US National Team Selections

The final week of World Cup qualifying is almost here for the CONCACAF region. The United States has an away game against Honduras on October 10th and a home match against Costa Rica in RFK Stadium in D.C. There are a few things to keep in mind heading into these to games:


1) Honduras sits 3rd and Costa Rica 4th in the current CONCACAF standings, neither have clinch a World Cup or playoff spot yet, so they will be brining their A game. Especially, Honduras since it is their final home game.
2) The US has several first team starts in yellow card jeopardy, including Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, and Oguchi Onyewu. If any of these players pick up a yellow card during the Honduras match they will have to sit out for the home game against Costa Rica.


Keeping this in mind I starting thinking about who I put into my starting XI for the US National Team. Some factors I took into consideration were - (1) Forget the yellow card issue, a win on October 10th and the US is in, go and take the game, (2) Focus on the attack, don't sit back and allow Honduras to use their home field advantage to control the game, and (3) Not a well known name, doesn't matter, play on the field is #1. 


Goal Keeper: Tim Howard - Easiest choice, outside of Landon Donovan. Howard is one of the world's top 10 goalies and the undisputed US #1 goalkeeper.


Defenders (4): Oguchi Onyewu (Strong central defender that is also good on set plays and corner kicks), Carlos Bocanegra (US captain and second most caps, 72, behind Donovan), Jonathan Spector (getting time at West Ham, younger and more athletic than most of his competition for this spot), Jay DeMerit (fully back from injury and can regain his spot on the left flank)


Midfielders (4): Landon Donovan (first pick and most needed player for the US), Clint Dempsey (has great ability when he remembers to stay motivated for the game at hand, a regular first team starter for Fulham), Benny Feilhaber (has had several great moments coming in as a sub over the summer in the Confederations Cup and World Cup matches, has the ability to control the ball in the middle), Michael Bradley (coach's son, excellent worker on the field, combination with Feilhaber could be the key for the US). 


Forwards (2): Charlie Davies (proved his striking ability during the Confederations Cup over the summer and is seeing a lot of playing time in the French league), Jozy Alditore (big man compliment to Davies, the two work well on the field together and he will only get better as we get closer to the World Cup).




Thought on my starting XI? Who would you start and sit for the next World Cup qualifier?