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Soccer US National Team

Who Should Start For USMNT vs. Colombia?

By @DFresh39

USMNT vs Colombia

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Predicting who will start for the USMNT in their match against Colombia on Friday is a tough job, so this looks at who should start. More than likely, this is not the 11 players fans will see on the field at Craven Cottage as the USMNT steps out as underdogs. Jurgen Klinsmann is known to throw out some interesting starters and with a mix of new and old in camp, this should be no different.

Brad Guzan was announced as the starting goalkeeper during yesterday’s press conference. He should be getting the start, although it would be nice to see Bill Hamid find time in net. It would be a reward for a stellar MLS season. In front of him on defense should be Greg Garza, Geoff Cameron, Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson. There are three people who could play the left-back role, but Garza is the future at the position. He has three appearances and has a chance to put a hold on the position if he performs well during this camp.

Cameron has been played at many positions for club and country, but center-back might be the only spot that can provide him longevity with the USMNT. Matt Besler will likely start, but he is in need of a serious break. It was easy to tell that his body was breaking down at the end of the MLS season. Jones is listed as a defender and Klinsmann is trying to lengthen his career with that move. He will be returning to the New England Revolution after this match, so he might as well play.

The right-back could be Timmy Chandler, but Johnson is seeing time with his club in the role, and Chandler is struggling with Eintracht Frankfurt.

At midfield, Kyle Beckerman is the only true defensive midfielder in the group that the USMNT should consider. Mix Diskerud will be asked to pair with him in a pivot, but Alejandro Bedoya is expected to fill in the gaps. He was born in the U.S. to Colombian players, so this is a special game for him. It would be very surprising if he does not start.

DeAndre Yedlin will get the chance to show off in England ahead of his move to Tottenham. Pairing him and Johnson on the same side will be threatening from speed alone. However, it does make one side of the USMNT’s formation defense-only. Garza has shown the ability to send in good early crosses, but it is doubtful that Bedoya and Garza can pair well together at this stage. However, the midfield diamond seems to thrive when Beckerman starts. Julian Green will probably start the match despite struggling with Hamburg.

As for the team’s forwards, Jozy Altidore was named captain on Thursday by Klinsmann. He still seems to work better in a two-striker system and Rubio Rubin would be a nice compliment. The Utrecht striker has played the No. 10 role for his club and caught on quickly.

This 4-1-3-2 formation is very unlikely, but would be highly entertaining with good speed across the pitch. When the starting lineup is released later on Friday, the first reaction may be based off of how many of the experienced veterans end up getting a call over the young players. At this moment, there are only two certainties, so pay attention for Klinsmann’s latest choices.

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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