The US Men's National Team won the Gold Cup on Sunday against Panama by a score of 1-0, with the goal coming from substitute Brek Shea in the 69th minute. MLS was very well represented in the tournament, especially by the United States team. Six of the 11 US starters in the final ply their trade in MLS, with another seven on the American bench also based domestically.
Major League Soccer has continued its growth over the past decade and is now able to consistently supply the USMNT with Americans playing in America. The Gold Cup-winning side was largely composed of second stringers, but MLS still contributes a number of players that Jürgen Klinsmann relies on for the first team, like Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Graham Zusi, and Eddie Johnson. In addition to those names, Landon Donovan had an excellent Gold Cup and should be another MLS player figuring into Klinsmann's plans as the US wraps up World Cup qualifying and looks towards Brazil.
Since MLS players are now just about as likely to be called in for national team duty as foreign-based players are, I thought it would be fun to look at a hypothetical matchup between two US teams: An MLS XI and a Yanks Abroad XI.
Here is a look at possible lineups for both squads. Sticking true to Klinsmann's system, both teams will play a 4-2-3-1. Please note that the selections for each position were based on my personal opinions on the available players, and many could be up for debate. Most US fans can't agree on who the best XI is for the biggest matches, so there will undoubtedly be differing opinions on who should start here. If you disagree with any selection, please leave a comment below.
Yanks Abroad XI:
Goalkeeper: Tim Howard. A no-brainer really, as Timmy is the unquestioned starter for the USMNT in important games. The USA has other strong keepers abroad in Brad Guzan and Brad Friedel, but Howard takes the starting role.
Right Back: Timothy Chandler. Chandler hasn't featured for the US since tearing a ligament in his knee in early May, and was criticized for his performance in the team's last loss, back in February against Honduras. However, with the only realistic competitor for the spot, Steve Cherundolo, returning from surgery, Chandler gets the nod here for the time being.
Center Backs: Geoff Cameron, John Anthony Brooks. Cameron has seen more time at right back and defensive midfield lately for the Nats, but with the first choice CBs now coming from MLS instead of abroad, he must fill in at the center of defense. Brooks hasn't featured for the USMNT yet, but had a very strong season in the German second division and just received his first call up for the August 14th friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Left Back: Fabian Johnson. Johnson has played in a more advanced role for the Americans in his most recent apperances, but I'd like to see what he can do as a traditional left back. DaMarcus Beasley and Edgar Castillo are also options at this spot.
Double Pivot: Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones. These two form the heart of the team in central midfield, and currently play in two of the top leagues in the world, the Italian Serie A and the German Bundesliga. Bradley is one of the best American players at any position and can boss a game. Jones has been a little shaky lately for the Nats but with his most likely replacement, Geoff Cameron, slotting in at central defense, he gets the start.
Attacking Trio: Brek Shea, Clint Dempsey, Joe Corona. This trio pairs two up-and-comers, Shea and Corona, with the current best American outfield player, Clint Dempsey. Corona got a chance to shine in the Gold Cup, scoring his first two international goals, but he was still overshadowed by the pacy Shea, who scored the game winners against Costa Rica and Panama. Dempsey will operate in his preferred role behind the striker with two creative outlets on either side of him.
Striker: Jozy Altidore. Jozy rediscovered his international form after two fantastic seasons in Holland and scored some important WCQ goals this June. With a switch to Premier League club Sunderland, he will likely find the goals more difficult to come by this campaign.
MLS XI:
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando. The Real Salt Lake man had a very strong Gold Cup, despite not recording a shutout until the final game. MLS boasts a number of fine keepers, American or otherwise, but Rimando is the class of the pack.
Right Back: Brad Evans. Evans typically plays in the midfield for his club, Seattle Sounders, but was deployed at RB a few times by Klinsmann in qualifiers, where he had some success. With the lack of strong American fullbacks in MLS, Evans is the best selection. DeAndre Yedlin is also an option here.
Center Backs: Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler. These two have been first choice when Klinsmann has everyone at his disposal, so they should definitely be the starters for the MLS team. Gonzalez and Besler are two of the strongest players in this side, but would have a tough task in containing Altidore and Dempsey.
Left Back: Tony Beltran. Another player slightly out of a position due to the relative lack of quality fullbacks. Beltran plays at right back for Real Salt Lake, but with Brad Evans already filling that position, he will have to switch to the left. This is probably the one position where MLS is weakest in terms of American players.
Double Pivot: Kyle Beckerman, Brad Davis. Two career MLS players anchor the central midfield for this squad. Beckerman and Davis have plenty of experience but have long been criticized as not quite international caliber. Davis likes to play on the left side, while Beckerman is at his best sitting deep, recycling position and breaking up opposing attacks.
Attacking Trio: Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, Graham Zusi. The attacking trio is another great strength for the MLS XI, as all of these players have experience with the full national team. The pace of Johnson, skill and guile of Donovan, and hustle and work rate of Zusi make this bunch difficult for any team to defend.
Striker: Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski was joint top scorer at the Gold Cup, but still couldn't get off the bench for the final against Panama. With Eddie Johnson starting on the left, Wondo should be able to perform in his typical poachers role for this team.
Who would win?
On paper, this matchup appears pretty even and it should be a very good game between the two sides. In goal, Tim Howard is undoubtedly the better keeper, although Rimando performed admirably at the Gold Cup and is a fine choice for the MLS side. The MLS XI probably has an advantage at center back, while the Yanks Abroad have stronger fullbacks. The double pivot of MLS players certainly isn't as solid as the pairing of Bradley and Jones, two mainstays of the national team over the past several years, so advantage to the Yanks Abroad in this category. Looking to the attacking trio, I'd give the nod to the slightly more internationally experienced MLS players, despite the best player on the field, Clint Dempsey, playing abroad. Finally, Jozy Altidore has the edge over Chris Wondolowski at striker. The breakdown:
Goalkeeper: Advantage Yanks Abroad
Center Backs: Advantage MLS
Fullbacks: Advantage Yanks Abroad
Double Pivot: Advantage Yanks Abroad
Attacking Trio: Advantage MLS
Striker: Advantage Yanks Abroad
So, the Yanks Abroad come out 4-2 winners in the direct comparisons, and likely would be able to control more of the possession against their MLS counterparts. Victory is definitely not assured though, and it's a testament to how far the game has come in the United States that the MLS XI could compete in this game. Of course, this type of matchup would never actually occur, unless Klinsmann decides break up the two groups in some training sessions to foster a healthy domestic vs. foreign rivalry within the team. If anything, it shows that these days, Americans should be comfortable with whoever Klinsmann calls up to represent the country, whether they play in MLS or overseas.
