Jürgen Klinsmann has a difficult decision to make ahead of the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium. In the US' first World Cup game, an injury forced Jozy Altidore off, with Aron Johannsson replacing him. Against Portugal and Germany, it was Clint Dempsey that got the nod up top.
But now, as the U.S. prepares to face the Red Devils in the Round of 16, Altidore is "ready and available." So what's Klinsmann to do?
First off, the coach must determine if "ready and available" is synonymous with "fit to start." If Altidore is anywhere close to 100 percent, he's the obvious choice. He's strong, can move, holds the ball up, and has proved over the last 18 months that he is far and away the best choice up front. But if he can't play?
It's difficult to imagine that, two weeks after suffering from what appeared to be a serious hamstring strain, Altidore can play for a long time or be in fine form. If he does play, it will likely be off the bench, which means Klinsmann has to decide how to start yet another match without Altidore up top.
That leaves the U.S. with three options at striker:
Clint Dempsey
Klinsmann has opted to start Dempsey alone up top in the last two matches, and he's done well. He's held the ball up, kept possession and even scored a goal. If there was any doubt that Dempsey is the Americans' best striker after Altidore, even in a more physical, hold up role, that was put to rest in the last two matches.
Putting Dempsey up top also allows the U.S. to stack the midfield, using Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya or Brad Davis to help win the numbers battle in the center of the park.
The problem is that using Dempsey as the lone striker means he's not free to drop deeper and help Michael Bradley or run off a partner, which he does so well to find space and get into scoring situations. Bradley has struggled and part of that has been due to lack of help. It's similar to the struggles he had in the friendly against Azerbaijan, when Dempsey missed out completely. Keeping Dempsey up top means Bradley will be playing in near-isolation once more.
Aron Johannsson
Johannsson has already gotten a look at striker, coming on for Altidore against Ghana, and he didn't exactly cover himself in glory. In his defense, few Americans played well against Ghana. Johannsson wasn't put in many positions to make an impact, but on the rare occasion he was given the chance, he wasn't able to take advantage. He was bullied, slow and sloppy.
Unsurprisingly, Johannsson hasn't been tapped since that showing against Ghana, but if Klinsmann believes the U.S. can keep possession against Belgium, he would be the smart pick. No U.S. forward moves as well, dragging wide to make himself available, cutting in and keeping the ball moving. Johannsson won't be a physical, hold up striker, but he can aide in possession and when his team has the ball, he does well to find space in front of goal.
Another benefit to bringing on Johannsson is that it allows Dempsey to help Bradley more. That would give the U.S. three players in the attack, with Zusi making it four, who can all move and pass effectively.
Betting on Johannsson making the difference in possession would be risky, though. Belgium have a powerful midfield that could overwhelm the U.S. and if that happens, Johannsson will be as helpless as he was against Ghana.
Chris Wondolowski
Wondolowski is a poacher. And he tries hard.
Is that enough?
If Wondolowski were to start for the U.S., he'd be able to find space in front of goal and, if the Americans could get him the ball, finish. He wouldn't do much in the way of creating chances, but he could certainly finish them. He would also be able to pressure the Belgians high and make it difficult for them to play out of the back. That could take some pressure off the U.S. defense and even create turnovers that turn into chances for the Americans.
Like Johannsson, Wondolowski also free Dempsey up to roam, find space and assist Bradley. Having two roamers, like Dempsey and Wondolowski, could cause havoc for a Belgium defense in flux.
The problem is Wondolowski isn't going to hold the ball up, relieve pressure or win a ton of headers to get possession. That's something the U.S. has counted on with Altidore and Dempsey. Playing Wondolowski puts more pressure on the U.S. defense to play the ball out of the back.
★★★
The U.S. has built a team around Bradley, but they haven't gotten the most out of him yet. Exactly how good or bad he's been is up for debate, but there is no doubt that he hasn't been at his best. Is that a matter of form or does he need help, which dropping Dempsey deeper would provide?
Assuming Altidore can't start, and it seems unlikely he can, Klinsmann needs to determine whether Bradley can play well with Dempsey as a lone striker. If he thinks so, Dempsey will be the pick up top again, but if not, Johannsson and Wondolowski come into the picture and Klinsmann has to project what kind of game the U.S. is going to find themselves in.
Going up against a team as good as Belgium, and one predicated on pure power, makes this a match where Altidore would be most valuable, but Klinsmann is unlikely to have that option. But, while his other three options are not ideal, none will doom the U.S.
Besides, the United States has gotten match-winning moments from more unlikely sources in the past.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1rTkDKU
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