USA vs. Scotland Friendly - Pre-view

Today's friendly will showcase Jurgen Kilsmann's new look USA side.  On the quest to finalize the 23 man World Cup Qualifying roster, this game could be vital in finding a new formation and securing places in the starting team sheet.

USA

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) 

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland) 

Midfielders (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca) 

Forwards (6): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Possible Starting Line-up

              (4-3-2-1)

GK- Howard
DEF- Cherundolo, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Johnson
Holding MID- Bradley, Beckerman, Jones
Attacking MID- Donovan, Torres
FWD- Boyd 

Available- Castillo, Cameron, Corona, Edu, Gomez, Wondolowski

Out- Dempsey (Groin), Parkhurst/Goodson (Arrived Late at Camp), Altidore (Still With AZ Alkmaar) 


Scotland


Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Craig Gordon (Sunderland), Allan McGregor (Rangers)

Defenders: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian), Steven Whittaker (Rangers) 

Midfielders: Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Don Cowie (Cardiff City), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic) 

Forwards: David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton and Hove Albion), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), Kenny Miller (Cardiff City), Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Johnny Russell (Dundee United)


Possible Starting Line-up

              (4-1-4-1)

GK- MacGregor
DEF- Whittaker, Caldwell, Bardsley, Berra
Holding MID- Cowie
MID- Bannan, Brown, McArthur, Maloney 
FWD- Miller 

Available: Martin, Mulgrew, Wallace, Webster, Bryson, Goodwillie, Mackail-Smith, Phillips, Russell 

Keys To Win-USA
  
  - The ability of Michael Bradley and Kyle Beckerman to control the pace of the game.
  
  - Altidore's work rate, when he has scored USA is 8-3-0 

  - Continuing of Clint Dempsey's fantastic form, scored only goal against Italy

History 

 - Have met 6 times, USA (1-3-2)

 - Last meeting, 1-1 draw

 - USA is 3-0 in last three friendlies

 - USA is currently ranked 29th in FIFA rankings

- Scotland is currently ranked 48th in FIFA rankings

- Landon Donovan will make his 139 international appearance, most on team 

- Clint Dempsey scored 23 goals in all competitions at his club Fulham, setting a record for the most an American has scored over seas, he will leave a large whole in the attacking strength of the US. I pick Terrance Boyd to fill the void tonight 

Players of the Game

- Tim Howard: The USA looks shaky at times, even when at there best they have been proven to making two or three large mistakes.  As long as Howard is alert the win should be easy

- Shaun Maloney/James McArthur: The Wigan midfield combination played extremely well in order to save Wigan from relegation this season.  The pair can both defend and attack, Michael Bradley and Jose Torres must keep an eye on them

Hidden Gems

- Terrance Boyd: Scored 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund's second team, I believe he is ready for the jump the the international level.

- Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu, Steven Whittaker, Lee Wallace and Alan MacGregor are all teammates at Rangers FC

- Andy Webster and Matt Phillips both are receiving there first international caps for Scotland 


Prediction



USA over Scotland 

Enough said