With a three-week training camp and two friendly victories in the books, the U.S. national team has a depth chart seeing plenty of movement.
One training camp and two friendlies isn't enough to predict how the rest of 2016 will go for the U.S. national team, but victories against Iceland and Canada after a lengthy January camp have given Jurgen Klinsmann some new players to keep tabs on, and some players to move up the pecking order.
For some, like Lee Nguyen and Kellyn Acosta, the recent friendlies helped boost their standing considerably, while others will come away from the winter action feeling like they missed an opportunity to impress Klinsmann.
The U.S. depth chart is in a constant state of change, and between the recent friendlies and the activity being enjoyed by Americans in Europe and Mexico, there is quite a bit of movement taking place as players try to position themselves to be factors in this year's World Cup qualifying campaign, and this summer's Copa America.
With the first two matches of the year in the books, along with the first full training camp, here is a look at players who are shifting up — or down — the U.S. depth chart as we move toward the end of winter and closer to a busy spring:
GOALKEEPER
GAINING GROUND: David Bingham. The San Jose goalkeeper showed enough in camp to earn a start, and he made the most of that national team debut by posting a shutout in the 1-0 victory against Canada. At 26, Bingham is a good candidate to try and fill the void behind older veterans like Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando.
LOSING GROUND: Bill Hamid. A knee injury cost Hamid a real chance to shine in this January camp, and the subsequent surgery is threatening to cost him a large chunk of 2016.
LOOK OUT FOR: William Yarbrough. The Mexican-born shot stopper has regained his starting job with Leon, and he's a player who could earn a call when the March qualifiers role around.
RIGHT BACK
GAINING GROUND: Kellyn Acosta. This might seem like an odd listing given the fact he started at left back in both recent friendlies, but the reality is right back is a more natural position for him, and one he impressed at in camp. He showed enough to be seen as a strong candidate for a starting role in the Olympic qualifying playoff series in March, and impressed enough to be a good bet for another national team call.
LOSING GROUND: Brad Evans. He earned the start against Iceland, and showed well before having to leave that match with hamstring tightness that forced him to depart U.S. camp early. He falls in this category for missing out on the chance to play two full matches at right back and increase his chances of starting in the March qualifiers against Guatemala.
LOOK OUT FOR: Steve Birnbaum. OK, so he's not really a right back, but he didn't look out of place against Canada. His future remains at center back, but with so many candidates in the pool, and so few right backs, perhaps the D.C. United defender has given Klinsmann something to think about down the road if he finds himself light on right back options.
CENTER BACK
GAINING GROUND: John Brooks. Currently enjoying an outstanding season with Hertha Berlin, Brooks should be called back into the U.S. group for the March qualifiers, and his current form should make him a good candidate to start.
LOSING GROUND: Geoff Cameron. Though he had been enjoying a strong season for Stoke City, a recent injury has cost him a run of matches, and Stoke City's winter purchase of midfielder Giannelli Imbula could cost him playing time. To his credit, Cameron has stood up to challenges before, and he could find himself playing more in central defense, which would only help his chances of staying near the top of the depth chart for the U.S.
LOOK OUT FOR: Omar Gonzalez. It's tough to think of many transfers that have worked out as quickly as Gonzalez' move to Pachuca. He has settled in quickly as a starter, and has helped the club enjoy a strong start to the Clausura season.
LEFT BACK
GAINING GROUND: Jorge Villafana. The former Portland Timbers defender has enjoyed a seamless transition to Liga MX, establishing himself as a regular starter for Santos Laguna and playing well in the process.
LOSING GROUND: Edgar Castillo. In and out of the lineup for Liga MX leader Monterrey, Castillo has been out of the national team mix for some time. With other options emerging, he could be seeing the window for a national team return closing for good soon.
LOOK OUT FOR: Desevio Payne. Finally healthy, Payne has earned two straight starts for Dutch League side Groningen — both victories — and just might earn a look from Klinsmann later in the year if he can keep playing regularly.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
GAINING GROUND: Mix Diskerud. One good game in a friendly against Canada isn't enough to erase a disappointing 2015 season with New York City FC, but it did provide a reminder that Diskerud has had his share of strong performances for the U.S. He still needs to have a good season with NYCFC in 2016, but he showed enough this winter to keep Klinsmann on his side.
LOSING GROUND: Perry Kitchen. A player who is gearing up for a free transfer move this winter, Kitchen didn't earn many minutes in the recent U.S. friendlies, and this may have been his last real chance to establish a stronger footing at a stacked position.
LOOK OUT FOR: Wil Trapp. It was surprising when he didn't see the field against Iceland, but Trapp did earn 13 minutes against Canada, and still should be a key starter for the U.S. Olympic qualifying team in March.
RIGHT WING
GAINING GROUND: Ethan Finlay. His start against Iceland was active, if not totally effective, but his game-changing cameo late in the Canada friendly — which he helped win by delivering the assist on Jozy Altidore's winner — should give Klinsmann reason to have another look at the Crew winger in March.
LOSING GROUND: Graham Zusi. The veteran Sporting KC midfielder was one of the veterans left out of this January camp, and with Finlay and Nguyen impressing in wide roles, Zusi could wind up waiting a good while for a recall.
LOOK OUT FOR: Jerome Kiesewetter. Made the most of limited minutes in both matches to show why he should be seen as a good right wing option going forward. His speed unsettles defenses, and his crossing ability is better than it is for some veteran U.S. attackers. He will be focused on the Olympic qualifying playoff against Colombia in March, but if he impresses in that series, he could be a sleeper option for the Copa America squad.
LEFT WING
GAINING GROUND: Fabian Johnson. Yes, "Holding Steady" would be a better heading for this category than "Gaining ground," but it's clear there's no better left wing option in the U.S. pool than Johnson.
LOSING GROUND: Gyasi Zardes. Started at forward against Iceland and on the right wing against Canada, and while he did make some things happen at times, he continued to struggle with his touch and being reliable in the final third. His work ethic makes him a viable lineup option, but he will struggle to keep a starting role until he cleans up his possession and touch.
LOOK OUT FOR: Sebastian Lletget. Remember the LA Galaxy winger who tore up MLS upon his arrival from England? Well, he's someone who needs to be monitored as he's one of the few Americans playing regularly in an attacking left-sided role.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
GAINING GROUND: Lee Nguyen. No player boosted his stock in the recent camp and friendlies than Nguyen, who made the most of his appearances by showing off all his tools. Though deployed mostly on the left wing in the friendlies, Nguyen's passing touch, vision and confidence on the ball make him a viable playmaker option.
LOSING GROUND: Darlington Nagbe. This one might seem a bit harsh considering he did manage to create danger when he came on in the recent friendlies. He makes this list because he didn't make the most of the camp — at least not how many thought he might. Word out of camp is that Nagbe had his share of struggles, and that shouldn't be a big shock for a player going through his first January camp. If anything, it might temporarily slow down the Nagbe hype train. That said, he's still too talented to bet against as a difference-maker this year.
LOOK OUT FOR: Christian Pulisic. The teenager is making major waves by earning playing time for Borussia Dortmund. He may still be some time away from the national team, but Klinsmann has already said he's watching, and a call-up in 2016 is looking more and more inevitable.
FORWARD
GAINING GROUND: Bobby Wood. The goals keep coming for Wood, who is looking like a good bet to be called back in for the March qualifiers.
LOSING GROUND: Aron Johannsson. A lengthy recovery from surgery has cost Johannsson quite a bit of ground in the national team forward race, as well as potentially his starting role at Werder Bremen.
LOOK OUT FOR: Jordan Morris. The newly signed Seattle Sounders forward made things happen in his second U.S. start, though he clearly needs some polish. It's easy to forget that he has yet to play his first professional match, and playing time with the Sounders should only sharpen his game.
- Goal