USMNT Selection Thoughts

The United States squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers came out yesterday and along with some surprises the squad didn't look too different from recent times. With the addition of Brek Shea and DaMarcus Beasley back into the lineup the USMNT can stretch the field better than before.

                                     Klinsmann will lead an inexperienced US team against Costa Rica and Mexico.

Here is the full list of players selected:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa - 5/3 SO), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire – 0/0), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake – 0/0) 
DEFENDERS (6): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake – 0/0), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City – 0/0), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City – 6/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – 1/0), Clarence Goodson (Brondby – 5/0), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes – 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla – 26/6), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake – 2/0), Michael Bradley (Roma – 20/5), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana – 1/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor – 10/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 – 6/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht – 13/0), Brek Shea (Stoke City – 2/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City – 4/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – 18/6), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna – 2/0), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur – 27/11), Herculez Gomez (Santos – 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC – 12/10)

The problem point for this United States squad is defense, but that is nothing new. 3 of the 6 defenders chosen for this squad have no senior team experience with the USMNT, but we are being asked to put our trust into them to make life on projected new number 1 keeper Brad Guzan. With Carlos Bocanegra not being selected I'm anxious to see if the new selections can show me something promising.

As stated before, Brek Shea and DeMarcus Beasley have been reintroduced into the squad. The spark that (I personally think) is need by the USMNT, Shea, will probably get a start in one of the 2 games coming up. I'm thinking it will be the Costa Rica game and Klinsmann will opt to go with a more experienced player in that spot for the Mexico game. Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, and Graham Zusi return in the midfield for the US, with many expecting Michael Bradley to be chosen as captain in the absence of Bocanegra, Howard, and Donovan (I have a lot to say about the captaincy, but I'll save that until it's announced).

                                                Brek Shea makes his return to the USMNT squad. Will he be a difference maker?

As for the forwards, they look as strong as can be for the United States with what Klinsmann has to choose from. You could make the case Wondolowski should have been selected, maybe Juan Agudelo also. But Klinsmann seems to be sticking to his guns, and that is admirable. Jozy Altidore has been inform for his club AZ Alkmaar, but hasn't shown that goal scoring prowess for the national team just yet. Clint Dempsey is going to be the focus of the two qualifiers, the US needs him to get going and score to ease some of the pressure off of the inexperienced defense. Clint may benefit from having a creative player on the wing in Shea reintroduced to the squad, but we will see if those two can link up or if we see another lackluster attacking display from the United States.

                                             Will Clint Dempsey find his scoring touch in the next 2 World Cup Qualifiers?

I see lots of problems arising for the USMNT, maybe not against Costa Rica, a game they should win. Against Mexico however the back line will be tested and it will be curious to see if the new boys can show some grit and composure or if they waiver and fall apart. The speed of Mexico will test the United States, as it always has, and the United States almost always has a problem when playing Mexico. The lack of a real field general for the United States could also be a problem, as there is no calming influence for when things go south quick that I can easily recognize on that squad at the moment. I expect the United States to come out of these next 2 games with 3 or 4 points towards qualifying. I see a 2-1 maybe 3-1 win over Costa Rica and a 1-1 or 2-2 draw against Mexico. The key is Clint Dempsey as it will be moving forward for the foreseeable future for the United States. When Dempsey is on his game, the US attack is formidable, when he is off there is no threat to score.

Did Klinsmann get the squad right? Who got snubbed? Who is your key player in this squad?

Why Brek Shea can save US soccer

As of right now the state of United States soccer is up in the air. Players that have established themselves as needed in the team get picked whenever their healthy, but that leaves almost 4-5 spots left on the pitch to fill with players who have played little to no international games at the senior level. Players like Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Carlos Bocanegra are consistently picked, and they provide the veteran experience needed, but what the United States needs now is someone to get excited over.

Enter Brek Shea. Shea looked to be one of the most promising young US players in 2012, being subbed on in multiple friendlies and providing an immediate spark. Though plagued by injury, Shea has returned to soccer and now plays in the biggest league on the planets, the English Premier League for Stoke City.

Shea has all the qualities needed to become the next major star for the United States. He is brilliant on the ball, has excellent vision, high IQ for the game, and has a boatload of confidence. Match that with the fact he is super young and marketable to the new generation of people discovering United States soccer, it can be great for the United States.

The United States need someone they can market to the younger audiences that watch soccer, to get them excited, drive jersey sales, drive ticket sales, and ultimately help soccer take off in America. Shea can be that ambassador. Although now playing in England, Shea could help make soccer in America bigger than it is now in the post-Beckham era. Shea has the style and charisma that can relate to younger audiences, his eccentric hairstyles and tattoos show his youthfulness and style. He also is active on social networks, which we all know is huge with teenagers to young adults, what also helps is he actually interacts with his fans on social networks. You can find Shea regularly tweeting responses to people on twitter when he is active.

But what makes Shea exciting isn't just his social marketability, but also the fact he is a great player. Shea had a breakout year in 2010 with MLS side FC Dallas, playing 30 games and scoring 5 goals. He also led Dallas to the MLS playoffs that year. 2011 was the year he landed on bigger clubs radars. Playing 39 games for Dallas he scored 11 times and again led Dallas to the playoffs. He was elected an MLS All Star in 2011 and was also in talks to be 2011 MLS MVP. In November 2011 it was announced he would train with Arsenal. Now playing in the Premier League, Shea is sure to be a major piece for the USMNT, a team that desperately needs a spark.

Working his way to full match fitness, it is exciting to see if Brek Shea can become the United States new poster boy. I say he can, he has all the ability and the intangibles to be the next big thing not just in the US, but globally. The world is ready to Brekkenize.

What do you think? Is Brek Shea worth the hype? Is there another player you see being the new face of US Soccer?

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