USA Soccer vs. Honduras: Possession Will Be Key for Jurgen Klinsmann's Side

Jurgen Klinsmann has long been known for his aggressive, attacking style. As a player, Klinsmann accounted for 47 goals in 108 caps at striker for Germany, and more than 200 goals during his club career.

As a coach, Klinsmann's sides with the German national team and Bayern Munich were always well-regarded for pushing forward and making things happen in front of the net.

That ethos has yet to seep its way into the water supply for the U.S. Men's National Team, which has managed just one goal in three friendlies under Klinsmann—hardly anything to write home about.

Saturday's match against Honduras at Sun Life Stadium in Miami will provide a perfect opportunity for the Americans to brush up on their attack.

Honduras (nicknamed "La H") will be without central defenders Wilson Palacios and Hendry Thomas, thereby making the task of possessing the ball, something with which Team USA have struggled under Klinsmann, a bit more manageable.

And with the ball finally within their grasp on a consistent basis, the Americans should be able to dictate tempo and put on the sort of offensive display that Klinsmann has craved from his new club.

Star winger Landon Donovan won't play as he is nursing a strain in his right quadriceps.

Edson Buddle, who performed well for Team USA at the 2010 World Cup, will take Donovan's place on the roster, though FC Dallas forward Brek Shea figures to claim Donovan's spot in Klinsmann's starting XI.

All told, the central midfield trio of Michael Bradley, Kyle Beckerman and Maurice Edu should be able to control the ball and keep Shea, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore well-fed up front.

The key, then, will be for Altidore—known to this point as "The Drifter"—to keep his head in the game and put forth a complete 90-minute effort.

If the Americans can hang onto the ball for juuust a bit against a depleted Honduras side, they should be more than able to give Klinsmann his first win as coach.

More importantly, such would allow the core around which Klinsmann hopes to build to brush up on their coach's new offensive scheme against live competition.

A small step, to be sure, but a significant one for US soccer, nonetheless.