U.S. heads to World Cup with players struggling for game time
United States midfielder Michael Bradley is seen during the match between Argentina and Colombia at Azteca Stadium on March 18, 2014 in Mexico City, Mexico. In his 16th cap, Michael Bradley is not allowed to play for the national team.
Nigel Havers/Getty Images
by David J. Phillip
The U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup training camp, which kicks off Monday in Carson, Calif., is going to have its fair share of players and even goalkeepers struggling to make an impact.
Here are the players at the World Cup who expect to start at least three games:
GOALKEEPERS
David Bingham and Matt Reiber — Bingham’s status is uncertain. The 22-year-old has been on the bench as much as he has been on the field, but the veteran keeper made the most of the few chances he played in against Portugal. With Jonathan Bornstein sidelined by a concussion, Bingham should get the starting nod.
Jonathan Bornstein is one goalie who should be on the bench while others like Ryan back up.
Kelvin Beachum will be out with a calf injury, which could open the door for Benfica netminder Julio Cesar Chavez to break into the mix.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss this World Cup with the latest in a series of leg injuries.
REFER\
Sebastian Martinez vs. Luis Robles — The veteran goalkeeper will continue to keep his role on the bench, at least for now. Martinez made his World Cup debut in 2002, and he played in three of Spain’s five games. Robles played in at least one game — or perhaps two — for Holland this past summer before undergoing surgery, which left the U.S. star with no chance to play on the world stage for the first time in his career.
Mauricio Cienfuegos