USMNT: What Changes Does Jurgen Klinsmann Need to Make to Beat Ireland?
On Tuesday, in Dublin, Ireland, the United States men's national team will take on the Republic of Ireland in the second of two November friendlies (2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Having lost the first of those November friendlies, 2-1, to No. 3-ranked Colombia in London, England on Friday, the USMNT is now 1-1-2 (win-loss-draw format) since the 2014 World Cup.
Here are four things the team—and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann—can do to pick up a win against Ireland.
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Give Mix Diskerud Some Help
Against Colombia, central midfielder Mix Diskerud put in what many pundits considered to be the worst performance of his international career. Playing with Kyle Beckerman behind him, Diskerud was given the box-to-box duties for the U.S.
However, uncharacteristically, Diskerud failed to significantly impact the match as Colombia's domination of possession made him essentially invisible.
Ireland is, of course, not on the same level as Colombia, but Klinsmann should still look to add a player in the center of the pitch and shift the U.S. into a 4-2-3-1, 4-2-1-3, or 4-1-2-3. Diskerud would have the help he needs to be more effective in any of those setups regardless of where he is positioned.
Give Rubio Rubin Another Chance
Against Colombia, 18-year-old striker Rubio Rubin was given the start. And while playing in front of a raucous, pro-Colombian crowd at Craven Cottage against one of the top teams in the world would cause many teenagers—no matter how talented—to shrink from the occasion, Rubin didn't.
The youngster displayed veteran-like savvy on a number of occasions, including when he used a subtle bump to create the U.S. penalty that resulted in the team's only goal. He also did well to hold the ball up on several occasions and draw fouls when the U.S. was struggling to get the ball out of its defensive third in the second half.
On the negative side, Rubin did miss two glorious chances, heading two separate deliveries wide of the target. On the plus side, he was able to find space in the box to help create those two opportunities, once again displaying a level of experience beyond his years.
He deserves another start up top for the U.S.
Get Geoff Cameron into the Starting XI
Somewhat surprisingly, Geoff Cameron, one of the U.S.'s more dependable and experienced players, didn't get off the bench against Colombia.
It is true that Cameron hasn't exactly had an easy go of it since the World Cup—suffering first through a club benching and then an injury—but he has been getting regular playing time for Stoke in recent weeks.
Against Ireland, Klinsmann needs to get Cameron into the starting XI. The difficulty will be determining where in the lineup he can be of most use.
Cameron has featured for the U.S. at fullback, center back and as a holding midfielder. He could be used at right back if Klinsmann wants to push DeAndre Yedlin or Fabian Johnson into the midfield or bench either of them for their poor efforts against Colombia.
Cameron could also come into the lineup at center back for Jermaine Jones or be used as a holding midfielder alongside Kyle Beckerman, Alfredo Morales or Diskerud.
Close Out the Game
One of the most disturbing trends of the USMNT in the months since the World Cup has been the team's inability to close out a game. The 87th-minute winner scored by Colombia meant the U.S. has given up a goal in the last four minutes of play for three straight games.
Those defensive lapses cost the U.S. wins against Ecuador and Honduras and cost them the draw against Colombia.
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