Player Focus: Which MLS Players Should be Going to Brazil with the USA?

It’s almost here. The World Cup is just weeks away and Major League Soccer will have a strong presence at the biggest show on earth, largely through the USA national team. After some initial skepticism, Jurgen Klinsmann has now firmly placed his faith in MLS and is expected to select a number of players from the league in his 23-man squad heading to Brazil.

The league takes break for the group stages (although US Open Cup games have been scheduled for this time), but they clearly don’t think the US will make the final, having scheduled a Cascadia derby for the same day. Klinsmann is expected to announce his provisional 30-man roster on Monday. So which MLS players will the USA manager be taking with him to Brazil?

DEFENDERS

There was a time not so long ago when many questioned whether Matt Besler was good enough to play for the USA. Now the Sporting Kansas City defender is probably the only member of Klinsmann’s backline who has his position nailed down, forming a partnership with the LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez.

Of the two Gonzalez is seen to be the one more likely to pass the ball out from the back, but the statistics actually show something completely different. Gonzalez is the second most prolific clearer of the ball in MLS, averaging 10 clearances per game, compared to Besler’s 6.9.

Gonzalez only makes an average of 39 passes per game, while Besler plays 54, making him Sporting KC’s second best passer after one-man passing carousel Oriol Rosell. So if Gonzalez no longer warrants a place in the lineup, or even the squad, who from MLS can provide Besler with a defensive partner? Clarence Goodson would be the prime candidate, even though the San Jose Earthquakes centre-back is thought to be past his best.

But the thing is, Goodson is enjoying something of a revival at San Jose, and might even be in better form that Gonzalez right now. There is no specific aspect of the 31-year-old’s game that stands out, but he is an excellent all-rounder, averaging 1.8 interceptions, making 1.7 tackles and 8 clearances per game.

Perhaps Klinsmann’s biggest dilemma comes at right-back. For so long the German has stuck with Brad Evans, who isn’t even a right-back, and the man who plays at in that position ahead of Evans for the Sounders has emerged as a candidate for the World Cup squad.

Since his rookie year last season DeAndre Yedlin has shown himself to be the best natural right-back the USA has, making 0.8 dribbles per game and playing 1.2 crosses per game as well. He is an attacking threat, but also defensively adept, averaging 2.6 tackles per game. Will he be on the plane to Brazil?

MIDFIELDERS

As far as the USA’s central midfield goes, Klinsmann has his duo pinned down. Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are the undisputed first choice in the 4-2-3-1 formation used throughout the qualification campaign. Bradley’s quality is apparent and he has been Toronto FC’s best player since joining in the off-season, averaging an impressive 3.2 key passes per game, as well as maintaining a 79.3% pass success rate – not bad for a midfielder who inherently takes risks.

Klinsmann has experimented with Bradley in a more advanced role, but he is more likely to start Clint Dempsey in attacking midfield, especially considering his goalscoring form. The former Fulham and Spurs man has netted eight goals in his last seven games, averaging an impressive 4.5 shots on goal per game (ranking him second in the league).

But what about in more uncertain positions? What about Landon Donovan, who was the USA’s talisman at the last World Cup? It may still be early in the season, but the LA Galaxy attacker has struggled in 2014 thus far. Donovan has yet to find the net in six games, a poor return considering his average of three shots per game. Where he still has worth is in his directness, averaging 1.2 dribbles per game, which could be useful for the US if he is played on the left side of the attacking midfield trio.

If Klinsmann is looking for a bit of control in the centre of midfield he will surely keep a place for Kyle Beckerman in the squad. The Real Salt Lake man averages 66.6 passes per game, with a pass success rate of 79.6%. Yet if the German wants to play on the counter-attack against technically better sides, Beckerman could be too ponderous.

If he is looking for energy and dynamism in midfield, he should take Benny Feilhaber to Brazil. The Sporting KC man has developed into MLS’ most accomplished box-to-box midfielder, adding defensive nous to the attacking edge he always possessed.

Feilhaber is a threat in front of goal, averaging 1.5 shots on goal per game, and has found the net over his eight league appearances this season. He has probably been Sporting KC’s best player this season, yet he wasn’t called into the squad for the game against Mexico, so perhaps he isn’t in Klinsmann’s plans.

Graham Zusi might be the most naturally creative player Klinsmann has at his disposal. The 27-year old makes more key passes than anyone else in MLS (besides Shea Salinas), with 3.3 per game. Bradley trails Zusi with 3.2 per game. He’s also a prolific crosser of the ball, averaging 3.7 per game, something that might come in useful as the USA play on the counter against teams like Germany and Portugal.

Then there’s the guy staking a late claim for a place in the squad: Maurice Edu. The Philadelphia Union have endured a mixed start to the new season, but their on-loan Stoke midfielder has reiterated his pedigree, with Edu charting a Who Scored match rating of 7.23, the Union’s highest.

STRIKERS

Up front, Chris Wondolowski stands a chances of going to Brazil. The San Jose Earthquakes frontman brings something to the table that Klinsmann can’t find elsewhere in his squad. Wondo has been America’s most consistent scorer in any league since the last World Cup. He is by trade a goalscorer, and indeed the 31-year-old already has five goals to his name this season.

He is an attacking hub, averaging 3.4 shots on goal per game, although with just an average of 0.6 key pases and 0.3 dribbles per game his all-round game doesn’t quite match to that of Aron Johannsson.

The one MLS striker who is certain to be in Klinsmann’s squad is Eddie Johnson. The DC United player has yet to find the net in seven appearances for his new club this season but he has proved himself for the US national team time and time again.

Without Jozy Altidore the USA would need someone who can hold up the ball, and Johnson is extremely prudent in possession, maintaining a pass success rate of 80.5% - impressive for a striker. He also makes an average of 0.9 key passes per game, illustrating how useful he could be to Klinsmann in an attacking position on the left.

Who do you think should be on the plane to Brazil? Let us know in the comments below