The mix of aging veterans, and up-and-coming players breeds an interesting future for USMNT. (Credits: John Todd/SIPhotos.com) |
Landon Donovan. Clint Dempsey. Michael Bradley. Jozy Altidore. Tim Howard. Carlos Bocanegra. Steve Cherundolo. DaMarcus Beasley. These are all names you've heard before, core pieces to what was the U.S. puzzle over the past six years or so. Those same names that gave us an awesome Gold Cup title in '07, a wild Confederation Cup run in 2009, a magical run to World Cup knockout run in '10 and a roller coaster ride since.
Geoff Cameron. Herculez Gomez. Omar Gonzalez. Maurice Edu. Graham Zusi. Matt Besler. Brek Shea. Fabian Johnson. These are all the name we're starting to learn about, beginning to grasp their games. These same names that have got us our first ever victory in the hell hole that is Estadio Azteca, our first victory against Italy in years and a same collection of names that leave us with a whole heaping of mystery for what the future will hold.
Begin by adding the names in the latter group and start subtracting the former and you have an unknown entity that must start building toward a greater goal: advancing deeper in the World Cup then the U.S. ever has. We all know that we still know very little about Jurgen Klinsmann, but we certainly cannot denounce his confidence or bash his brass, this guy is someone to be comfortable with even if we don't know exactly what we're comfortable with. He's been given an ultimately vicious task of combining a group of aging, successful veterans with a collection of unknown, but talented young players. A completely different mission than his predecessor Bob Bradley, whom inherited Klinsmann's aging vets when they were just entering their prime.
This summer will be where he and his volatile outfit will make their money, where they will etch their names into the history books. Right now they sit tied for second place in CONCACAF qualifying after a tough loss to Honduras on the road, a wild victory at home vs. Costa Rica and after gaining their second ever legitimate point in Estadio Azteca. A comfortable place as long as they build on it, but also a dangerous place where one loss could triggered the panic button. 19 different players have made up the three different starting lineups in qualifying so far, an indication that this merger between the old guard and the fresh produce has not been a sure thing. But the more that Klinsmann sees how the chemistry plays out and which new players aren't wide-eyed in the bright lights, the more this United States unit will grow.
It's quite common knowledge that the talent in the CONCACAF group doesn't rival the difficulty that its away matches bring. This is where the young players will most be tested, where they have to stand up to the horrendous playing and living conditions provdied by these third world countries and play through the raucous bottle-tossing crowds. CONCACAF gets no love because very few greats come out of the region, but it's hell on earth (literally) for those that are new to the pastures. Summer will bring hellish temperatures to the region as well. But I think they'll be ready.
I think Klinsmann is beginning to finger that trigger on what lineups will work and what wont. What substitues will propel the lineup and what will deter it. Most importantly I think the United States has the young talent, once it grows in chemistry and its maturity develops, to push past the World Cup Quarterfinals which is as far as the United States has ever advanced.
Mystery will remain for the USMNT until summer begins, but out of mystery often comes hope.
0 comments:
Post a Comment