United States fans will get their first chance to see the team that Jürgen Klinsmann has assembled for next month's World Cup in a friendly against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
United States vs. Azerbaijan, 2014 World Cup friendlies: Preview, TV schedule and how to watch online
Team USA continues its World Cup preparations with a friendly against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
While most of Klinsmann's first-choice lineup is likely set, barring injuries, there are major questions about the back line, The U.S. is preparing to enter the World Cup with no central defenders who have previous experience in the world's biggest soccer tournament. Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler look to be the front runners to start, but Omar Gonzalez will be in the mix as well. Fabian Johnson and Timothy Chandler are both candidates for right back, though Johnson has been a regular at the position throughout training camp.
Landon Donovan
The biggest question is about who will fill out the starting lineup in midfield with both Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan out, and Fabian Johnson playing fullback. Those three players made up a stable unit with Graham Zusi and Clint Dempsey over the last couple years, and now someone new is going to have to emerge. That man would appear to be Nantes winger Alejandro Bedoya, but Klinsmann could also insert Kyle Beckerman and play a narrow diamond midfield instead of his usual 4-2-3-1.
Azerbaijan are led by 67-year-old Berti Vogts, a former German international defender who will also serve as a scout for the U.S. during the World Cup.
Projected lineup
United States: Tim Howard; DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson; Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley; Alejandro Bedoya, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi; Jozy Altidore
Match Date/Time: 7 p.m. local, 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), UniMás (U.S. - Spanish), BT Sports 2 (U.K.)
Online: WatchESPN (U.S.)
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