:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16185075/173059983.0.jpg)
United States head coach has made several changes to the squad that defeated Guatemala 6-0 on Friday in a friendly. Besides the personnel changes, it seems Klinsmann has also shifted his tactics a little, opting for a defensive midfielder and two strikers.
USA Lineup (4-1-3-2): GK Nick Rimando; LB DaMarcus Beasley [C], CB Clarence Goodson, CB Michael Orozco Fiscal, RB Michael Parkhurst; CDM Kyle Beckerman, LM Jose Torres, CM Mix Diskerud, RM Joe Corona; ST Chris Wondolowski, ST Landon Donovan
Belize Lineup (4-3-3): GK Shane Orio; DEF Trevor Lannan, Dalton Eiley, Ashley Torres, Evral Trapp; MID Ian Gaynair, Elroy Smith, Tyrone Smith; FOR Evan Mariano, Deon McCaulay, Harrison Roches.
The changes from the Guatemala starting lineup are Fiscal for Onyewu in defense, Diskerud for Edgar Castillo in the midfield and Wondolowski for Herculez Gomez up top. Landon Donovan will shift from the midfield to striker and Jose Torres moves from the second defensive mid spot over to the left side.
This is an interesting idea, almost a diamond midfield 4-1-2-1-2, with Diskerud the attacking midfielder. I like Klinsmann's idea to adapt to the personnel that he has available to him and that he as games against Belize and Cuba to tinker with lineups, but I think Beckerman should be used almost like a baseball closer, bringing him in off the bench in the second half. I like Diskerud in the center coming off his performance against Guatemala, plus he'll be cap tied for the USMNT after the start. The two strikers I think will actually work well, with Donovan dropping off into the midfield.
Also I think Klinsmann has to worry about some of his players fitness and the turf at Jeld-Wen (despite it being awesome) as Onyewu, Holden and Gomez start on the bench. Formation aside, the US would do well to avoid the slow start against they had against Guatemala and really attack Belize and get on the scoreboard early and often.
As for Belize, that doesn't look like a formation that is going to park the bus. I guess if Belize is going down, Ian Mork is going down swinging and trying to make a statement. He thinks some of his guys can play in MLS and while we might not see if that's true tonight, we should over the course of the tournament.
Chime in with your thoughts on the lineup as we count down to kick off from Portland.