This international window was supposed to be about getting looks at new players and trying new things. Jurgen Klinsmann did not disappoint in that regard.
Czech Republic vs. United States: Lineups
Jurgen Klinsmann goes with inverted full backs and no true defensive midfielder
The United States will line up in a 4-3-3 with Joe Gyau and Julian Green flanking Joze Altidore on the forward line, no true defensive midfielder and inverted full backs for Wednesday's friendly against Czech Republic.
#USMNT head coach @J_Klinsmann names a 4-3-3 lineup today. Kickoff at 2:15 pm ET. Your thoughts on the XI? pic.twitter.com/lpm6tVEkTM
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 3, 2014 The Czech lineup will look like this:
Czech lineup vs. #usmnt : Cech; Kaderabek, Prochaszka, Kadlec, Limbersky; Darida, Jiracek, Rosicky, Pilar, Krejci; Vydra
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) September 3, 2014 The USMNT lineup has plenty of talking points. The one that jumps out first is the midfield, which features Joe Corona as a central attacker and Mix Diskerud and Alejandro Bedoya in more box-to-box or shuttling roles. Alfredo Morales was the only true defensive midfielder to be called into this training camp and he was left on the bench, which could put the United States at a bit of a disadvantage when trying to win the ball back.
Other notable decisions include giving Green and Gyau their first senior international starts and inverting Fabian Johnson and Timmy Chandler at fullback. Green and Gyau have just four caps between them, while Johnson has featured mostly on the left side and Chandler mostly on the right at club level.
Although Nick Rimando was not included in the lineup graphic, U.S. Soccer sent out a subsequent tweet clarifying the oversight. Rimando is expected to play the second half in relief of Brad Guzan. Other intriguing bench options include the uncapped group of Greg Garza, Emerson Hyndman, Jordan Morris and Rubio Rubin.
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