Denmark vs. USA: 5 Things USA Coach Jurgen Klinsmann Should Test in Friendly
The United States men's national team is set to get back in action on Wednesday, when it faces Denmark at NRGi Park in Aarhus.
For the match against the Danes, manager Jurgen Klinsmann selected a roster made up of mostly Europe-based players. Six Major League Soccer players were called into the camp as well as four from Liga MX.
Since the match is only a friendly, Klinsmann should experiment with a few things before preparation for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup ramps up in earnest against Mexico in April.
Here's a look at five things Klinsmann should test during Wednesday's friendly in Aarhus.
Use DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson on the Right Wing
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The most dynamic wing players on the latest USMNT roster are DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson.
Over the last 12 months, both players have been utilized as a full-back and as a winger. Johnson has started on the left wing for Borussia Monchengladbach recently, while Yedlin is working on his defending in training with Tottenham Hotspur.
Since Yedlin is still experiencing some growing pains as a defender, it would be a smart idea for Klinsmann to start Johnson in front of the former Seattle Sounders player on the right flank.
As we have witnessed in the past, Johnson is capable of playing on either side of midfield, which is a major plus for a side with plenty of wingers.
If Yedlin decides to surge forward in attack during the match, Johnson should be able to provide cover on a potential Denmark counter without facing a ton of difficulty.
Until Yedlin can be trusted as a defender, Klinsmann is going to have to align his starting 11 with a safety valve in front of the young player on the right wing.
Play Michael Orozco Next to John Brooks
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The revolving door at center-back will feature another new pairing against Denmark since Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron have all been left off the roster.
Based off the talent available for the friendly match, it is safe to assume John Brooks will start in one of the two center-back positions.
As for who ends up next to Brooks, Klinsmann might not even know the answer to that question until he sees what he has in training over the next few days.
The one player who could star next to Brooks is Michael Orozco, whose shining moment in a USMNT shirt came in 2012 at the Estadio Azteca. The 29-year-old is one of the few defenders on the current roster who earns consistent playing time in the middle of defense.
Some may argue that Tim Ream deserves a chance to start in the back four, but he has played at left-back for the majority of Bolton Wanderers' season.
Klinsmann may surprise us all and start 22-year-old Ventura Alvarado in his first call-up, but that seems like an unlikely scenario as of now.
Split Time Between Backup Central Midfielders
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Just like Brooks at center-back, Michael Bradley is basically a lock to start in midfield in Aarhus.
If Klinsmann opts to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, he will need to select a partner for Bradley in the defensive midfield. The good news for the USMNT boss is he has two solid options at the position.
Danny Williams, who has impressed at Reading during the Championship season, should be handed an opportunity to start. But an argument can be made that Alfredo Morales is worthy of lining up next to Bradley when the match begins as well.
The best way for Klinsmann to solve this problem is to split the time evenly between the two players in Wednesday's friendly match.
Although achieving a victory is a top goal for the Yanks on their visit to Denmark, Klinsmann should also search for chemistry in midfield while Jermaine Jones is still out injured.
The only fair way to hand both Williams and Morales a fair shake is to start one and bring the other on at the start of the second half.
Hand Julian Green a Confidence Boost
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Julian Green is the one player on the USMNT roster in need of a major confidence boost at the moment.
The youngster has endured a trying season in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and the best way to get him back on track is to hand him a substitute appearance in the second half.
Unless a few big names in the USMNT talent pool go down with injuries between now and the Gold Cup, Green will likely be used as a substitute until he earns consistent playing time at the club level .
If Klinsmann were to leave the on-loan Bayern Munich player on the bench for the entire match, it could deliver a shot to his confidence, which has been tested more than it should at this point in his career.
Even if he doesn't do anything spectacular while he is on the pitch, Green would gain some valuable minutes ahead of the stretch run of the club season.
Play One of the Young Goalkeepers for 45 Minutes
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With Brad Guzan missing out on the upcoming friendlies with Denmark and Switzerland due to the impending birth of his child, two goalkeepers have the chance to impress Klinsmann over the next week.
Cody Cropper and William Yarbrough will fight during the first few days of the European camp for a chance to backup Nick Rimando on Wednesday night.
Due to the inexperience of both netminders, Rimando should at least earn a start in Aarhus, and in Zurich on March 31 against Switzerland.
Since Rimando is a known quantity in net, it would not be a bad idea for Klinsmann to test the skill set of one of the youngsters in the second half against Denmark.
Although neither player is a contender for the Gold Cup roster, whoever backs up Rimando would be involved in a valuable litmus test. If Klinsmann is brave enough to use a young goalkeeper for 45 minutes, he will give that player a look at what skills he must improve on to continue his progress.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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