ANTHONY MANNINO- The USA- Mexico game exhibited that the USMNT has its fair share of problems at key positions. This made me wonder (after watching the recent NBA draft) if the US could take one great player at one position what position should they take. To decide what position I will delve into what went wrong during the Gold Cup, and find out what position the USMNT needs the most.

The only limitation is that I will be picking a position for the US not a particular player, and with the expectation that the position I pick would be an immediate starter. Really, this is just a fun way of looking at what the USMNT is missing. The US is now on the clock with the first pick in the draft.

The first problem is the most obvious after the loss against Mexico, and that is the defense. Giving up four goals after leading by two is embarrassing. The US needs some help in defense, but where to start.
The wingbacks may have been the weakest position against Mexico, but that should not continue in the future. A healthy Steve Cherundolo or Timothy Chandler are quality right backs that can help the US defensively and offensively. Also, Eric Lichaj is the solution to the US’ problems at left back.

Verdict- The only dilemma for the wingbacks is depth, and a left back that is left footed. The USMNT has greater problems to fix, and the wingbacks should be strength for the US in the future.

Now on to the centerbacks which is a more problematic position. The starting centerbacks against Mexico were Carlos Bocanegra and Clarence Goodson, who are not young at 32 and 29 respectively.

There is young talent at this position like Omar Gonzalez and Tim Ream, but they have not proved their worth outside the MLS. Zak Whitebread could help fix the US defense woes, but he is constantly injured.

Verdict: This could very well be the position that the US should use a draft pick on. A towering center half combined with TIm Howard would make it hard for any team to score on the USMNT.

The central midfield is the deepest position for the USMNT. Three players have played in the Premier League (Stuart Holden, Jermaine Jones, and Michael Bradley) and Maurice Edu plays for the best team in Scotland. Also, other than Jones most of the talent at this position is fairly young and should help the US for years to come.

Verdict- Using the US’ draft pick here would be a waste. The US has bigger needs at other positions.

Winger is a tricky position for the USMNT.  Landon Donovan and Alejandro Bedoya are quality options to play out wide on the right, but this team is missing a true left-winger. Clint Dempsey has usually been deployed out wide on the left, but he is better suited playing closer to the goal. The left side has been problematic since DaMarcus Beasley fell off the USMNT map.

Verdict- A draft pick at this position would not be a bad pick, but there are still other positions where the US needs more help. Also, Donovan is the best player ever for the USMNT, so while he is still around this position should be fine.

The new formation for the US, a 4-2-3-1, means that having a quality central attacking midfielder is crucial. The good news is this is whereDempsey is best suited. This position gives Dempsey the freedom to roam where he wants, and he is still very close to the goal. Also, Freddy Adu can play this position and if he builds off his recent Gold Cup performances (knock on wood). Other options for this position are Stuart Holden, Mix Diskerud, and Jose Francesco Torres.

Verdict- There could never be enough depth at this position, and the more creative midfielders the better. Still there are more important needs for the US than a center attacking midfielder.

The starting lineup that Bradley used against Mexico leads to the obvious problems that the US has at the striker position. With Jozy Altidore out injured, Bradley elected to not have a true number nine in the starting lineup. Going through the US options at the striker position the problems the team has are easy to see: Juan Agudelo (inexperience), Wondo (talent at International level), Teal Bunbury (unproven at international level), Charlie Davies (recovering from injury), and Altidore (playing time with club).

Verdict- The US needs a striker that is playing well consistency. It hurts to watch Chicharito step on the pitch and always perform well for Mexico. The US could do with a forward that will make smart runs into the box and open up the game for Dempsey and Donovan. A striker is a position the US needs right now, and a draft pick should be used here.

The two biggest needs for the US are a striker or a centerback (this must make everyone hate Giuseppe Rossi and Neven Subotic that much more). It comes down to what do you personally prefer, a better offensive team or better defensive team? Defensive does when championships, but if you cannot score you cannot win.

For me, I would take a centerback to cut down the early defensive lapses the USMNT loves to have. This would give the offense a better chance to win the game for the US. Also, having Howard in net with a backline of Chandler, drafter player-Boca-Lichaj is a solid defense. The US has proven they can win games with only Dempsey and Donovan scoring, so that gives the need of a centerback a slight edge.

The clock is now on you, what position would you draft for the US?

by Anthony