Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT 4-3-3 Starting XI vs. Venezuela

Jurgen Klinsmann, from the get-go, has wanted to reshape U.S. soccer into a national style, a style that blends attacking flair, possession, defense and athleticism—all of which we have in abundance in the good ol' U.S.A. 

Our national January camp and friendlies for out-of-season players, currently known as "Camp Strudel," from its former "Camp Cupcake" name, is seen as valuable by Klinsmann. 

From USSoccer.com:

"

[Klinsmann]: “Having a camp like this in January has always made a lot of sense, and now with the Olympics coming up and the coaching staff sharpening the competition amongst the players, this is an important time in our development process. I’m very curious to see this group of players and how they handle the physical side of the camp, and how they handle the challenge of playing two very good teams in Venezuela and Panama. I’m curious to see their overall approach when they get out of their comfort zone in this camp. At the end of the day, it will create for a bigger depth for us. That’s very important for a senior national team program.”

"

Lineup predictions to follow.

Goalie

Bill Hamid has been Klinsmann's backup behind Tim Howard for several matches—ahead of older keepers—and has trained with the Everton man as well. 

It's time for Klinsi to put his money where his mouth is and show he's willing to start the 21-year-old, if he really is the number two on the depth chart. 

Defense

FC Nordsjaelland man Michael Parkhurst had a revealing tidbit on USSoccer.com.

When asked, "Knowing Jurgen’s philosophy and seeing the team’s style of play, do you feel that it has opened a window for you?"

Parkhurst responded, "I hope so. I know the 4-3-3; it’s the same formation that we play with my club team."

Klinsmann only brought six defenders to the January camp, including Houston's Geoff Cameron, Parkhurst, Chivas USA's Heath Pearce, FC Dallas' Zach Lloyd and L.A. Galaxy's A.J. DeLaGarza.

While not big by central defender standards, Parkhurst is the type of fast, possession-oriented passer out of the back that Klinsmann seems to covet, and paired with Houston's Geoff Cameron, should provide the combination of skill and size Klinsmann wants against CONCACAF opponents. 

And at left and right back, there are only really two choices: the veteran of last cycle's early qualifying, Heath Pearce, and A.J. DeLaGarza, MLS' version of Timothy Chandler. 

Heath Pearce; Geoff Cameron; Michael Parkhurst; A.J. DeLaGarza

Midfield

Klinsmann will continue to be loyal to Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman after giving Beckerman praise for doing everything he asks him to at 100 percent to date.

Beckerman will anchor the bottom of a diamond, directly in front of the back line, tasked with breaking up plays and releasing the ball quickly to the wings or the top.

On the wings? There are only Brek Shea and Benny Feilhaber. Shea will play on the left, his best position, and Feilhaber, our World Cup-experienced cover for Donovan and Dempsey will man the right. 

That leaves Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi to man the top of the diamond, transitioning between a 4-4-2 and an attacking 4-4-3. 

There really are no other suitable wingers nor another player to run the top of the diamond.  Ricardo Clark and Jeff Larentowicz are better suited to spell Beckerman's role, and Clark probably will. 

Strikers

Klinsmann is no stranger to team chemistry and the domestic league being the feeder to the national team.

Nearly the entire 2010 Spanish World Cup-winning side's starting XI came from two teams in La Liga, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Most of the German national side play in the Bundesliga. Ditto for the Italian national side, etc.

Danny Williams and Fabian Johnson, two bright USMNT prospects with recent call-ups play side by side in Germany. 

Sporting Kansas City won the Eastern Conference and looks like a beast to contend with for years to come in MLS. Could three players from that team, familiar with each other, be the fulcrum of a second-string attack, at least in January?

Will Graham Zusi be collecting the ball from Kyle Beckerman and feeding the ball to Brek Shea and Benny Feilhaber on the wings, or his two teammates Teal Bunbury and MLS Rookie of the Year C.J. Sapong in front of him? 

The Magic Eight Ball says..."Yes, at some point."

Klinsmann starts Wondolowski alongside with Bunbury or Sapong and substitutes the other one in to create the K.C. trifecta for late-game chemistry. Juan Agudelo also gets late substitution minutes or more time against Panama. 

STARTING XI

So, the final formation, going with Klinsmann's new attacking style, the formation leaked from camp and available personnel is:

---------------Teal Bunbury-----Chris Wondolowski

Brek Shea-----------------Graham Zusi---------------Benny Feilhaber

--------------------------------Kyle Beckerman---------------------------------

Heath Pearce----Michael Parkhurst----Geoff Cameron----A.J.DeLaGarza

---------------------------------------Bill Hamid-------------------------------------------------