The United States enters tonight's World Cup qualifier against Antigua and Barbuda in a three-way tie with Jamaica and Guatemala atop Group A with two matches left to play. That is hardly the position they wanted to be in considering that only two teams advance to the final round of qualifying, but that is where they stand.
USA vs. Antigua and Barbuda: Lineups
Luckily for them, they get to play the Benna Boys, who should not give the Americans any trouble. Four years ago Antigua and Barbuda went out in the second round of qualifying to Cuba 8-3 on aggregate and while they have done well to keep matches close, they have just one point. That should ease any concerns the U.S. has about their injuries, which frankly, isn’t so bad.
Jurgen Klinsmann has opted to put Carlos Bocanegra at left back in the absence of any healthy, true left backs. He has plenty of experience there, though, so it shouldn't matter. The surprise of the team might be Jermaine Jones missing, but he is a yellow card away from suspension and battling injury. Eddie Johnson gets the start and will likely just be circling the box waiting for a cross.
The team is being described as a 4-4-2, but that is unlikely. Odds are that Michael Bradley and Danny Williams sit a bit deeper and that the four in front of them have free reign to do as they please. Considering that the U.S. will be on the ball and in the attacking half all match, that is perfectly fine.
United States: Howard; Bocanegra, Cameron, Goodson, Cherundolo; Bradley, Williams; Johnson, Dempsey, Zusi; Gomez.
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