France vs. USA: 6 Key Matchups for the International Friendly

The US Men's National Team will get one last opportunity to bulk up Jürgen Klinsmann's rather disappointing record since taking over as head coach, as they hit the road for a pair of international friendlies—first comes France on Friday, followed by Slovenia and a chance for a rematch from the 2010 World Cup group stages. 

Here are six potential key matchups that could change the game for either the USMNT or France, assuming everyone chosen for the selection remains fit, the coaches stick to their usual formations and so on and so forth. If you want to share your match-day predictions, by all means, have at it in the comments.

Hugo Lloris vs. Jozy Altidore

It's sometimes hard to believer Jozy Altidore is only 22 (as of this week), as it feels like it's been eons since the 2010 World Cup and his stock is still ever rising. He's been a force at Alkmaar all season, scoring his most recent goal on his birthday and helping his Eredivisie club defeat ADO Den Haag. Whether deployed alongside Donovan or as a lone striker, depending on how Klinsi is feeling that day, the USMNT will be relying on Altidore to work some magic in their opponent's goal.

His adversary in the net will most likely be Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris, the current go-to best remembered for captaining Les Bleus in their 2-1 defeat at Wembley in 2010. Lloris has maintained 13 clean sheets in the net for France and will be their most crucial line of defense against Altidore's powerful finish. 

Franck Ribéry vs. Timmy Chandler

One crucial battle on the wings will be between the veteran Bayern Munich and France wide attacker Franck Ribéry and his versatile foil, 21-year-old FC Nuremberg wing-back Timothy Chandler.

Ribéry, a fast and technically gifted player touted for his accurate passing and adept dribbling, has been a key impact player at Bayern this season since recovering from an ankle injury, netting a brace against Freiburg and he's slowly returning to good graces with Les Bleus' supporters with recent international performances following his conduct during and around the 2010 World Cup.

Chandler is a rising star on the USMNT who was one of the bright spots in the most recent friendly, a loss to Ecuador. He was fast, tenacious, good on the ball and exactly the kind of player the Yanks need to take on formidable veterans like Ribéry. 

Laurent Koscielny vs. Clint Dempsey

Laurent Koscielny and Clint Dempsey have faced each other a few times in the Premiership with Arsenal and Fulham, respectively, so they're plenty used to one another's company.

The veterans have both been in good form as of late: The centre-back has played some of his best matches in an Arsenal shirt (including a Man of the Match-caliber showing in the Gunners' Champions League win over Olympique Marseille and delivering again in the Gunners' 5-3 win over Chelsea) and Dempsey was the catalyst of the USMNT's attack in the last international friendly against Ecuador, creating chances left and right and putting in a strong effort.

Both are experienced, fierce and highly physical, so expect a powerful struggle in the France box between these two.

Oguchi Onyewu vs. Samir Nasri

In another case of veteran versus a young player whose career has exploded as of late, we have France and Manchester City's creative, sprightly attacker Samir Nasri on the offense facing a resurgent Oguchi Onyewu. Nasri has become a fixture for Les Bleus, given the captain's armband for a match in March and scoring the equalizing goal that cemented France's spot in the Euro 2012 tournament.

It looked for a while as though USMNT centre-back Oguchi Onyewu's international career was over, but then he surprised everyone with a pair of standout performances in the last round of international friendlies, keeping Ecuador's formidable attack at bay and even getting forward at times. 

Yann M'Vila vs. Brek Shea

It's the battle of the young, transfer-rumor-laden upstarts! Brek Shea has impressed in the MLS with FC Dallas and in the matches since his USMNT debut earlier this season, asserting himself as an energetic, creative force, linking up well with his teammates in the last friendly against Ecuador and demonstrating great tenacity and reaction time. His recent strong performances have even led to rumors about Premiership clubs knocking at his door. 

His adversary in the midfield could be another Premiership transfer target: Rennes' highly rated 21-year-old holding midfielder, Yann M'Vila. A strong, tough-tackling defender, M'Vila already has quite a bit of international competition under his belt and has become a fixture for Les Bleus in the Euro 2012 competition, and he may be just the person to take down the energetic Brek Shea. 

Laurent Blanc vs. Jürgen Klinsmann

Let's not forget the most important matchup of them all: the coaches themselves. 

They have quite a bit in common, Messrs. Blanc and Klinsmann. Both had relatively successful careers in Europe as players, with Blanc earning the affectionate nickname of "Le Président" for his leadership and goal scoring at Marseille and Klinsmann becoming something of a beloved cult hero at Tottenham Hotspur.

Both were brought in to replace coaches who led their respective sides to disappointing finishes in the 2010 World Cup. And both are trying to reshape their respective teams as contenders before serious international competition—the Euro tournament in Blanc's case and the 2014 World Cup in Klinsmann's. The faceoff should prove an important decision-making test for both, and we'll see whose tactics and squad choices come out on top.