Beckerman and Zusi could step in for U.S. in semifinal
HOUSTON — The U.S. national team arrived at Houston Sports Park on Saturday for its first workout since the Copa America Centenario quarterfinal victory over Ecuador in Seattle.
With them came concerns about the lineup. In the group stage, coach Jurgen Klinsmann did not make any changes. DeAndre Yedlin’s red card forced one move in the quarterfinal. And now a series of suspensions will likely prompt wholesale changes against Argentina.
The U.S. Soccer Federation filed a protest with tournament organizers in an effort to have suspensions to Jermaine Jones (red card) and Bobby Wood (two yellows in the tournament) rescinded.
If the USSF appeals are rejected, Klinsmann will have to replace three starters: Jones, Wood and Alejandro Bedoya (two yellows in the tournament).
Kyle Beckerman (Arundel) is the clear choice to replace Jones in central midfield. He’s started in big games before and shouldn’t have trouble coordinating with Michael Bradley. Beckerman’s tenacious work will help liberate Bradley — but against Argentina, everyone is going to be doing a lot of defending. Semifinal
“I try to prepare each game like I am going to start and be ready the best I can,” said Beckerman, who came on in the second half in each of the past three matches. “It will be the same as usual — be ready to go.”
With Yedlin’s return from suspension, Klinsmann is likely to revert to the original back four of Yedlin, Geoff Cameron, John Brooks and Fabian Johnson.
Wood’s absence creates a slot for Graham Zusi (Maryland) to start on the right flank. In one likely scenario, Klinsmann could deploy Zusi and Gyasi Zardes on the flanks, partner Beckerman and Bradley in the middle, drop leading scorer Clint Dempsey to withdrawn forward and insert veteran striker Chris Wondolowski up top to apply high pressure and ease the burden on Dempsey against a possessiondominant Argentine side.
That arrangement would leave Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe for attacking upgrades, if needed, in the second half.