United States vs Mexico Preview
Tonight is one of the greatest matchups in sports, USA vs Mexico. When thinking of the greatest matchups in sports history I think of the Boston Red Sox vs the New York Yankees, Duke vs North Carolina, and USA vs Mexico. We are going to see another chapter in one of the most physical and interesting matchups in international soccer. To throw another twist into this, this game is the beginning of the Hex and a World Cup qualifying game. In saying that, this game will be extremely difficult for the U.S. The Mexican backline is very talented and I'm not sure how the U.S. will be able to break through it. I am happy that we have an extremely in form Jozy Altidore. Speaking of players from Toronto FC, we are going to need to see a much better Michael Bradley. Bradley in his last few games for the USMNT has looked slow, lethargic, and uninterested (hopefully due to the fact that our last few games have been friendlies). Besides the few set players like; Altidore, Bradley, Howard, Brooks, Johnson, and Yedlin, this team's set line up is quite unclear. Is Jugen going to have Jozy as the lone striker up top or is an out of form Bobby Wood going to be his partner? Who is going to be Brooks centerback partner? And what the hell will that midfield look like? I don't have any of those answers... BUT! I do have my opinion and what I would do if I ran the USMNT, so here it is:
GK: Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
Tim is ready, how about you?
LB: Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
CB: John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin)
CB: Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United)
RB: Deandre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
CDM: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
CM: Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids)
CM: Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
CAM: Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls)
ST: Bobby Wood (Hamburg)
ST: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)
Let's start from the back and move forward on my preferred lineup. Tim Howard is the most talented and most inform goal keeper on the roster. Brad Guzan is sitting the bench at Middlesbrough and is the obvious number two keeper. Moving on to the backline. I don't prefer Fabian Johnson at leftback because he is more naturally an attacking player, but we don't really have any other options. At rightback I love Deandre Yedlin and his development has greatly improved since he has moved to England. The centerback pairing was the tricky thing here. John Anthony Brooks is by far our best centerback but who plays along side him? I went with a pick that nobody has went with. Even though it is unlikely I like the idea of Birnbaum playing as the second centerback due to his size, physical play, and ability on set pieces. Bradley is our captain and he has found his role as the midfielder right above the backline. Bradley has been in better form as of late with TFC and let's hope he can replicate that with the USMNT. Pulisic is a must start for me. He is the most talented U.S. player with the ball and has shown that he can play with the big boys. It's time for Pulisic and Mexico to meet. I like Jermaine Jones in the other midfielder/defensive midfielder spot due to his physical play. He won't give up on a play and won't let a Mexican player go easy. I love the heart that Jones plays with and I think it will give the U.S. team a huge boost. Kljestan at the attacking midfielder position makes the most sense to me as well. Kljestan finished the season with 19 assists and right now looks like the best player maker on the USMNT roster. His passing capabilities will set up the best opportunities for both the physical styles of Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood up top. My final decision for my starting eleven was who to have up top with Jozy. I am not a huge fan of one striker up top even if it is someone with the ability of Jozy Altidore. If Jordan Morris as healthy and available for this match I would have him up top without a doubt but sadly he is not. So I was looking at the options available and went with an out of form Bobby Wood. Bobby has been pretty good in a USMNT jersey and when looking at the other two option (Aron Johansson and Alan Gordon) I like him up top the best.
It should be very interesting to see who Jurgen decides to go with in his starting eleven to best counteract to skill of the Mexican national team. One thing I can predict however is that Columbus, Ohio will be rocking tonight! In the light of recent actions occurring in the United States the best thing that can happen tonight is if fans of two different national teams come together, cheer their hearts out, and afterwards everyone go have a beer together! Everyone enjoy another chapter in such a great rivalry and remember tonight is all about peace, love, and soccer. GO USMNT!
