WASHINGTON – Jurgen Klinsmann sent his backline an early message when he called a whopping nine defenders into this week's US national team camp, eight of them center backs by nature. If anyone thought they were shoo-ins for a major role, the sheer number of competitors alongside them would've quickly scotched any hint of complacency.
Against Peru on Friday, Klinsmann managed to do himself one better, getting almost all of them playing time in a 2-1 comeback win at RFK Stadium. (Only Greg Garza and Jonathan Spector did not see the field, and that's because they did not dress for the match.) Seven players appeared in the four defensive slots of the USMNT's 4-4-2 shape, providing the coaching staff with ample fodder for evaluation as they seek the ideal quartet for next month's CONCACAF Cup meeting with Mexico.
“I think we all gave the roster a second look and were a little surprised at the number of center backs,” said Tim Ream, Friday's left back and the only defender to play all 90 minutes. “But knowing Geoff [Cameron] can play right back, knowing myself can play left back, Michael Orozco can play left back, we knew that there was going to be quite a lot of rotation.
“It's been fun – the competition this week has been intense. It’s been fun; we're all pushing each other. We all want to see each other do well. But we all want to play in front of the next guy, so it creates a good atmosphere.”
After keeping faith with the young center-back tandem of Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks during the Gold Cup despite several hiccups throughout the tournament, Klinsmann seems to have thrown the depth chart wide open. Brooks started next to LA Galaxy mainstay Omar Gonzalez in the middle against Peru, but Alvarado and Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler finished out the night, while Cameron and Orozco each played a half on the right.
“I felt comfortable, just happy to get back out on the field with my teammates and contribute and help the team win,” said Besler, who provided a calming presence in his first cap since February. “And we needed to get a win tonight.
“We’re all playing for the same colors. We compete very hard with each other, but we support each other as well. When our numbers are called, we cheer for each other.”
If Klinsmann took any conclusive observations from the sum of the 90 minutes, he wasn't letting on.
“I want to get them time on the field. I want them to get playing time independent of the result and that moment. I think all of them did fine. It’s good,” he said, specifically singling out Ream, Orozco and Cameron for praise. “There was a good energy there, there’s support for each other in the locker room – even in competition for that spot, it’s very respectful. But it’s also very dynamic as well.
“So this is good to see, and we feel good about it and we feel good about our defenders, both on the flank and in the middle, that they can get the job done.”
Klinsmann may yet decide to pick a first-choice foursome and stick with it against Brazil in Foxborough, Mass., on Tuesday. Yet even if more auditions continue to stoke a high rate of personnel turnover, the group sees it as a chance for team building.
“As much as there is mixing and matching and rotation, you have to find a rhythm with the guys next to you,” said Ream. “I think this week everyone's done a good job of that. Communication is a big thing when there's a lot of rotation, and communication between everybody has been great. … [We're] getting to know each other better and the way each other plays on the field.”
