SOCCER: U.S. in envious position after start of qualifying

Two games down, eight to go, and the United States men’s national soccer team is in the perfect position in 2002 World Cup qualifying.

Raise your hands if you thought the U.S. would have a full six points from its first two games….and be honest. There won’t be too many up in the air. But that shows just how the Americans have become a regional force and the increased depth that the squad has.

It’s not just U.S. Soccer that is celebrating as well. Think Major League Soccer isn’t enjoying the current state of affairs after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Honduras? The game-winning goal by Metrostar Clint Mathis after a foul was drawn by Chicago’s Chris Armas.

Armas and Jeff Agoos and Carlos Llamosa have become automatic choices for coach Bruce Arena. A number of other players, now in Europe, also played in MLS like Ante Razov and Brad Friedel. All in all, the recent performances only back up with basic mission of MLS, which is to create depth for the national team.

A look at the CONCACAF standings and schedule reveals that the U.S. could all but punch its tickets in the upcoming matches. Its next match will be key, on April 25 at home against Costa Rica. The Ticos Ticos are in second with four points and should the U.S. win, they would be in front of the entire group by at least three points.

Secondly, they would be then throw into games against Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobagos. Jamaica on the road will be a challenge, but with Trinidad at home, it would not be inconceivable to see the U.S with anywhere from 10-13 points from its first five games. Considering 15 points as the benchmark and the Americans, should they be able to pull off two wins in its next three games, will be sitting pretty indeed.

Through two games, the United States has but a few questions which could fall into the category of nagging. The first would be to consider its best attacking options up front and how to use the emergence of Clint Mathis with the expected return of Claudio Reyna in time for the Costa Rica match.

Full reviews of the Americans so far, by position.

Goalie — Brad Friedel has been faultless in the two games. The goal by Honduras was a world class strike that he couldn’t do anything with. His performances against Mexico and Honduras, which included several big saves, only reinforce the American’s position of depth at this position. The depth should be in full factor when the Costa Rica game rolls around, as Friedel will most likely be left in England with club Blackburn Rovers as it tries to gain promotion to the Premiership. Look for Kasey Keller to regain the No. 1 jersey.

Defense — Jeff Agoos, somehow, has not been recognized before as Player of the Year, but that may be a tribute of his overall excellence. He has proven to be at ease in the center of defense and is already known as a strong left side defender. The speed may not be there in abundance, but the former D.C. United player uses his experience like few others.

Carlos Llamosa is the best man-marker in the country. Period. No matter what the pedigree of an attacker, Llamosa shuts him down. Agoos and Llamosa, despite their age, should still be in the center of the defense through the 2002 Cup.

Davis Regis came into the national team with a lot of fanfare and is starting to play up to it. Steve Cherundolo, in only his second national performance, showed his potential while Tony Sanneh as a swing midfielder/defense has proved to be valuable.

Overall: Agoos and Llamosa have been impregnable when an attack tries to play through the middle and have a physical advantage in the air. That combination with Friedel or Keller in goal, and it’s no wonder how the U.S. defense has been so stingy.

Midfield — Still not a lot coming from the left side, other than when Regis moves up. Eddie Lewis would thrive in this position, but has struggled lately in the national team and is not even getting a glimpse of the pitch for Fulham in England. A change of teams will have to come, one would think, for Lewis to regain a foothold in Arena’s future plans.

The right side has been marshalled by Earnie Stewart and there is not a single American supporter who has a problem with that. Stewart in the two qualifying games has played his role to near perfection and is one of the mainstays of the side. Cobi Jones, despite a red card against Honduras, has proven to be a good change of pace as a second half substitute, although Jones would honestly prefer to be a 90-minute player.

Chris Armas, along with Agoos and Stewart, is an automatic choice. MLS thanks its lucky stars that Armas is content in Chicago, because any team in Europe would certainly benefit to have him in the lineup. Armas shows up for every game, gives his all despite exhaustion and aches and pains. True class.

Now, the question of a midfielder leader, specifically Mathis or Reyna. The question is how they could both fit into the midfield and the answer is "why not?" As Arena has attested to, they are different types of players. Reyna is a more organizational midfielder, linking teammates together while Mathis the more adventurous, offensive player.

Why not have a midfield of Armas, Stewart, Reyna and Mathis? Both Reyna and Mathis can move out to the left when freelancing on the attack and Mathis, especially, can use the left foot effectively. Against Costa Rica, thanks to the insurance three road points earned at Honduras, the U.S. should put the aforementioned four together and see how it goes.

Attack — Even with Josh Wolff’s performance against Mexico, attack is clearly one place that the U.S. is lessened with the injuries to Brian McBride and Joe-Max Moore. Wolff is still learning at the international level and with Landon Donovan, will continue to represent the future of the American attack. But for now, McBride-Moore is the best the U.S. has.

Look for some other players to start making some inroads to the team in the coming months. Among them will be Donovan (out with a rib injury for now), DeMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey and maybe even somebody like Chris Klein in the midfield.

The U.S. has started out its 2002 World Cup qualifying in a golden position that nobody expected them to be. Now, the goal is to make sure at the end of qualifying, there are in the position everyone expects them to be — on a plane to the Far East.