Bolivia Match Last Chance for USMNT Back Line to Work on Chemistry Ahead of Copa

There are plenty of concerns surrounding the United States men’s national team ahead of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, but the one glaring issue that hasn’t had a clear-cut solution yet is the play of the back four. 

It is safe to assume DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson will start on the defensive flanks throughout the Copa, while John Brooks looks set to occupy one of the two center back positions. However, the final defensive position in the starting 11 has yet to be locked down. 

USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann handed D.C. United man Steve Birnbaum a chance to impress on Wednesday in the 1-0 win over Ecuador, but he looked out of place on quite a few plays before Brooks, Michael Bradley and others bailed him out. 

Birnbaum’s shocking showing at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, left the door open for Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler to impress Klinsmann in the final pre-Copa friendly against Bolivia at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. 

Cameron would be the logical option to play next to Brooks. The Stoke City man, who missed Wednesday’s match with an injury, brings the calming influence of a veteran when he plays next to the youthful Brooks on the international level.

Cameron has also grown into a leadership role over the last year with the Yanks. That quality should not be underestimated in a pressure-packed tournament on home soil like the Copa. 

The best news Cameron could’ve received ahead of the tournament had nothing to do with him directly, as each of the other positions he could play were filled by consistent starters. Yedlin is the right-back of the present and the future, while Michael Bradley looks best in red, white and blue in the No. 6 role. Even if Klinsmann opts to …

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