CHICAGO – The US national team players already seem to know midfielder Jermaine Jones well enough, despite the fact that the Schalke 04 midfielder is only in his first formal camp with the USMNT.
In fact, US forward Clint Dempsey and midfielder Stuart Holden gave virtually identical scouting reports for Jones on Thursday.
“He has a lot of bite to him, gets stuck in on challenges and is good getting forward,” Dempsey said.
“On the field he provides a bit of bite,” said Holden, adding that “he closes people down well but at the same time can pick out a pass.”
WATCH: HOLDEN, DEMPSEY ON JONES
The evaluation fits the mold of US World Cup midfielder Michael Bradley, who has several of the same qualities. Bradley, who also plays in the Bundesliga for Borussia Mönchengladbach, is expected to pair up with Jones in central midfield for Saturday’s match against Poland at Soldier Field.
Like Bradley, Jones is also capable of putting the ball into the back of the net, Dempsey said.
“He’s a player that can chip in with goals here and there from what I’ve seen in training,” Dempsey said. “I think he’s a bright spot for us and he can look to help us in the future.”
Although he is not comfortable enough with his English to address the media (Steve Cherundolo serves as his German translator), he apparently gets by when it comes to communicating with his teammates.
“It takes a little bit getting used to [for Jones] because we have people with different dialects from all parts of the US, and it takes him a while to get what people are saying,” Dempsey said. “He’s picking it up and speaks pretty well.”
Given the absence of Landon Donovan and the fact that Dempsey will be pushed up to forward, the US will need to look to their central midfielders to jumpstart the attack. It should make for a pressure-packed evening for Jones, but his high-level European experience should help the 28-year-old in his USA debut.
“Jermaine’s fit into the group really well,” Holden said. “He’s a nice guy off the field. … I’m Looking forward to playing with him and the qualities he brings to the national team.”
