The U.S. Men's National team kicks off their #RoadtoRussia on Friday with a match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The U.S. MNT's first World Cup qualifier of the new cycle will be played at famed Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The match will kick off at 5:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN2, UniMas, UDN and WatchESPN. To preview the match, we spoke with soccer writer Matthew Tomaszewicz.
Jonathan: Seems like just yesterday, the United States was playing Belgium in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16. What is one thing you look for as each new cycle kicks off?
Matthew: I think the thing you normally look for in each new cycle for the US...or really any team is an establishment of a core in parallel with a systematic testing of new players and front six complexion. With the U.S. MNT, to open this cycle, there has been no establishment of a style or core over the past four years by the manager so it's somewhat hazy as to what to look for currently.
JK: Looking at this cycle specifically, who are the players that you are most looking forward to seeing?
MT: I think anyone who follows my Twitter account knows that I've been a fan of the potential of Darlington Nagbe. He's been absolutely critical to the ability for Portland to transition from defense to attack regardless of where possession is won. This has been a massive problem for the US over the past cycle so if the most can be squeezed out of Nagbe and he can played in the right position this could potentially be a big win.
Similarly, Wil Trapp brings a sophisticated skillset in central midfield for MLS's Columbus Crew. Can he be groomed potentially to plug the hole behind, perhaps, both Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones?
Bobby Wood--or even eventually Juan Agudelo--challenging Jozy Altidore for striker role are absolutely vital players. And I think Matt Besler as well. Besler can bring organization and calmness in the central defense if he's allowed to get continuous reps.
JK: Which players in this current cycle do you think have the most to prove?
MT: Nagbe obviously fits in the bucket of players with much to prove as do any of the young options at centerback in Ventura Alvarado and/or John Brooks. But I think really the player with the most to prove is Jozy Altidore. Altidore has been so wildly inconsistent and limited in his game that--after nearly 7 years of being a near-automatic on team sheet--the now 26-year-old should be at the apex of his game. If anything it seems that Altidore has regressed over the past 6 months. To me, he needs to prove he can still be a starter and contributor on the team.
JK: Historically, the U.S. has done extremely well in their opening round of qualifying. When factoring in recent results, how important is it for the team to get 4-6 points through these next two games?
MT: I don't think it's really all that important. The U.S. should be expected to win and four or six points should easily be expected regardless of recent underperformance. It's more critical the U.S. shows the semblance of a system and has the look of a team that knows how to play collectively, executing a game plan.
JK: The start of the last cycle featured a strong veteran presence from players such as Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (among others), who do you see stepping up in this cycle to fill a potential leadership void?
MT: This is a good question and a difficult one. Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are de facto leaders, each putting different skills on the table. First, I think their relationship and hierarchy in the midfield needs to be established to enable further clarity on style of play.
I would say that a player like Cherundolo is sorely missing--someone who can be the deep outlet in the back and be relied to make the right decision in possession and drive play forward when the central midfield is being clogged. I'm not sure who plays that role on the backline currently.
JK: What’s your prediction for Friday’s match?
MT: An ugly win for the United States. I'd really like to see the U.S. MNT strategically break down weaknesses of St. Vincent.
