On Thursday, U.S. Soccer announced the roster for the men’s national team friendly against Italy and, for a second, all seemed right with the world again. The main reason being that for the first time during Klinsmann’s reign, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan were both named to the squad. The two attacking players have both been making headlines the past two months in England for Fulham and Everton respectively. It will be exciting for U.S. fans to watch them together against the Italians on Wednesday.
A further look at the roster though does draw a few head scratchers, most specifically: why wasn’t Sacha Kljestan included? Kljestan, an attacking midfielder with Anderlecht, has been playing regularly for a team leading the table in the Jupiler League. Anderlecht also advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League, before being eliminated yesterday over two legs to AZ Alkmaar, a team that features fellow American, Jozy Altidore. The Jupiler League is not one of the strongest leagues in Europe, but Anderlecht is a proven club, and the experience playing in the Europa League is unmatched by many other Americans on the current roster. In the crowded center-midfield position, Kljestan brings something that many of the other players do not offer. He can break down defenses on the dribble, is able to play quick with his passing, and also has the knack for stepping up to score goals.
A further look at the roster though does draw a few head scratchers, most specifically: why wasn’t Sacha Kljestan included? Kljestan, an attacking midfielder with Anderlecht, has been playing regularly for a team leading the table in the Jupiler League. Anderlecht also advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League, before being eliminated yesterday over two legs to AZ Alkmaar, a team that features fellow American, Jozy Altidore. The Jupiler League is not one of the strongest leagues in Europe, but Anderlecht is a proven club, and the experience playing in the Europa League is unmatched by many other Americans on the current roster. In the crowded center-midfield position, Kljestan brings something that many of the other players do not offer. He can break down defenses on the dribble, is able to play quick with his passing, and also has the knack for stepping up to score goals.
Looking at the midfield choices, Kljestan’s competition came down Jose Torres, Jermaine Jones, and Maurice Edu being picked before him. Michael Bradley should be a clear cut favorite to start in the CM position for the U.S. His performances for Chievo Verona have once again solidified his position within the ranking order for the national team. The other three all have major question marks over the last few months. Torres broke his foot back in September and only recently has returned to playing for Pachuca in Mexico. Jones had to serve an 8-match ban during January in the German Bundesliga, and in the two games with the U.S., during which time his ability to lose the ball was highlighted against lesser competition. Edu is having another solid year for Rangers, a club currently in a downward spiral, but is he having a better year than Kljestan?
Picking players for the national team is never easy, but most fans, and players for that matter, are satisfied knowing players are being picked based on current form. That doesn’t seem to be the case when comparing those four midfielders, but this fact becomes even more mind boggling with the inclusion of Terrence Boyd. Many U.S. fans might be asking the same thing: who is Terrence Boyd? Boyd, a center forward, is currently on the books at Borussia Dortmund, but that’s the thing - he’s just on the books. Boyd has yet to make ONE competitive appearance with the first team. How does a player that has never appeared for the first team, be included in the national team squad? Has Klinsmann been sending scouts to watch Dortmund U23 games instead of watching Europa League matches?
Picking players for the national team is never easy, but most fans, and players for that matter, are satisfied knowing players are being picked based on current form. That doesn’t seem to be the case when comparing those four midfielders, but this fact becomes even more mind boggling with the inclusion of Terrence Boyd. Many U.S. fans might be asking the same thing: who is Terrence Boyd? Boyd, a center forward, is currently on the books at Borussia Dortmund, but that’s the thing - he’s just on the books. Boyd has yet to make ONE competitive appearance with the first team. How does a player that has never appeared for the first team, be included in the national team squad? Has Klinsmann been sending scouts to watch Dortmund U23 games instead of watching Europa League matches?
The next few days will be spent dissecting the U.S. roster further prior to Wednesday, but, come the match, all that will matter will be the starting eleven and how they adapt to an Italian side preparing for this summer’s European Championships. Bradley, Dempsey, and Donovan should all play a big part in this game, but the biggest question marks will be the back four along with the midfielders that will be chosen. The U.S. needs to improve in these areas, and find a center forward who can score regularly. Hey, maybe Klinsmann is onto something after-all with this Terrence Boyd fella! Remember, in Jurgen We Trust.
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