this June than he did a year earlier in the Gold Cup. Having Klinsmann show his faith by naming Guzan the starter was a big boost, and he is off to a good start at Middlesbrough, earning the starting nod in the past two matches.

Tim Howard isn’t exactly fading away. He has been excellent for the Colorado Rapids since returning to MLS, but at the moment it doesn’t appear as though Guzan has given Howard the opening to take his old job back. A return to the previous platooning goalkeeper setup seems unlikely, but Klinsmann has surprised us before.