10 Biggest USMNT Questions Heading Into 2016

10 Biggest USMNT Questions Heading Into 2016

By Douglas Smith

November 19, 2015

This week marks the last time the USMNT will be together in 2015. Jurgen Klinsmann and his staff now turn their eyes to scouting and the upcoming January camp which will be full of MLS players looking to make an impression. The team is left with plenty of questions as the calendar year comes to an end. The search for answers could drag on, but here is a look at what U.S. Soccer must address.

Douglas Smith is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

arrow-left — A couple more MLS players made their debut on the national team this past week. That might be good news for some others hoping to get back to the senior team. Players like Dax McCarty and Lee Nguyen will likely get a call-up to the January camp and hope to make a lasting impression.

arrow-right — A couple more MLS players made their debut on the national team this past week. That might be good news for some others hoping to get back to the senior team. Players like Dax McCarty and Lee Nguyen will likely get a call-up to the January camp and hope to make a lasting impression.

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arrow-left — Nagbe was called up at the first available chance and played in both World Cup qualifiers. Fans are dreaming of a midfield spine with Nagbe, Michael Bradley and a destroyer. Signs point to Nagbe being a mainstay, but only time will tell.

arrow-right — Nagbe was called up at the first available chance and played in both World Cup qualifiers. Fans are dreaming of a midfield spine with Nagbe, Michael Bradley and a destroyer. Signs point to Nagbe being a mainstay, but only time will tell.

arrow-left — Not calling Dempsey in for the first two World Cup qualifiers is a bit puzzling. He was the captain of the USMNT not too long ago and seemed to be over his rash of injuries. He has not had great performances for the USMNT of late, but it seems too early to be the end of Deuce.

arrow-right — Not calling Dempsey in for the first two World Cup qualifiers is a bit puzzling. He was the captain of the USMNT not too long ago and seemed to be over his rash of injuries. He has not had great performances for the USMNT of late, but it seems too early to be the end of Deuce.

arrow-left — The U23 team has plenty of talent, but the performances have just not been good enough. Some of the players are making the jump to the senior side, but many will argue that any progression for these players could take a big hit if they fail to qualifying for the Olympics. A home-and-home series against Colombia in early 2016 will determine if it is another failed campaign or if the team should pack their bags for Rio.

arrow-right — The U23 team has plenty of talent, but the performances have just not been good enough. Some of the players are making the jump to the senior side, but many will argue that any progression for these players could take a big hit if they fail to qualifying for the Olympics. A home-and-home series against Colombia in early 2016 will determine if it is another failed campaign or if the team should pack their bags for Rio.

arrow-left — Altidore always struggles with consistent effort. Against Trinidad and Tobago he came back to take the ball, performed well in hold up play and put in work defensively. That effort lets viewers know he is engaged. That does not happen all the time, and it is just as easy to see when Altidore is not in the match. He is the only real target forward currently in the picture, so the team needs more consistency.

arrow-right — Altidore always struggles with consistent effort. Against Trinidad and Tobago he came back to take the ball, performed well in hold up play and put in work defensively. That effort lets viewers know he is engaged. That does not happen all the time, and it is just as easy to see when Altidore is not in the match. He is the only real target forward currently in the picture, so the team needs more consistency.

arrow-left — The U.S. will host the two confederation, 16-team tournament in June. The USMNT will have a big test against some of the best teams in the world. The pressure is on them to perform admirably and build confidence for the team going forward.

arrow-right — The U.S. will host the two confederation, 16-team tournament in June. The USMNT will have a big test against some of the best teams in the world. The pressure is on them to perform admirably and build confidence for the team going forward.

arrow-left — It is unclear if Klinsmann just does not trust a certain subset of players or if they are really not performing at a high enough level. Regardless, the team is lacking depth in many places. The starting outside backs tend to be out of position, and after the top choice at most positions there is a lot of uncertainty. Perhaps allowing MLS players back into the player pool will help, but it may take time to build the necessary depth.

arrow-right — It is unclear if Klinsmann just does not trust a certain subset of players or if they are really not performing at a high enough level. Regardless, the team is lacking depth in many places. The starting outside backs tend to be out of position, and after the top choice at most positions there is a lot of uncertainty. Perhaps allowing MLS players back into the player pool will help, but it may take time to build the necessary depth.

arrow-left — Klinsmann has stated that he has two No. 1 keepers, but swapping out Brad Guzan and Tim Howard cannot last. Eventually Klinsmann will have to choose a true No. 1 that will hopefully joined a consistent back four.

arrow-right — Klinsmann has stated that he has two No. 1 keepers, but swapping out Brad Guzan and Tim Howard cannot last. Eventually Klinsmann will have to choose a true No. 1 that will hopefully joined a consistent back four.

arrow-left — Players like Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin are often called out for their poor first touch. Promising attacks go by the wayside from misplayed first touches far too often with the USMNT. Brilliant passes are squandered, and the team must work on technique and fundamentals.

arrow-right — Players like Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin are often called out for their poor first touch. Promising attacks go by the wayside from misplayed first touches far too often with the USMNT. Brilliant passes are squandered, and the team must work on technique and fundamentals.

arrow-left — In many other countries Klinsmann would have been fired by now. There were far too many missteps and results that did not match his spoken expectations. Klinsmann refuses to take the blame for anything and fails to call any performance poor. He is signed through this World Cup cycle, so many say he is under no pressure. However, if the results continue to suffer, the call for change will grow louder.

arrow-right — In many other countries Klinsmann would have been fired by now. There were far too many missteps and results that did not match his spoken expectations. Klinsmann refuses to take the blame for anything and fails to call any performance poor. He is signed through this World Cup cycle, so many say he is under no pressure. However, if the results continue to suffer, the call for change will grow louder.

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