The United States Men’s National Team opened up its annual January camp with one goal in mind: finding the perfect 23-man roster for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. Despite the vast array of players to choose from, coach Jürgen Klinsmann’s challenge is not simply which players to select. The real task lies in the USMNT’s ability to play a complete game.
In the last 10 games for the United States, extending from the World Cup opener on June 16, 2014 against Ghana, all the way to the year-opening friendly on Jan. 28 against Chile, the United States has won only twice. Both victories were not just by the slimmest of margins, but were unconvincing as the United States was on the defensive for most of the game.
A deeper look into both victories gives an even bigger picture into the problem at hand. The World Cup victory over Ghana by a 2-1 margin was pure luck. Clint Dempsey’s goal just 26 seconds after kickoff set the pace for the game, but Ghana still held much of the possession and attacking-zone time throughout. A late header from defender John Brooks clinched it for the United States, but the effort was not as valiant.
The other victory came in a September 2014 friendly vs. Czech Republic by a 1-0 score-line. In a game dominated by the Czechs, an Alejandro Bedoya strike late in the first half was enough for the United States to win, but the effort again was lacking extremely.
The United States has also drawn three times in their last 10 matches, in ties against Portugal, Ecuador and Honduras. In all three of these games, the United States was leading deep into the second half, only to be equalized past the 85th minute each time.
The five losses are also very similar. The two defeats in the World Cup came by one-goal margins to Germany (0-1) and Belgium (1-2), two teams ranked in FIFA’s Top 10. The Germany match was decided by a Thomas Müller goal that only narrowly connected while the match against Belgium took extra-time to decide.
The other losses have all come in the last three matches and were all settled with late goals. Most recently, in a match against Chile, a team ranked 14th in the FIFA World Poll, the United States led 2-1 after 60 minutes, only to fall in the end 3-2.
One positive that can be taken out of these recent struggles is that there is a common issue with each match. The United States, for the most part, starts the game very energetic and eager, but as the game rolls on, the urgency and stamina of the squad lessens dramatically, leading to late collapses. This leaves Klinsmann’s decision for roster spots, perhaps more difficult. He must decide whether he wants to put his most skilled players on the field, or the players in the most fitness.
It’s an easy answer made more difficult by the many critics and members of the press, constantly scrutinizing every move. When Klinsmann left U.S. Soccer legend Landon Donovan off the World Cup roster, there were some calls for the coach to be sacked. Regardless of Donovan being present or not in Brazil, the United States probably still would have only made it as far as they did. I am probably one of the few to support Klinsmann’s decision because I believe it was based purely on fitness over skill.
Donovan, who retired from soccer altogether following his 2014 MLS Cup victory over the New England Revolution, was not at his peak fitness entering camp last winter. Despite being only 32 years old, Donovan decided to hang up the cleats. His fitness issues stem from 2012 when he took a self-enforced sabbatical from the game, citing depression as the main reason.
Klinsmann, with his controversial decision to leave Donovan off the World Cup roster, looks to be switching from employing the most skilled players, to playing those who are most fit. In order for the United States to win the Gold Cup, a title that includes a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, the number one issue to work on is match fitness and the ability to string together 90 strong minutes consistently.
So will the USMNT be prepared and ready to compete in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup? It is most definitely possible. However, the only way the United States will be competitive and make a run for the Gold Cup trophy is if Klinsmann can field a lineup of 23 players who are fit, skillful and play well together. The United States must also play with the urgency to resuscitate the program from its recent recession.
Daniel Shulman is a sophomore at Boston University majoring in Journalism through the College of Communication. A native of Stoughton, Dan is a sports fanatic who loves everything Boston sports related. He is currently a Sports Hawk at the Boston Globe in the High School sports department. He is also a statistician for both Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Men’s Ice Hockey. Aside from writing, Dan has an interest in music, movies and cooking.