A look at the U.S. roster and possible starting 11:
Goalkeepers
So much rests on Kasey Keller’s able shoulders. The complete package: size, bravery, great hands, intuition and still plenty of agility at 36. His third World Cup is in Germany, where he plays professionally, so confidence is high.
Tim Howard still appears the U.S. future in goal. Third choice Marcus Hahnenmann, impressive at England’s Reading last season, would start for some teams at Germany 2006.
Defenders
The world will soon know of Oguchi Onyewu, one way or another. The 6-4 center back will either impose himself through power and athleticism or go wobbly in his big stage debut.
Eddie Pope, 32, in his third World Cup, counts on wile to overcome slipping athleticism.
Eddie Lewis, a midfielder for his English club, is needed at left back for this team. He’s the best U.S. crosser from the left. Steady, smallish and unsung Steve Cherundolo is a lock at right back.
Carlos Bocanegra provides cover at left and center back. Jimmy Conrad and Chris Albright are stellar in MLS but untested at this level. If the team must reach for Gregg Berhalter, things aren’t going well.
Midfielders
The team’s real strength lies in Bruce Arena’s plentiful options here. Captain Claudio Reyna is healthy (for now). Pablo Mastroeni, Reyna’s likely central midfield partner, has plenty of bite in the tackle but is limited going forward.
John O’Brien, the team’s best two-way player, must wonder about stamina after a long layoff.
Flanker DaMarcus Beasley is 90 minutes of chase, harass and attack. He may yield the spot to quick Bobby Convey, bright and confident in recent matches.
Landon Donovan can split defenses with his dribbling and bursts off the ball. Clint Dempsey is available for late offense as needed. For late defense and ball winning, Ben Olsen is the man.
Forwards
Arena’s real trouble spot.
Brian McBride was Fulham’s Player of the Year in England. Behind him, Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson are good in the air, but nothing special with the ball at their feet. Josh Wolff rarely produces internationally. And that’s all Arena has in the bag.
The manager prefers a 4-4-2. But owing to his lack of forwards, he may position Donovan and Beasley (or Convey) as wingers, with McBride as the classic striker in a 4-3-3.
That would get more midfielders (and talent) on the field.
Comments are no longer available on this story