Kind of hard to believe, but we are about a month away from the prelim camp and two months from Ghana. Quick NML rundown on how we stand as a team...
GOALKEEPERS
- There was never much concern here. We know Tim Howard is a boss, one of the most consistent keepers in the world. Brad Guzan as our back-up is just a bonus in case Howard snagged a red or a knock. Rimando will be the third guy and has shown his ability when called upon. The only real question was "could Guzan become the #1?" The answer has been a very firm "no" as Howard might be putting his best ever season together. Great to see after we saw him get beat quite a few times in 2013 on the near post or other uncharacteristic Howard antics.
DEFENSE
- We do have some depth, but that's about it. Geoff Cameron will start, almost definitely at right back. He's such a beast for Stoke - extremely consistent, great tackler, very smart, and plenty athletic. Arguably, besides Crouch and Begovic, their best player this season. Left back is solid; Beasley was the most capped player in 2013 and Fabian Johnson is a very similar player to Cameron. One big question JK will have is who start there, or whether or not to move Johnson forward where he's shown to be a big threat. Combining the two gives the US a lot of speed on the left side.
Of course the biggest question will be the center-back combination, and honestly it wouldn't be shocking to see multiple pairings through out the WC. Besler and Gonzo seems like a safe bet to start against Ghana - they compliment each other best and got the clean sheet in Mexico. However, Goodson paired with Gonzo against Costa Rica (1-0 snow game) and dos a cero. All three are playing, although Goodson and San Jose have looked sub par. Besler-Gonzo has the edge for now.
The rest of the defense is interesting - those six are locks. I'd also bet on Michael Parkhurst, who's move to MLS was perfect and can play anywhere along the backline. The eighth, and likely final defender, could be a variety of people. Brad Evans had a great qualifying run and might have an outside shot at starting at right back, although DeAndre Yedlin got the start against Mexico. Orozco's club refusing to let him go probably cost him a spot. The rest would be long shots; Chandler is hurt and his team is likely getting relegated, John Anthony Brooks didn't show very well in his first start and isn't getting consistent time in Europe, Eric Lichaj is hurt and hasn't played in a few months, Edgar Castillo is still looking for his first good showing for the national team, and Gooch is old as fuck. No one else has a shot.
MIDFIELD
- Michael Bradley also had a great move to MLS and has been bossing every game. The key to the US national team and will probably be the best player on the field in the Ghana game (Kevin Prince Boateng is also an acceptable answer). Jermaine Jones made the move to Turkey and his club moved into the Champions League spot this weekend. All signs point to them anchoring the team in the middle. Kyle Beckerman could challenge Jones and will definitely be on the plane to Brazil. The Zusi is the best creator from the wings and his perfect technical ability will be very useful - I have a very hard time imagining him as anything other than the starting right winger against Ghana. Bedoya, another lock, could challenge him and has been a chess piece in Nantes very impressive mid-table season in France. Donovan is a lock, although it's unsure exactly what his role will be. Could be the spark off the bench? Crazy to imagine our greatest ever player coming off the bench. The greatest story of the past few weeks as been Deuce's surge of scoring - I recently saw a tweet saying it's the second best in MLS history (6 goals in 3 games). After a year of sub-par club performances, this has been a great sign (he'll actually be listed as a forward on the final roster).
That likely leaves one spot, maybe two for a handful of borderline players. Once-locks Torres and Corona seem like long shots at best now. Feilhaber didn't even get called up in January despite a great start in MLS. Sacha seems to have, finally for you'll, fallen out of the picture and can barely get minutes at Anderlecht.
The last guy (or two) will probably come from the following (in order of most likely): Mix, Brad Davis, Danny Williams, Luis Gil, Brek Shea, and Maurice Edu. It really depends on what JK wants to add to the team. Mix seemed like a lock recently, but has struggled to get on the field in Norway, with just 84 minutes in three games (although he did score). Brad Davis seems the more likely of the lefties to get the call, with a solid performance against Mexico and Shea not seeing the field since early March. Danny Williams has struggled with injuries, but Reading look like they will go to the playoffs to get back into the EPL and he's directly competing with Edu; another US player who's international career has been rejuvenated with a move to MLS. He's been rock solid for Philly. Luis Gil will have to beat out Mix, but he's already beaten out Feilhaber and will almost definitely get into the prelim camp.
FORWARD
- It's almost all bad news here. Jozy has played more with the Sunderland u21's this month than the first team and they are surely getting relegated. That said, he's still a lock and it would be really surprising not to see him start every game in Brazil. It'll be vital that he finds the back of the net in the three friendlies. Aron Johannsson has missed two penalties in recent weeks, and has struggled to continue his great form from the first half of the season. He still has a chance to break Jozy's record from last year, but he's definitely not playing well right now. Terrance Boyd has gone six straight appearances without a goal. Eddie Johnson hasn't scored yet this season. The only striker scoring consistently right now is Wondo - who has made a legitimate case for a spot in Brazil. Agudelo scored this weekend and will also almost definitely be in the prelim camp. Only other shot here is Julian Green.
Probably bringing four guys here - Jozy and AJ are the locks. I'd put Boyd at about an 80% chance right now. Only thing hurting him right now is that he hasn't scored in 12 appearances for the US. Can you bring a striker who hasn't scored for you to the World Cup? Julian Green is certainly hoping yes. Eddie Johnson brings versatility and had a great run last year. Wondo is the hot striker right now. Agudelo is the longshot (I suppose along with Green).
In order for that fourth spot, I'd go Wondo, GAM, Green, and then Agudelo.
My guess for biggest snubs: Brad Evans and Eddie Johnson
Biggest surprises: Luis Gil and DeAndre Yedlin