Today’s topic: Ream, Onweyu, Agudelo and tonight’s U.S.-Paraguay match

I wrote a preview (an “advance” in the journo vernacular) for tonight’s U.S. national team contest down in the Volunteer State; there you’ll find 1,000 words at SI.com with all the basics you need to know to properly cheer your U.S. lads loud and proud. Grab y’er foam fingers.

Personally, while I watch tonight’s match against Paraguay, I’m looking for three things:

First, I’m watching center back Tim Ream, who is likely to start. I’m watching him closely – and there is a damn good reason why.

I think Oguchi Onweyu needs to earn his spot again. He hasn’t been a quality defender in 18 months, since that knee injury in October of 2009.

Honestly, when was the last time Onweyu had a quality night in the U.S. shirt? Bob Bradley keeps giving the man chances, but Onyewu simply doesn’t own the confidence at the moment. His defending the other night wasn’t terrible. Yes, he could have done better, but we have to consider the opposition. Argentina’s attackers have made better defenders wobble.

But at this level, defenders absolutely must be adept at both of the rear guard’s primary responsibilities: stop AND distribute. His passing, such as it was, simply wasn’t anywhere near international quality. It wasn’t even amateur league quality in some spots. After nearly getting disposed early in the match, and after a few inaccurate efforts, it looked like the big guy simply gave up. From there he simply resorted to “kick and hope.” That’s not good enough.

Some of it was Argentina’s unsettling, pressing ways. Some is on target man Jozy Altidore, who must better recognize when defenders are desperate for an outlet and make his presence noticed.

But generally, it’s on Onyewu. Passing from the back at international level means creating space with your first touch and then passing with authority and precision from there. Onweyu isn’t close at the moment.

That’s why I’m watching Ream, whose best quality is his composed, accurate distribution. No, it’s not exactly a fair comparison. Paraguay is a quality South American opponent, but Gerardo Martino’s team will drop deeper and permit some of the initial passing out of the back. Still, if Ream can defend properly at this level, I’d still say he’s a better option at the moment in central defense … at least until Onyewu proves once again that he can do the job.

This isn’t just about defense. It’s about offense, too. The American team has scored 10 goals in its last 10 games. That’s not much. Bradley’s men haven’t scored more than twice in any match since a very low-profile friendly against Australia just before last year’s World Cup. That’s exactly 10 games ago.

Better passing out of the back creates more opportunities in possession, which can lead to more goals (fingers crossed).

That brings to us to point No. 2.

As I said in the SI.com advance, Bradley is certain to make lots of lineup changes tonight. He wants to protect his players against overuse, especially the European-based men who have taxing travel ahead. As Edson Buddle has already returned to Europe, we’re sure to see more of Juan Agudelo tonight. (He and Altidore are the only true strikers in camp.)

I wouldn’t be shocked if Agudelo gets his first start. And that’s why I’m particularly interested.

The 18-year-old striker has certainly shown he can impact a match off the bench. Three times in three opportunities is a clear trend. Now …

He has to show that he can do it as a starter, and that’s a whole different jar of pickles.

By the way, if he does start and doesn’t get the job done, I’m not saying the man is done. He’s just 18 for heaven’s sake. If he can perform as a starter, especially against a quality South American defense, then we’re really onto something.

If he struggles (and I suspect we’ll see more of his deficiencies when he’s in the starting 11) then maybe we’ll all come back down to Earth on the guy and realize he remains a work in progress – although a very promising one.

Finally, I’m looking at that right back position. I suspect we’ll see Timothy Chandler and Eric Lichaj in some time-share of the spot. Both look like interesting prospects, so it’s a situation worth watching. I’ve long defended Steve Cherundolo as an underrated element in the national team pool. On the other hand, ol’ Steve won’t be around forever. Chandler and Lichaj tell us there’s something in the cupboard.