Why Oguchi Onyewu Is Key for USA to Have Success at the World Cup

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 11, 2014

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As the countdown to the 2014 FIFA World Cup dwindles, the United States men's national team is still in search of consistent play at the center-back position. 

After the 2-2 draw with Mexico on April 2, Omar Gonzalez left the second spot in the starting 11 alongside Matt Besler open for competition.

One player who could contend for that spot in Jurgen Klinsmann's lineup is 31-year-old Oguchi Onyewu, a veteran of two World Cups who is in the middle of a terrific spell of form at Sheffield Wednesday in the second flight of English football. 

Most observers of the national team will quickly pinpoint to Onyewu's less-than-stellar showing against Ukraine on March 5 as the reason why he should not even be considered for the preliminary roster of 30, let alone the final squad of 23. 

But, if you look deeper at his most recent body of work at Sheffield Wednesday, Onyewu deserves a serious look at the position that has been plagued by mediocrity and mistakes throughout the Klinsmann era. 



Onyewu's journey as a club vagabond across Europe is a tale we tell all too often about American players abroad. 

Since his appearance in the 2010 World Cup, the center-back has played for FC Twente, Sporting Lisbon, Malaga and Wednesday. He also signed with Queens Park Rangers in October 2013, but he never appeared for them before he was shipped off to his current club. He also signed with AC Milan, but never appeared in a game for the Italian club. 

That means Onyewu has spent the last four years in search of consistent playing time in five different countries, but all of that is irrelevant at the moment because he is delivering results for the Owls and impressing Klinsmann in the process. 

Since his arrival in January, Onyewu has appeared in 13 matches and helped the Owls pull clear of the relegation zone.

His form for the Championshi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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