USMNT All-MLS Starting XI for Russia 2018 – It Could Happen
By Steve Wynen
During the Fox Sports pregame show before kickoff of Wednesday’s USMNT match against Chile, Eric Wynalda brought up an interesting point: an All-MLS Starting XI for the USMNT in the 2018 World Cup. I could not be more excited at the prospects of that becoming reality, much to Klinsi’s chagrin. Let’s take a look, by position, at how this can happen. Let’s assume a 3-5-2 formation; m next article will be about why the 3-5-2 is a good addition to the US’s tactical tool belt.
Goalkeeper – This is where it gets tricky. Who knows what will happen when the incumbent Secretary of Defense Timothy Howard returns in September. Buffon is 37 and still in great form, the same can be said of our 35 year old netminder, despite Everton’s rough season. Below him is Brad Guzan, who sits third in shots saved amongst EPL goalkeepers with 15 or more starts. The closest MLS goalkeeper to these two is Bill Hamid, who showed acrobatic skill towards the end of the season, and took home MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors this season. By Russia 2018, he will be 27 and in his prime. We’ll see how the goalkeeper battle plays out.
Centerback – I’m going to go out on a limb, and say that Jermaine Jones will not be playing centerback by 2018. With that, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, and Steve Birnbaum will be the starting three centerbacks for the US. Besler, Sporting KC Captain, will be 31, nearing the twilight of his career, but will possess the leadership and strength to lead the backline in the middle. On either side, Gonzalez and Birnbaum, the latter of which had a promising 60-minute spell against Chile, will do well to hold down the flanks. Gonzalez had a monster performance against eventual champions Germany in Brazil; I believe he will be starting in Russia.
Wingbacks – Let’s face it, DeAndre Yedlin will be starting the XI barring any tragedies. I believe it is very likely he will be partnered by Brek Shea. Although he (and Yedlin) stopped tracking their runs forward and that overwhelmed the back 3, both have the potential to be exactly what the US attack needs: fast, accurate-crossing wingbacks who can score in their own right and also provide defensive cover. If Shea can recover his form for Orlando City SC, he should be able to compete against Greg Garza and Timmy Chandler for the left wingback spot opposite the former Sounders Homegrown in Russia.
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Midfielders – this is where I believe Jermaine Jones will be playing, despite being 36 by 2018, in Russia. Perhaps not starting every game, but to open the tournament, Jones will be paired with Will Trapp behind Michael Bradley. Trapp is a gem, and by 2018, he will be 4 seasons into his MLS career and a top midfielder. Both he and Jones have the ability to sit and defend while getting forward with Bradley in the attack.
Jones must learn better positional discipline for this to work, but I believe it will be possible. Despite his lackluster World Cup, Bradley is still our best player on the field, and I believe he will atone for his biggest sin (the giveaway to Portugal that gave them the tying goal) in Russia.
Forwards – it is no question that Jozy Altidore will be one of the two forwards. He has a do-or-die desire to prove himself with Toronto, and I believe he will light up MLS and international competition in the years to come. His partner in crime will be Gyasi Zardes. Zardes had a phenomenal finish to 2014, learning from Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane the art of consistency while scoring 16 league goals in 26 appearances. Having two forwards who can play hold-up ball and use their physical strength for emergency defense (as Altidore did with great success versus Chile) will be key for the US to relieve pressure.
There you have it, 10 of 11 positions where there is reasonable evidence and belief that they can be filled by MLS players.
Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey, my favorite US player of all-time, won’t be a starting-caliber player in terms of endurance due to his age by 2018, in my opinion. Otherwise, he would be on the list. #DaretoClint