Breaking down the roster: October Qualifiers

Overview of the roster by position for the October World Cup Qualifiers against Jamaica and Panama
A slew of injuries have made for a very different looking US roster than what we saw just a month ago in Honduras and Columbus. Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson, and Omar Gonzalez will all be missing from the typical starting XI with various ailments, as will key bench player Eddie Johnson. This luckily isn’t a huge deal because the US has done such a good job over the past eight months that these two games won’t impact their World Cup. Having already qualified, the pressure is off and the games can be used by Jurgen Klinsmann’s staff to get a closer look at players fighting for their roster spot or challenging for a starting spot.

Goalie: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando

            These three guys have held down the goalie spot for pretty much the entire year, and all figure to be making the trip down to Brazil next summer. Howard remains the first choice for Klinsmann, even with Guzan’s stellar start to the season for Aston Villa. However, since these aren’t “must-win” games, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see both of them get a start. It will be very important that Guzan has an understanding with the defenders if he overtakes Howard on the depth chart either through play or injury, and this is a great opportunity to get him some play time.

            UPDATE: Tim Howard has been named Captain for the two games, expect to see him in net for both.

Defense: Demarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Edgar Castillo, Michael Orozco, Clarence Goodson, Brad Evans

            The depth of the defense will certainly be tested over the last two qualifiers. Omar Gonzalez and John Anthony Brooks are both out of the center back discussion with injuries, leaving Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron as the two clear starters. Goodson and Orozco will be the two backups and both are fighting for a spot on the roster next summer. Besler, Gonzalez and Cameron all figure to be sure things for the World Cup, and Brooks is the favorite for the 4^th center back spot. But neither Goodson nor Orozco are out of it and both will look to impress in the case of injury to any of the guys ahead of them.

            The two fullback positions might be the biggest worry for US fans right now. Brad Evans and Demarcus Beasley will almost certainly be the starters for both games, and very possibly in Brazil, and neither of them are natural defenders. They are the two best all around options we have at this point, but aren’t the best offensively or defensively. Fabian Johnson and Steve Cherundolo, who are the two biggest threats to Beasley and Evans’ play time, will both miss with injuries. In my opinion, this is a make or break camp for Edgar Castillo. He is a prenominal player going forward, but is a gigantic question mark on the defensive end. This could be his last opportunity to prove that he can defend at this level. Notable exclusions from the squad are Eric Lichaj and Timmy Chandler.

Midfield: Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi, Mix Diskerud, Kyle Beckerman, Sacha Kljestan, Alejandro Bedoya, Brad Davis

            Midfield is probably where the injuries have hit the US the hardest. Throughout qualifying, Klinsmann has been favoring a 4-2-3-1 formation, which puts a big emphasis on midfield control. Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson, and Clint Dempsey have consistently been three of the five midfielders, and all will miss the next two games. Once again, this shows how important it was for the US to qualify early and to be able to use these games to assess the depth. Jones has basically locked down a ticket to Brazil next summer, and the rest are all in a battle for the remaining roster spots. Zusi had such a great start to the campaign but has slowed down in recent international performances, but should get a great opportunity on Friday with the game being in his home stadium. Since early July, Bedoya has gone from an afterthought to a legitimate contender for a starting spot after a great Gold Cup and awesome start to the season for Nantes in France. Mix Diskerud has taken American soccer fans by storm over the past season with his silky touches and hair. In 11 games with him getting time on the field, the US has won 10 and drawn 1. He looks to be pretty set in a supersub role going into the World Cup, and with Dempsey and Bradley’s injuries he should get an opportunity to further prove himself in the center of our midfield. Kyle Beckerman is another player who made huge strides this summer with his Gold Cup performance. He also stepped in to the starting XI for the game against Mexico in September and truly impressed. With Cameron seeming set as solely a defender, Beckerman provides the best option at holding midfield in the US player pool. Sacha Kljestan is a player who has great ability and plays for a perennial Champions League side, but has constantly underwhelmed in a US jersey.

Forward: Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Aron Johannsson, Terrance Boyd, Chris Wondolowski

            What has traditionally been one of the biggest question marks for the US is now quickly becoming one of the biggest strengths. Jozy Altidore has locked down his spot at the top of the formation and, although he hasn’t scored yet, is in great all around form for Sunderland so far this season. Landon Donovan has had one of the best stretches of his career since coming back from his self imposed sabbatical. I think he will see most of his time in a completely advanced role, but wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him in the “Dempsey role” or on the left wing. Aron Johannsson was one of the “finds” of the summer for the USMNT, as the dual national committed to the United States in August. Ever since then he has been on fire for his club team AZ Alkmaar and got fans all over the country excited for his career in red, white, and blue with his short appearance against Bosnia. Terrance Boyd is perhaps the best of the large group of young forwards that will be challenging for the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th forward spots in the 2018 cycle. He has a big future in front of him and could see time as a sub over in either game. Chris Wondolowski won’t challenge for a spot on the Brazil roster and honestly shouldn’t be considered for any playing time.