3 Christmas Wishes for USMNT Fans

The United States men's national team experienced a rocky 2015 in which it crashed out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup early and hit plenty of low points after the summer. 

However, there is some promise for 2016 as the challenge of the Copa America Centenario comes into play in June. The tournament is just one of the things USMNT fans have to look forward to over the 12 months. 

But in order to be successful for the entire year, a few things need to fixed inside Jurgen Klinsmann's squad.

Below we have come up with a list of three things that USMNT fans should want for Christmas in order for the Yanks to improve in 2016. 

Less Dysfunction 

Asking for less dysfunction within the USMNT ranks under Klinsmann is like asking Santa Claus for a pony; wishing for it is unrealistic, but it's nice to ask anyway just in case something magical happens. 

In 2015, Klinsmann threw two of his best players, Alejandro Bedoya and Fabian Johnson, under the bus. After starting Bedoya in an unfamiliar role against Brazil on September 8, Klinsmann made a remark to the ESPN broadcast at halftime about the winger's play as a defensive midfielder. 

“Ale had a bit of a problem getting into his rhythm," Klinsmann told ESPN, per Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated. 

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Things got even worse in October as Klinsmann called out Johnson after he took himself off with an injury in extra time in the CONCACAF Cup against Mexico.

"I had a very severe word with Fabian Johnson, and I sent him home today," Klinsmann said per Wahl. "So [Johnson] is going home after we had a talk. And he can rethink his approach toward his team," he continued. 

Luckily for the USMNT, Bedoya and Johnson didn't experience long layoffs from the national team, but it is a bit concerning that the manager felt the need to make public statements of that manner, especially when playing Bedoya out of position was his own mistake. 

Since we don't see Klinsmann changing his temperament before the first match of 2016 on January 31 against Iceland, it's really only a matter of time before he makes a statement that causes more dysfunction in the USMNT camp.

However, there is hope that change will come in the new year. If Klinsmann begins to ease up on his players in the press, a bigger bond between the squad and the coach has a chance to form. 

A Pair of Functioning Full Backs

At some point, the USMNT has to stop calling DaMarcus Beasley out of retirement to play full back in a big game. 

Ever since longtime stalwart Steve Cherundolo retired and Beasley entered the back end of his international career, the Yanks have failed to find a solid pair of full backs in the next generation of players. 

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Countless players have started on the defensive wings during Klinsmann's tenure, but no one outside of Johnson has consistently impressed. Now with the Borussia Monchengladbach man playing on the wing in midfield, it is more imperative than ever to find a duo of functioning full backs. 

The best options at the moment are DeAndre Yedlin, Tim Ream, Brek Shea, Brad Evans, Timothy Chandler and Greg Garza. None of those players are considered a shut down full back. That is a major problem the Yanks have to address if they want to silence Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and others in the Copa America Centenario. 

Although Klinsmann is not a fan of bringing in old faces, Jonathan Bornstein and Eric Lichaj are viable in-form options to choose from. If the USMNT boss wants to bring in a fresh body, he could call in Jorge Villafana, who thrived at left back in the MLS Cup for the Portland Timbers. 

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Even if someone pops up out of nowhere and shines in the January camp, there is no guarantee Klinsmann will start that player in meaningful games down the road. 

Basically what we're getting at here is the USMNT's regular full-back pairing will most likely be two defenders mentioned above. A combination of Yedlin and Villafana would be ideal for the future, but look for some of the veterans—including Ream and Shea—to continue at left back in big matches. 

No matter who plays left back and right back in 2016, the USMNT has to find two players that can be relied upon for every match like Cherundolo and Beasley were. 

A Backup to Jozy Altidore

Ever since Jozy Altidore pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first half of the first 2014 FIFA World Cup group match, the Yanks have been searching for a solid backup to the 26-year-old. 

The last 12 months witnessed the emergence of Gyasi Zardes and Bobby Wood in red, white and blue, but they both still need to prove their production can be replicated over a long period of time. 

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Aron Johannsson used to be the regular backup to Altidore, but an injury setback in his first year at Werder Bremen has cost the 25-year-old time to grow into that role.

Behind those three on the depth chart are Jordan Morris, Juan Agudelo, Rubio Rubin and Andrew Wooten. Morris, Agudelo and Rubin have had nice spurts in red, white and blue, while Wooten is bound to get a chance prove himself in 2016 if he keeps playing well for Sandhausen in the 2. Bundesliga. 

If Zardes continues to develop in his natural position, the Yanks shouldn't have an issue at forward in 2016, but Klinsmann started the LA Galaxy man on the wing quite a few times in 2015. If Zardes stays on the wing, the door seems for Wood to take the backup job—and potentially the starting spot. 

Given his form to end the calendar year at Union Berlin, Wood could end up being the USMNT's breakout star in 2016. If not, one of the others mentioned above needs to become a regular contributor, which—depending on who you ask—should be Morris. 

Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.