Photo by Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports
The U.S. Men’s National Team’s Copa America got off to the worst possible start, but the U.S. will have a chance to remedy all that went wrong in Tuesday’s clash with Costa Rica.
A 2-0 loss to Colombia saw the USMNT’s backs pushed against the wall, but Costa Rica’s dull scoreless draw with Paraguay reopened the door for knockout round qualification. To keep those hopes alive, the U.S. will need a result on Tuesday.
However, Los Ticos will, as always, present a challenge. Even without the suspended Kendall Waston and injured Keylor Navas, players like Joel Campbell will threaten the USMNT throughout Tuesday’s match.
Does Jurgen Klinsmann opt to keep things consistent in the wake of the Colombia loss, or is the USMNT in for yet another shakeup after a disappointing tournament opener?
Here’s a look at a possible USMNT lineup for Tuesday’s match against Costa Rica:
Some thoughts:
Friday’s loss to Colombia highlighted several of the USMNT’s deficiencies, but, despite two goal-causing mistakes, defense was not one of them. Geoff Cameron and John Brooks both put forth strong performances, despite Cameron’s first half error, while demonstrating that they are certainly the two best central defenders in the squad.
Their fullbacks, DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson, were left too tentative in anticipation of Colombia counters and could do little to positively impact the game. While players like Joel Campbell offer a similar threat, both Yedlin and Johnson will need to get forward more against Costa Rica, as it is imperative that the duo provide width and an outlet as the team battles into the opposing half.
In the midfield, one wouldn’t expect Michael Bradley to struggle nearly as much against Costa Rica. If the USMNT is to be successful, they will need Bradley at his best. The USMNT’s aim will likely be to keep possession and play proactive soccer, and Bradley as a No. 6 still offers the team’s best chance at achieving those goals.
Alongside either side of Bradley, Klinsmann faces a decision. Alejandro Bedoya and Jermaine Jones were penciled in to the Colombia starting lineup, and the latter was particularly ineffective due to the team’s weariness of Juan Cuadrado. If Jones is in the lineup, he needs to be freed up a bit to actually contribute something meaningful in the attack. Bedoya, meanwhile, looked solid last time out and was likely one of the more consistent players on the USMNT against Colombia.
Darlington Nagbe, meanwhile, has shined as a super sub, and has proven to be a legitimate contributor. It remains a mystery just how Nagbe would fare as a starter, but, given his first match performance, Jones seems the obvious exclusion should Nagbe be thrust into the lineup.
Up top, Klinsmann faces a decision. The front three of Clint Dempsey, Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes clearly didn’t work against Colombia, but Costa Rica does not boast the same defensive core, especially without Kendall Waston. For the sake of continuity, it would make sense to give the trio another go while going at a shorthanded Costa Rica backline with a three-pronged attack. Whoever starts on the right wing, Zardes presumably, will need to take advantage of Ronald Matarrita’s inclination to attack, which often leaves plenty of space in behind the backline.
Wood and Dempsey should be deployed a bit differently given the former’s lackluster showing on the wing. Wood is a striker, a pure striker, one that gets in the box and scores goals. He should be played as such. Dempsey, meanwhile, could shift out wide in position only, as the veteran forward’s habit of dropping deep to get the ball while freeing Wood up to get into the box. If Wood once again struggles to find a flow out wide, the USMNT will need to find a way to get him into the box where he can actually contribute.
Christian Pulisic would once again be relegated to bench duty in this lineup. The Borussia Dortmund prospect remains a valuable asset, one that can go against tired legs with a unique blend of technique, speed and intelligence at just 17-years-old. Like Nagbe, Pulisic should be counted upon to make a difference off the bench and could provide an attacking spark later in the game should the USMNT be in pursuit of goals.
Overall, look for Klinsmann to go with continuity. As frustrating as some aspects of the Colombia performance were, the USMNT didn’t lose because they weren’t lined up correctly. Rather, they lost because Colombia was a better team who was much better on the day. Because of that, expect Klinsmann to go with more of the same in what likely remains the USMNT’s best lineup.
