8 Players to Watch in the USMNT's International Friendly vs. Canada
The U.S. men's national soccer team began 2016 with a 3-2 win over Iceland last Sunday. The USMNT will face Canada in a friendly this Friday at 10:15 p.m. ET as the USA closes out its winter camp.
The Canada game is the final match for the Americans before World Cup and Olympic qualifiers in March. Therefore, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and assistant Andy Herzog, who coaches the under-23 squad, may want to examine the youngsters in this game.
However, established players like Jozy Altidore also have a chance to show that the Iceland friendly wasn't just a one-off performance.
With this in mind, here are eight players to watch in the USMNT's international friendly against Canada.
1. Brandon Vincent
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Recently drafted Chicago Fire defender Brandon Vincent doesn't have any professional experience, but he has a chance to impress for the U.S. in a position with thin depth.
Vincent is primarily a left back. The only solid option for that role in the player pool is Santos Laguna's Jorge Villafana. Seeing as how the ex-Stanford defender just has the Montreal Impact's Eric Miller to compete with, the third overall pick can boost his chances of a future call-up.
Both Brad Evans and Michael Orozco left the USMNT camp, per a release from USSoccer.com. Evans and Orozco started at right back and center back, respectively, versus Iceland.
Klinsmann has a few options. He can either start Matt Polster and Kellyn Acosta as the full backs, or move Vincent into the lineup as the natural left back.
Based on how shaky Acosta was at the beginning of the Iceland match on the left, starting Vincent would be the wise choice.
2. Kellyn Acosta
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FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta received his first USMNT cap against Iceland, but it was in an unfamiliar role at left back.
The 20-year-old admitted to ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle that he was nervous, which is to be expected. However, Klinsmann was encouraged by the way Acosta recovered.
"I think after he settled his nerves, 10-15 minutes, he really played like he belonged in this team," Klinsmann said, per Carlisle. "It was really fun to watch."
Carlisle also noted that Acosta was playing at right back in training but switched to the left side for the Iceland game. The Texas native was mainly a central midfielder with FC Dallas last season in MLS, so it was a difficult debut for him.
Acosta still managed to finish the match and improved throughout the game. That may lead to another appearance against Canada, and it could be at right back or in midfield.
If that's the case, expect an even better performance from Acosta on Friday night.
3. Steve Birnbaum
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Steve Birnbaum began the Iceland friendly on the bench. He finished with a game-winning goal and an assist.
Birnbaum certainly dominated the headlines thanks to the winning goal, but his defending still left something to be desired.
The D.C. United defender wasn't the only one to blame for Iceland's Aron Sigurdarson's strike, but he had a chance to prevent it. Birnbaum informed Carlisle about what he could have done to stop the goal.
"Probably just position my body a little more inside, have him go wide," Birnbaum said. "I thought [Jermaine Jones] was coming close, but that's on me."
Klinsmann made the decision to substitute Birnbaum into the game for the second half. Now the 25-year-old can build on a strong offensive performance with a firm showing at the back.
4. Wil Trapp
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Wil Trapp did not see the field against Iceland last Sunday, but he should see some minutes versus Canada.
The Columbus Crew midfielder would be the ideal deep-lying midfielder for the USMNT, and it would benefit Klinsmann to give Trapp a chance on Friday.
The 23-year-old excelled in two specific areas of his game with the Crew last season, especially in the playoffs. Trapp broke up incoming attacks, then he quickly moved the ball to lethal attackers like Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram. This is why Columbus was so dangerous on the counter.
Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley shined against Iceland, but it's time to see what the younger players can provide the USMNT ahead of a busy two-year cycle.
5. Darlington Nagbe
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Darlington Nagbe turned heads during the USMNT's November camp during World Cup qualifying, per Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl. Now the Portland Timbers midfielder is looking to build on that in 2016.
Nagbe earned 30 minutes off the bench against Iceland on Sunday. He demonstrated his frightening pace, his silky-smooth touches and his vision in that time.
The U.S. will need these three qualities against Canada on Friday. The Canadians tend to sit deep in their defensive third before countering with pace down the wings.
The last three friendlies between Canada and the U.S. have finished in 0-0 draws. Nagbe would help the Americans unlock a stingy Canadian defense.
6. Jerome Kiesewetter
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When Jerome Kiesewetter substituted into Sunday's game against Iceland, he became an immediate threat.
The 23-year-old was frustrating the Icelandic defense with his speed and was constantly finding himself in good scoring positions inside the box.
Kiesewetter didn't score, but he troubled Iceland in the 16 minutes he was on the field.
The Stuttgart forward has chemistry with Jordan Morris from the under-23 squad. It wouldn't hurt to test that partnership against Canada because Les Rouges also named a young roster and will surely field a relatively inexperienced lineup.
7. Jordan Morris
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Klinsmann may have a selection headache ahead of the Canada friendly on Friday.
On one hand, the experienced Altidore scored and looked as energetic as ever, but Morris has the potential to be a consistent goalscorer for the USMNT.
Morris produced two shots in 16 minutes against Iceland, but he was a menacing presence with his speed and strength.
The 21-year-old may be a substitute again against Canada, but Morris was lethal in his limited appearance on Sunday afternoon. He just needs more minutes to fully thrive.
8. Jozy Altidore
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Altidore was reinvigorated on Sunday against Iceland. The striker scored the opening goal for the U.S. with a wonderfully executed run and chip over goalkeeper Ogmundur Kristinsson.
It may just be one goal in an essentially meaningless friendly, but for Altidore, it might be the start of a prosperous 2016.
The Toronto FC designated player has made a number of lifestyle changes over the past couple of weeks, per ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre:
"I've definitely changed my diet, sleep habits, little things like that to try to adjust. I'm trying to keep myself as lean as possible. [The hamstring problems] have been unfortunate for me but it's something I'm looking at this year to try to take away. ... I'm feeling good. I'm excited. I'm just trying to get myself fit and excited for what looks to be a long, long year.
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Altidore also arrived at camp early, and it clearly paid off.
Now it's up to Klinsmann to decide whether Altidore gets rewarded with another start against Canada. Morris and Kiesewetter are exciting prospects, but it will be tough to ignore Altidore's work ethic thus far.
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