Four men who matter for U.S. World Cup hopes

U.S. participation in two of the world’s biggest soccer touaments could be decided over the next few days.

The Olympic team faces Colombia in a two-game home and away playoff series Friday and Tuesday with a spot in Rio de Janeiro on the line; the senior squad takes on CONCACAF rivals Guatemala in the second round of World Cup qualifying on the same dates.

The biggest prize, of course, is the World Cup. And after securing four points in its first two games, the U.S. could all but wrap up a spot in the 2018 touament with consecutive wins.

“We expect a very difficult game and a very hot-tempered game,” Klinsma said of Friday’s contest (7 p.m. on beIN Sport and NBC Universo).

“We would like to beat them in Guatemala City and then beat them as well in Columbus in front of our fans,” (4 p.m. on ESPN2 and UniMas) he added. “That will give us six points and will virtually qualify us already for the next round.”

But the U.S. is a team in transition two years removed from the 2018 World Cup with veterans perhaps giving way to younger players who will need to up their games.

Here’s a look at four key players for the U.S. and their respective national roles:

Goalkeeper Tim Howard

After more than a decade in the EPL, Howard aounced earlier this week at age 37 he would retu to the U.S with the Colorado Rapids at the end of the European season.

If Howard’s club career never reached the heights he had hoped after joining glamorous Manchester United from the MetroStars, he was nonetheless a reliable and occasionally spectacular stalwart for mid-table Everton and an American team deficient in so many other places.

Part of a succession of inteational class U.S. goalkeepers that included Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel, the U.S. has never had to worry about a lack of quality in the position since the mode era began with qualification for the 1990 World Cup.

But now U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsma has signaled that Howard is no longer the automatic first choice. No fewer than four goalkeepers are in camp vying for the job including front ruer Brad Guzan of Aston Villa.

Howard, however, hopes to play in one more World Cup before retiring.

Advertisement

“I didn’t expect to play beyond the age of 40,” he said, “but it looks like that’s going to happen, and you know what, my body feels great.”

Central defender Omar Gonzalez

The former Galaxy defender’s form in Liga MX has impressed Klinsma since he joined Pachuca in the MLS offseason.

“He’s been playing a very strong first couple of months with the new club since he went down there coming from the LA Galaxy, which is exciting,” Klinsma said.

There was a suspicion Gonzalez was getting a tad comfortable with MLS and the Galaxy. The move to a higher class Latin American league, where conditions are often similar to World Cup qualifying road games in Central America, can only benefit the U.S. national team.

Midfielder Gyasi Zardes

The Hawthoe native is still maturing and searching for his best position, but has become a national team regular, while European clubs reportedly keep courting him to move overseas.

The modest Zardes, who is often willing to play second fiddle to teammates like Robbie Keane, signed a Galaxy contract extension instead and has settled down with a wife, a child and another on the way.

If domestic bliss is a possible sign of complacency, then at age 24 Zardes will need to spur himself on and move up another gear to assure inteational success.

Striker Bobby Wood

With Jozy Altidore battling injury, the ultra-hot Wood could be the go-to guy for the U.S.

He has banged in 14 goals in 25 games for his new German second division team and is reportedly attracting the attention of big clubs like Liverpool, Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen.

“The first league has to be his goal,” Klinsma was quoted as saying this week. “He’s not a national team player by mistake.”

For more local soccer news, read the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer.