USMNT V Guatemala: Picking Klinsmann's Starting Lineup for WC 2014 Qualifier

Following a less than stellar effort against Antigua and Barbuda in a 3-1 victory to open up World Cup qualifying last Friday night, the United States Men’s National Team travels to Guatemala on Tuesday with another three points on the line.

Here is the starting 11 which gives head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the team the best chance of a win.

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard

A given. Could be kept very busy with a patchwork lineup in front of him and a tough away crowd.

Right Back: Steve Cherundolo

The most solid choice. Not much to debate here.

Center Back: Carlos Bocanegra

Easily the most consistent center back in the entire national team pool. His experience is needed in the middle of the park.

Center Back: Clarence Goodson

Clarence Goodson has been one of the pleasant surprises of the national team’s recent set of disappointing results.

Following another solid season at Brondby, the Danish team which he captains, and a 90-minute effort in the American shutout of Italy in February, maybe this should come as no surprise.

However, in the opening games during this recent stint of U.S. games, Geoff Cameron and Oguchi Onyewu were preferred to partner Carlos Bocanegra in the center of defense against Scotland and Brazil, respectively.

Despite this slight, given the chance, Goodson has put together several good performances for the Nats against Canada and Antigua. And while neither of these teams are world-beaters, it could easily be argued that Goodson was the man of the match in both games.

Left Back: Edgar Castillo

Assuming that both Fabian Johnson and Jose Torres are still hurt, who Jurgen Klinsmann deploys at left back will be his toughest choice of the night.

He can play Michael Parkhurst at the position, but Parkhurst has been beaten repeatedly in one vs. one situations against both Brazil and Canada.

Carlos Bocanegra can be played at left back, but it weakens the center of the defense and forces the inclusion of either Geoff Cameron or Oguchi Onyewu, both of whom have been shaky, in the back line.

Although most Americans are unaware of this, Onyewu has experience as a left back from his loan stint to FC Twente, but considering Gooch’s recent performances, he doesn’t seem to be a good choice.

Maurice Edu might be able to deputize at the position, but hasn’t played in the back line for the national team since October 2010 in a friendly against Poland.

The best option Klinsmann currently has on the roster is Edgar Castillo. Castillo looked sharp for the first 25 minutes of the Canada friendly before a series of lost possessions in the defensive third ruined his day. That being said, with Eric Lichaj not on the roster, Castillo is the team’s best option at left back.

Center Midfielder: Michael Bradley

Even though his performances against Canada and Antigua were only so-so, Bradley has been solid over the past four games and was the man of the match against Brazil.

Center Midfielder: Jermaine Jones

Although Jones has had his ups and downs over the past few games, and assuming Jose Torres will be unable to play, Jones still has more quality than the other available center midfielder choices.

Against Guatemala, in their stadium, the U.S. can benefit from two center midfielders who can both go forward and play defense. Lining up in a 4-4-2 may seem overly defensive, especially with Jones and Bradley as the two center mids, but it is a good set-up for this match considering the opponent, the environment and, perhaps most importantly of all, the available players.

Left Midfield: Clint Dempsey

While Dempsey is certainly better up top, the U.S. has few options for wide midfielders with its current roster, but plenty of capable forwards.

Right Midfield: Landon Donovan

Yet another player who started this recent stretch of games gangbusters, only to go quiet over the last two games.

Hopefully Donovan will be ready to be that game-changer once again for the Americans.

Forward: Hercelez Gomez

A great work rate and two goals in three starts. Not much to debate here.

Forward: Jozy Altidore

Altidore missed the Scotland game and arrived too late to camp to play in the Brazil game due to his club, AZ Alkmaar, releasing him too late.

Against Canada and Antigua, he has only been given a total of 38 minutes of playing time, far too little to work into the flow of the game and make a contribution.

Now is the time for Klinsmann to reintroduce Jozy into the starting 11.

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