The U.S. men's national team will field as close to a full strength squad as it has had since Jurgen Klinsmann took over, leaving what should be some easy decisions when it comes time for him to pick a lineup for Saturday's match vs. Honduras.
Landon Donovan is the lone regular starter not to make the trip to South Florida, and now Klinsmann will have some good options as he tries to put together a team to deliver his first win as U.S. head coach.
With Oguchi Onyewu back in the field, and playing very well for Sporting Lisbon, and Michael Bradley arriving after a very strong start with Italian side Chievo Verona, the U.S. team that faces Honduras could have a very strong resemblance to the U.S. team that began the 2010 World Cup with draws against England and Slovenia.
There should be a good amount of new blood though, with the likes of Timmy Chandler and Brek Shea potentially earning starts, depending on how Klinsmann wants to balance his lineups between Saturday's match and Tuesday's match at Red Bull Arena against Ecuador.
So who will Klinsmann start vs. Honduras? Here is one potential starting lineup:
Projected USMNT lineup vs. Honduras
--------------------Altidore------------------------
Shea---------Edu----------Bradley-----Dempsey
-------------------Beckerman-------------------
Chandler--Bocanegra--Onyewu---Cherundolo
--------------------Howard----------------------
Now, if Klinsmann wants to get more midfield possession on the field, we could see this group, which you can call a 4-3-3 (with SHea and Dempsey as "forwards") or a 4-1-4-1, which is what the formation would probably wind up looking more like if this group played together.
If Klinsmann wants to take a look at his forward options, he could turn to either Teal Bunbury or Juan Agudelo alongside Altidore and trot out this group, which would probably have to be more of a 4-4-2:
--------------Altidore------Bunbury------------
Shea------------------------------------Dempsey
---------------Edu--------Bradley--------------
Chandler--Bocanegra--Onyewu---Cherundolo
--------------------Howard----------------------
It's safe to say this back seven will be grouped together to give Klinsmann a real look at what should be his starting defense for the foreseeable future.
What do you think of the projected lineup? Which of the above lineups would you like to see face Honduras? Who do we not list as a potential starter that you think should get a start?
Share your thoughts below.
