Photo by Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
The U.S. Men’s National Team will face a familiar foe in the Copa America quarterfinals, but they will have to do so without one of the team’s top defenders.
For the first time since the start of the competition, Jurgen Klinsmann will be forced to alter his starting XI due to the suspension of DeAndre Yedlin. Thursday’s match will mark Yedlin’s first exclusion from the starting XI since a pre-tournament clash with Ecuador, who is, coincidentally, the USMNT’s quarterfinal opponent.
Ecuador proved a dangerous foe in a pre-tournament friendly, a clash that saw the USMNT emerge with a 1-0 victory on a last-gasp Darlington Nagbe winner. With stars like Enner Valencia, Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero leading the way, the CONMEBOL side will be a bigger threat this time out after emerging ahead of Brazil in group play.
That being said, a berth in the Copa America semifinals is very much within reach for the USMNT, who chases the pivotal knockout round win that Klinsmann has highlighted all throughout the competition.
Here’s a closer look at who the USMNT should start against Ecuador:
Here are some thoughts on the lineup:
Heading into the USMNT’s clash with Ecuador, we know at least one change will be made after three straight matches of consistency. And, if Jurgen Klinsmann’s words and actions are to be believed, it’s already quite clear who will fill in.
DeAndre Yedlin is set to serve a suspension following his dismissal against Paraguay. It was a costly and otherwise boneheaded red card, one that has given his team a major handicap heading into a clash with tricky Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero.
In Saturday’s victory over Paraguay, it was Michael Orozco who stepped in for Yedlin, and he stepped in quite well. With the USMNT backed up into their own half, Orozco did what he does best: defend. The fullback made no mistakes, and provided a capable presence at the right back position.
Before the tournament, Klinsmann stated that Orozco’s inclusion was for this situation. Should the USMNT need help at right back, he’s the guy. Saturday’s performance did little to deter that, and while he won’t offer much going forward, Orozco can be counted on to at least provide a steady presence defensively on the right side.
It’s an option that makes significantly more sense than the alternatives. Shifting Fabian Johnson to the right disturbs the chemistry developed by the back three to this point, even if Edgar Castillo would provide more creativity if included on the left. Moving Geoff Cameron outside commits that cardinal sin of breaking up a successful centerback partnership, something Klinsmann is unlikely to do considering their performances thus far. Keeping the defense intact is paramount, as a backline of Johnson, Cameron, John Brooks and Orozco will all but certainly be the go-to against Ecuador.
With Orozco’s inclusion, there will be times where whoever starts at winger is left a bit isolated on the right side as the fullback stays back to defend. Against Paraguay, Alejandro Bedoya and Yedlin provided a strong partnership prior to the latter’s dismissal, but that partnership will be much, much different when the defensive-minded Orozco.
Bedoya is smart enough to figure out his spot, while Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood will look to continue to forge their partnership ahead of him. All things considered, the forward duo have done well individually, with Dempsey providing the goals while Wood provides the work-rate. In a 4-4-2, the abilities of the two are maximized, as Dempsey drops deep while Wood plays the typical No. 9 role.
On the other side will likely be Gyasi Zardes who, for all his faults, has done very well this tournament. His sequence that led to the game-winning assist, was sublime, as the LA Galaxy star beat two defenders before whistling in an inch-perfect cross. Zardes still isn’t a technical wizard. His touch lets him down, his passing is still a bit off and his attacking nature is based on athleticism much more than flair on the ball. However, he does cause problems for each and every opponent, and deserves significantly more respect than he gets.
Finally, the midfield unit of Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones will all but certainly remain together, especially given the break between games. With several days to rest, Jones and Dempsey should be a bit fresher, especially the latter given his early substitution last time out.
Overall, it’s about going with what got you here, even if there is a piece missing. Throughout the Copa America, continuity has been key for the USMNT, and expect more of the same against a tough Ecuador team.
