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U.S. National Soccer Team v. Belgium

U.S. National Soccer Team v. Belgium

May 13, 2013

Sun, May 12, 2013 08:00 PM

By Mark Finlay @soccertransfer1

The U.S. men’s national team faces a very busy summer of soccer first playing Belgium on Wednesday the  29th  of May, at the  FirstEnergy Stadium (formerly Cleveland Browns Stadium), Cleveland, OH.  Kick-off 08:00 PM.

National team coach Jürgen Klinsmann is excited about the meeting of the two teams saying: “Belgium is definitely a team on the rise, if you look at their roster, they have quality players from top to bottom who are on some of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a big opportunity for us and a great way to start the summer as we prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.”

The Belgium national team

While perhaps not ready to win next year’s World Cup in Brazil the current Belgium squad is being called the “Golden Generation” of whom big things are expected back in tiny Belgium, a country slightly smaller than the State of Maryland where half the people speak Flemish (Dutch) and the other half speak French.

Famous for their beer and chocolate’s Belgium has never been a powerhouse in the world of soccer until now, with a team loaded with young players who ply their trade with the top clubs in Europe.

In goal you have a choice of the giant 6ft 6in Thibaut Courtois who is currently on loan from Chelsea at Atletico Madrid or Sunderland’s 24-year old Simon Mignolet who is expected to move to a top team this summer during the transfer window.

In front of the keeper Belgium’s defence is one of the world’s best with center-back Vincent Kompany who plays in England for Manchester City.

Kompany is a born leader who marshals his team when under pressure, and is flanked on one side by Arsenals captain Thomas Vermaelen and on the other by Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen both of whom have proved themselves against the best teams in the EPL.

Just when you think a team could not get any better in midfield you have Alex Witsel who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Russian Premier League, and Everton’s Marouane Fellaini both quality players that any team would love to have along with Spurs Moussa Dembele to provide the creativity and flair while going forward.

Up front the striking options are not limited either with Chelsea’s magician Eden Hazard along with PSV Eindhoven’s Dries Mertens who may be unfamiliar to most, yet he is wanted by some of the top clubs in Europe.

Add to this mix the ever improving West Brom striker Romelu Lukaku, and Aston Villa’s sensational goal scorer the 22-year-old Christian Benteke who has netted the ball 23 times for Villa this season, effectively singlehandedly keeping the Midlands side in the Premiership.

 

Possible starting lineup for the U.S. national team

Starting in goal for the men’s national team will be Everton’s Tim Howard who looks set to remain the country’s number one keeper until the day he decides to retire from international competition.

At right back it will probably be veteran Steve Cherundolo who will get the nod ahead of Geoff Cameron, and the injured Timothy Chandler.

The center back position is a no brainer with 24-year-old Omar Gonzalez being impressive in every match he has played for the Los Angeles Galaxy this season, and with his contract expiring at the end of the year he could attract some interest from European teams.

Another CB worthy of consideration with a wealth of experience is Carlos Bocanegra and even though he is getting up there in years now at the ripe old age of 33 his knowledge of the game is going to be vital during the World Cup qualifiers in June.

Playing at left back should see Hoffenheim’s Fabian Johnson cement his place as a starter in Klinsmann’s lineup, yet he will face stiff competition from DaMarcus Beasley also eager to get into the team.

In central midfield you will of course see the best American player in the sport today Roma’s Michael Bradley who provides cover for the back for yet excels when going forward adding firepower to the attack.

The other DM slot next to Bradley is up for grabs between Kyle Beckerman and Maurice Edu following the injury to first choice Danny Williams who is out after tearing a muscle while training for his German club TSG Hoffenheim.

Out on the right wing you can expect to see Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi who has lit up the MLS and is considered a front runner for the MVP award after just nine matches.

Given Zusi’s form this season you can expect to see the versatile Landon Donovan being moved over to the left wing, and together with Zusi, the 31-year-old MLS star should prove a nightmare for whomever the United States play.

Despite his hit and miss season for new club Tottenham Hotspurs, Clint Dempsey remains Klinsmann’s first choice to roam freely in midfield behind the forwards linking up with them to provide a further attacking option.

Jozy Altidore who plays his football in the Dutch Eredivisie for AZ Alkmaar scored the winning goal in the Dutch Cup match against PSV Eindhoven yesterday taking his tally to 31 goals in all competitions. While he is very much a player in Klinsmann’s starting 11 his Dutch club are worried that he will not get any rest should he fly out and join the U.S. camp ahead of the friendly with Belgium, so are trying to work out a deal whereby the 23-year-old can join up with the national side before the match in Cleveland on the 28th of May.

The match against Belgium should prove to be a good barometer for Klinsmann’s squad allowing the coach to select his starting 11 before the crucial World Cup Qualifiers next month against Panama and Honduras.

If you are unable to attend the game it is being broadcast on ESPN2.

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