Taking a crack at the U.S. starting lineup for tonight’s Gold Cup semifinal game against Jamaica at the Georgia Dome:
Goalkeeper
Brad Guzan: It's hard to argue with this choice. Guzan was outstanding the group games, stopping several point-blank shots.
Left back
Fabian Johnson: Another no-brainer in the lineup. Johnson has the speed and skill to move up and down the flank. Because Jamaica will likely play a disciplined, flat back line, Johnson will need to pump in pinpoint crosses for the U.S. to crack through.
Centerbacks
Omar Gonzalez
John Brooks
Here’s where things get interesting.
Ventura Alvarado will likely get the start ahead of Gonzalez, re-pairing him with John Brooks. However, Alvarado has admittedly lacked focus in games and now, against a team that should put up a much tougher fight than Cuba, is not the time to start someone who may zone out in a crucial situation.
Brooks would make his return from a one-game suspension. He can sometimes appear as if on roller skates when trying to defend one-on-one against a dribbler, but is very good in other situations.
Right back
Timothy Chandler
People keep asking why he starts and sometimes it’s hard to give an answer. For the mistakes that he sometimes makes on defense, he is a good crosser and that will be needed to defeat Jamaica. However, he can’t get caught up field because Jamaica is very good on the counterattack.
Left midfielder
Alejandro Bedoya
Bedoya and Johnson have formed a strong partnership on the left side. Each brings a different skill. While Johnson is content to move up and down that third of the field, Bedoya can drift inside to try create numerical mismatches with Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Aron Johannsson.
Defensive midfielder
Kyle Beckerman
Another easy choice. Beckerman’s ability to read the game and break up counter-attacks will allow Bradley to try to stay forward to launch counterattacks for the U.S.
Right midfielder
Gyazi Zardes
Though he has played for the national team before, he has still been a revelation in the tournament. He’s moved smartly and played defense well enough despite playing an unfamiliar position. He will need to be mindful of Jamaica’s ability to break forward quickly and track whoever pushes forward for Jamaica.
Attacking midfielder
Michael Bradley
With Beckerman shielding the back line, Bradley can focus on offense. He has hit several solid long passes to open up defenses in the Gold Cup. The spongy surface that will be in the Dome will allow him to attempt passes similar to the one he hit for Johannsson’s beautiful chipped goal against Cuba. That pass hit the ground and stopped rolling, similar to an approach shot in golf.
Forwards
Clint Dempsey
Aron Johannsson
Two more easy choices. The pairing plays each off other well with constant movement that can unsettle defenses because it forces them to make choices.
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