COLUMBUS: With the chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in dire straits, U.S. men’s soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann turned to a University of Akron product to help set the tone.
To spark the Americans’ 4-0 victory over Guatemala on Tuesday night at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Klinsmann shifted his alignment to a 4-3-3 and made five lineup changes, including moving ex-Zip defender DeAndre Yedlin to right back.
Now with Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League, Yedlin had been a winger in a crushing Good Friday loss at Guatemala City and had previously played full-back.
“The clear message was attack, you’ve got to go forward, you’ve got to score goals, you have to get the three points,” Klinsmann said of his lineup adjustments. “With DeAndre, you have a very attacking-minded right back.”
Yedlin returned to Ohio on a roll. He had started Sunderland’s past six league matches and helped the Black Cats to a six-game unbeaten streak, including victories over Manchester United and West Ham United.
A two-time Mid-American Conference first-team selection, Yedlin left UA in 2013 as a homegrown signee of the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer. His pro career skyrocketed as he made the MLS All-Star team as a rookie. He was transferred by Seattle to Tottenham in August, 2014, and is now on a season-loan to Sunderland.
Yedlin, 22, debuted with the U.S. men’s national team on Feb. 1, 2014, in a friendly against Korea. Later that year, he was named to the final World Cup roster and earned starts against Azerbaijan, Ecuador and Columbia en route to being named U.S. Soccer’s 2014 young male athlete of the year.
Klinsmann’s dilemma on how to use Yedlin is an example of the criticism over frequent lineup changes that had some calling for the coach’s ouster before Tuesday’s match. A German and one of the best-known international players of all time, Klinsmann has been at the helm since July, 2011.
A U.S. Soccer public relations man pointed out figures from the Elias Sports Bureau during Tuesday’s post-game news conference. Although it was Klinsmann’s 80th different lineup in 82 games, his predecessor Bob Bradley used 77 in 80 games and Bruce Arena 129 in 130 games, according to Elias.
“So much for consistency,” Klinsmann said, drawing laughter.
The U.S. has been forced to juggle due to injuries to defenders John Brooks (knee) and Matt Besler (concussion) and midfielder Fabian Johnson (groin). Also unavailable Tuesday was midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, who was hit in the ankle Friday.
With the next World Cup qualifier Sept. 2 at St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Klinsmann is trying to develop chemistry as he melds young up-and-comers with veterans. He’s mixing players from MLS and the European and Liga MX leagues, and he said all three have different rhythms of play.
“We have to put them together and get them on the same page and hopefully get positive results,” he said. “I let people say whatever they would like to say. That’s all right with me. You wish some comments could be a little more respectful. But it’s an emotional game.”
Finlay robbed?
Forward Ethan Finlay of the Columbus Crew SC made his World Cup qualifying debut, entering for Gyasi Zardes in the 71st minute Tuesday night. Finlay thought he scored in the 86th minute, but was called offside.
“I don’t know what he was flagging because I wasn’t off,” Finlay said. “It’s all right, it’s part of the game. The first one will have to wait.
“I had a moment today in the shower thinking about it, that I was going to get in this game and score a goal.”
Finlay, of Marshfield, Wis., called it “fantastic” to make his debut in front of 20,624 fans, including many Crew supporters.
“For them to be out here cheering for the United States, for me to be a part of it was definitely a special moment, a moment I’ll always remember,” he said.
Youngest-ever debuts
Midfielder Christian Pulisic was Klinsmann’s last sub, replacing Graham Zusi in the 81st minute. At 17 years, 193 days, Pulisic became the youngest U.S. men’s national team member to appear in a World Cup qualifier.
Klinsmann called the Borussia Dortmund player from Hershey, Pa., “part of our future” and added that his talent was evident in limited action. Pulisic was supposed to join the team last week, but that was delayed until Sunday because he was ill.
“I thought he was really comfortable already, especially for a 17-year-old, it’s pretty impressive,” midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. “It seems like he has a really good head on his shoulders. As you saw tonight, it looked like he’s been in a bunch of times. The future’s bright with him.”
But defender Geoff Cameron tried to keep the soccer media’s frenzy over Pulisic in check.
“He’s quiet, he’s humble, he’s got some fantastic skill and he’s a guy that will be a big player for us eventually,” Cameron said. “He’s a young kid, you guys don’t over blow him up. Let him do what he does and he’ll be a great talent for us.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.