Pre-match: USA v. Russia, Nov. 14, 2012

Time to start game-planning for this friendly, now that qualifying is behind us. I expect an all-euro based roster, since the game is scheduled during the MLS cup semifinals. Also, since Jurgen will have extended time to look at MLS players during the January camp, I don't think he'll make them fly to Russia for this one, though there could be one or two exceptions.

Here's my expected roster:

G: Howard, Guzan, Yelldell. Would like to see Yelldell brought back into the fold - he is training with a top team in Bayer Leverkeusen, even if he's not playing for them.

Centerbacks: Cameron, Onyewu, Whitbread, Ream. I say let's give Boca and Goodson a rest for this one, we know what they have to offer. Hopefully one of Onyewu, Whitbread or Ream will get some club playing time in the next month and can be added to the depth chart. John Anthony Brooks is another young option to consider.

Fullbacks: Fabian Johnson, Eric Lichaj, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector.
Again, let's give Dolo a rest, no need to overwork those experienced legs. Would like to see Eric start on the right, and Fabian on the left. A young option could be Alfredo Morales.

Centermids: Bradley, Jones, Williams, Edu. No explanation needed.

Wingers: Kljestan, Bedoya, Diskerud, Gatt. The only other option is Shea, who's team won't be making the MLS playoffs, or Joe Gyau, who's had some minutes with Hetha Berlin. Not sure if Mix ever plays the wing, but that's the only place he's likely to fit on the USMNT roster.

Forwards: Dempsey, Altidore, Boyd. And Aron Johannson if we can convince him to join us. If not, call a young striker like Tony Taylor, Andrew Wooten or Conor Doyle for the experience.

Don't call up: Boca, Goodson, Dolo, Davies, Rogers, Findley. Boca and Dolo need a rest, Goodson isn't up to par, and Davies is still a long ways from pre-injury form. Rogers and Findley have both been total failures in the English leagues so far.

Klinsmann is a different manager from Bradley, but a similarly timed friendly in South Africa in 2010 featured a squad of many MLS players. Obviously players still in the playoffs were exempted, but lots of guys that had been knocked out made the trip. This time around, players that are knocked out by or in the play-in games (played on Nov 3 and 4) should be fully available, and it's possible guys knocked out in the quarters could be as well (though the squad would be announced before that happens, so probably not).

That being said, I think Jurgen will bring his A-team, with perhaps a couple new guys. I doubt Jurgen will give his top guys the game off due to needing rest. Russia is a very good team, and Jurgen I bet will want his A-team tested on the road before the hex. It's a midweek game though, so perhaps you're right.

Jurgen should definitely call in some new centerbacks, but I do not think Ream, Onyewu, or Whitbread are the answer. None of them are getting anything close to consistent playing time. Obviously if they recover form and playing time they could be considered, but I really think we should wait until that happens before we pencil them in rosters. The only reason to consider Brooks is out of fear to losing him to Germany; he's not ready yet.

In my view, Klinsmann should call in an MLS centerback or two. The most likely candidate for this friendly is George John, as his team isn't likely to make the playoffs. The Galaxy at the moment are in 4th place in the West, so if they get knocked out in the play-in game, Gonzalez would be available. If Vancouver lose instead, I actually wouldn't mind seeing Jay DeMerit.

It's amazing that when Castillo has injuries, the projected lineups of people omit him the next camp. He's not in Klinsi's doghouse. If healthy, he's going to be called up. I agree that Lichaj should get a look.

I don't know if I'd call any of those guys wingers except Gatt, but I get your point. They are the more attacking minded midfielders. I wouldn't mind seeing anyone on your list, except for Gyau, who just isn't ready. He's one to look for in the future, not yet. He's yet to do anything as a pro. (And to preempt the Boyd counter argument, not getting PT for Dortmund is different than not getting PT for a Bundesliga 2 club and going on loan.) I'd probably call up Conor O'Brien before Bedoya though.

No issue with the first four guys listed, but the young guys aren't ready yet. It's Russia we're talking about, not a Camp Cupcake type team.

I agree on Davies, Rogers and Findley, but since no one is considering calling them up it's curious that you should list them.

As I noted earlier, I'm not sure Klinsmann will agree with the rest argument for the other guys. There are two earlier examples of tough midweek road friendlies during the Klinsmann era: Italy and Mexico. For Italy, Klinsmann brought his A-team (there were a lot of injuries though). For Mexico, he brought more of a B-team. But I suspect that had more to do with the timing of it being in pre-season with a bunch of players fighting for their jobs.

No way Onyewu, Whitbread and Ream should get called up IMO, they haven't gotten PT for their clubs in the last month or so.

I think MLS guys will get called, and disagree with the OP that because it is in Russia JK wouldn't make them travel. He's called MLSers to every friendly we've had in Europe. Sorry, Russia isn't that much farther. Question is more about who will be available.

Omar, Landon, EJ, Zusi are the guys I'd wager are most likely to still be playing.

Wondo/Gordon might or might not, but I don't see either getting called for this game honestly. But if SJ is knocked out who knows.

FCD won't be playing so I'd expect Shea to be there. Hell, he was called in when he couldn't play, si if healthy I see no reason he wouldn't be called. Maybe John gets a look. Would be a good time if Omar can't go. I'd also think Pontius will be available, so maybe he gets a shot.

I'd like to see Gatt, but isn't he also involved with playoffs around that time?

I doubt Jozy comes. JK might try, but given AZ's games around that date I think Verbeek will resist as much as possible. He'll also probably say if you didn't need Jozy for a WCQer, then why would you need him for a friendly?

As far as the Euro wingers the OP mentioned, aside from Gatt none are real wingers. Kljestan is better centrally and I think he gets called. Bedoya isn't great out wide and hasn't been on JK's radar, although he's someone I would like to get a look. Mix isn't a winger either. Any true wide play will have to come from MLSers. Landon, Zusi and Shea. First two will probably still be playing so do the math. Still doubt EJ will have future success on the wing or that he's better out there than as a striker. Love to see him paired with Jozy/Gomez up top with crosses coming in. That's where I think he'd be best.

I do think this will be mostly an A team roster with maybe 2-3 new guys. My guess is most guys called in have already been called in by JK. guys like Pontius, John, Mix, Bedoya might be out of luck.

Three new faces I want to see above all others are Omar, Lichaj and Gatt. Lichaj might be the only one available though depending on playoffs.

Cameron is an automatic. Who else should we call? Boca needs a rest and Goodson hasn't earned his spot. The top MLS center backs like Gonzalez and Besler are going to be in the MLS playoffs (George John will not, though). If you have names of better American center backs who are playing in Europe or won't make the MLS playoffs, let's hear them. Otherwise I'll assume you're suggesting Jay DeMerit and Chad Marshall.

I'm suggesting Omar Gonzalez but it will depend if the Galaxy go far in the playoffs, also I would like to see Brooks if he keeps starting for Hertha Berlin.

If the Galaxy or not in the playoffs then he should call in Gonzlez. I think Aron Johannsson was waiting to see if we made the Hex before commiting to the USA he knows it's his only chance to play in the World Cup. BTW it's not Camp Cupcake any more. It's Camp Strudel

No disrespect to Russia, but I really don't want to see the established players. I know what the likes of Howard, Donovan, Dempsey, Bocanegra and the other established guys bring to the table, let some of the younger guys get a chance to prove themselves. With that said, here is my roster if everyone is available.

GK: Brad Guzan, Sean Johnson,

DF: Michael Parkhurst, Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Steven Beitashour, Matt Besler, George John, Jonathan Spector, Timmy Chandler(probably won't accept), Fabian Johnson(if Chandler rejects the call up)

MF: Graham Zusi, Danny Williams, Joe Corona, Chris Pontius, Joe Gyau, Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, Brek Shea, Luis Gil

FW: Terrence Boyd, Eddie Johnson, Juan Agudelo, CJ Sapong

What I want to see is a young squad full of talented players. We know what certain guys bring. We now need to find out in these upcoming months before the hex who will be part of the USMNT's core and who won't. A good few games can elevate your status within the team. It happened to Cameron and it looks like it is happening to Zusi and possibly EJ.

The two players that I especially want to see picked that others might question are Gil and Agudelo. Neither is exactly lighting the MLS up, but both are young players who will most likely be a big part of the National Team in the future. Why not give Gil his first cap? He is going to get capped eventually, why not now when the pressure is off?

I also want to see Agudelo. I know he has had a poor season, but he plays on arguably the worst team in the MLS. He has no service, so its hard for him to show what he can do. I want to see him playing with a more competitive team, and see if he still has got it or if he was just a flash in the pan.

Apfel, oder Kirsche ?

I'd like to see players who may develop before the WC to get a look. Gonzales, John, even Berry and other young MLSers.

I'm looking for mix to finally get his call up.

Call in backup defenders to try them out

USA v Russia : the Cold Rivalry

This is the roster I would like to see.

GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Sean Johnson*

DF: Timothy Chandler (If Jurgen decides to), Michael Parkhurst, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez*, Fabian Johnson, John Anthony Brooks, Eric Lichaj, Matt Besler*

MF: Michael Bradley, Danny Williams, Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Joe Corona, Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, Chris Pontius"

FW: Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Terrence Boyd, Andrew Wooten


* Might not get called up if they make it far in the MLS playoffs.

I'm excited about potentially seeing Mix and Gatt get called up. I'd like to see Wooten get a call if he can get some consistent minutes between now and then. Also crossing my fingers for Chandler.

Hedges? Okugo? Some of these guys don't have to play in the Russia friendly, but bringing them into the camp certainly doesn't hurt.

I'm more interested about center back than anywhere else for this fixture. Boca and Gooch have been great servants for the national team but their time should be over. This is the perfect time to put Omar or John alongside Cameron and see if we can get one or both to settle in there. Omar may not be available so probably John should get his chance.

I think this will be a decent mix of experience and youth. Hoping to see Mix and Gatt. If we're talking MLS center backs Besler has to be mentioned.

At this point and against such a solid rival, I'd test CBs and wings plus the regulars.

To try the young ones, I rather use a friendly against not so high quality opposition.

Look people, these eight teams are still likely to be playing come the time of this friendly:
KC, Chicago, DC, New York
San Jose, Seattle, RSL, LA Galaxy.
So don't pick players from any of these teams on this roster.

MLS players who might get called up are: Shea, John, DeMerit, Feilhaber, Marshall, Agudelo, Adu. That's basically it.

Mexican players are also possibilities, but unlikely. Tijuana and Puebla end their season on Nov. 11; Pachuca and San Luis on the 10th, and Santos on the 9th.

So Castillo, Corona, Gomez, Torres, Beasley and Orozco are all possibilities. But the only one we might need in Russia is Gomez.

There will be eight teams in the MLS semifinals?

Some other younger MLS guys available to look at:
Luis Silva, the Farfans, Nick LaBrocca, Kelyn Rowe (too bad Lee Nguyen is injured), Tony Cascio, Bright Dike, Jack McInerney, Andrew Wenger, Dan Kennedy, Zac MacMath, Chris Tierney, Sheanon Williams, Kevin Alston, Marvell Wynne, Brandon McDonald, Raymon Gaddis.

The guys in italics are the ones I personally think deserve a shot.