Who I Think Will Start, Who Should Start and Who Should Really Start Against Costa Rica

photo courtesy of US Soccer.

Blake Here

So the U.S. has a couple of tough matches over a four day period. The first is at Saprissa Stadium in Costa Rica – a place that has been not been friendly to say the least. The U.S. has never won in Costa Rica and has never even gained a point at Saprissa Stadium. Having watched the U.S. only manage a draw on the road against a vastly inferior El Salvador side, I am very concerned about this match. The U.S. needs to come out with a lot more intensity then they did against El Salvador if they want to have any hope of managing a draw let alone a win. Given the fact that the savior against El Salvador is out (Hejduk), Altidore’s lack of experience and Pearce’s poor play over the last two games, here is what I think the starting lineup will look like:

Howard

Spector – Onyewu – Bocanegra – Bornstein

Dempsey – Bradley – Mastroeni – Beasley

Donovan -- Ching

And here is the lineup I would like to see given who is in the National Team camp:

Howard

Wynne – Onyewu – Demerit – Bocanegra

Dempsy – Bradley – Donovan – Torres

Altidore – Davies

And here is who I would like to see if I could pick from the entire U.S. Player pool:

Howard

Wynne – Onyewu – Parkhurst – Bocanegra

Dempsey – Bradley – Donovan – Torres

Casey – Altidore

I saw Casey against the Revs a couple of weeks back and he was a beast. Big, physical and with a nice touch. I think I and every other Revs fan in the stadium breathed a sigh of relief when he was subbed out. He had a couple of call ups while Arena was coach and got some limited minutes. I liked what I saw then and he has improved greatly since then. As for Parkhurst, as a Revs fan I have a great fondness for Parkhurst. He is always overlooked because of his slight build, but no U.S. Defender since Pope in his salad days reads the game better. And the drop off in the Revs defense since he left is all too apparent. I though about Feilhaber and Kljestan but Kljestan looked terrible in his last full start and has not looked all that great on the field for Chivas in the MLS. Feilhaber disappeared after that wonder goal against Mexico in the Gold Cup, but his creativity is something the U.S. could use. I know that many would select Adu, but if he can’t get any playing time for Monaco in France, then he doesn’t have what it takes to crack the U.S. midfield. With the exception of Donovan all the midfielders I have selected play on teams in leagues that are considered (and rightly so) far superior to the MLS and not only hold spots on these clubs but also made positive contributions to their teams' standings. I know Wynne hasn’t played overseas yet, but his speed makes up for a lot of mistakes and until Alston from the Revs is ready, he is my pick.

I think we will know within 15 minutes whether or not the U.S. is likely to get a good result. If Costa Rica scores in that first 15 minutes, I think the U.S. loses. If the U.S. scores in that first 15 minutes, then I think they have a chance to walk away with a victory which would be a great achievement for this team. If it is 0-0 I will be nervous as a cat. I will be nervous as a cat the whole game anyway unless the U.S. goes up 3-0 or down 3-0. I look forward to the game and hope to be able to post on a historic victory.