Rating MLS Players’ Chances of Making USMNT World Cup Squad

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 28, 2014

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In just three weeks, United States men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will name a provisional World Cup roster which will be full of Major League Soccer stars.

Since the return of Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, among others, to MLS, the league's players are more important than ever to the U.S. squad.

Here's a look at each player's chances of making the cut and representing the U.S. in Brazil.

 

Locks



The top of the list is headed by a number of household names, including Landon Donovan, Matt Besler, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi, Michael Bradley and Nick Rimando.

Donovan has been the U.S.'s talisman for years and Dempsey is the team's captain—Dempsey's also on a hot streak with eight goals already this season.

Besler is likely the only player on the U.S. back line who has locked down his starting spot and Bradley is arguably the team's best player.

Zusi is another player who should start this summer after proving his worth during World Cup qualifying and Nick Rimando will probably be the best goalkeeper in the entire tournament that never sees the field as he backs up U.S. netminders Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.

 

Near Locks



The next group, the near locks, is comprised of players who are favorites to make the roster. This group includes Omar Gonzalez, Brad Evans, Kyle Beckerman, Eddie Johnson and Clarence Goodson.

Most pundits had Gonzalez penciled in as a starter prior to 2014, but a series of sketchy performances for both club and country have left his position a little less stable. He'll still be on the roster, barring a major collapse, but his place in the starting XI is certainly up for grabs.

One of the players who could take that starting spot, and who is a near lock himself, is Clarence Goodson. Goodson has never been spectacular for the U.S., but he's...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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