Tonight's United States vs. Brazil clash may not have much in the way of attendance, but the implications of the contest are significant. ASN's Brian Sciaretta shares his insights here and now.

BY Brian Sciaretta Posted

September 08, 2015

12:55 PM SHARE THIS STORY



Will Bradley and Jones Combine Well?

Absent from the U.S. national team since February, a healthy Jermaine Jones returned to the fold against Peru—as a midfieler. Klinsmann had been experimenting with the Munich native as a central defender. The less said about that, the better.

Michael Bradley missed the Peru game but is with the U.S. squad now. Tonight's match against Brazil should serve as a reunion of sorts for Klinsmann's preferred central midfield pair at last year's World Cup in Brazil.

“Just having his presence around the group, having his experience, and his drive because he’s always been a very, very driven and hungry player throughout his entire career no matter where he plays,” Klinsmann said. “It’s very important to us having him back in the picture after his couple of setbacks there injury-wise. It’s very crucial—especially toward the Mexico match.





"There’s absolutely no doubt about it. He’s still in a rebuilding process fitness-wise which will only now get better week-by-week. We have almost another four weeks until October 10. So to have him back full in shape and in rhythm makes us feel just much better.”

Individually, Bradley and Jones are two of the top talents in the American player pool. But they haven't always been great partners—sometimes it seems like they both want to push forward, leaving the back four exposed. If they can coordinate their efforts against Brazil and show they are once again on the same page, it will be a positive sign in the build-up to the CONCACAF Cup.

How will the young players respond?

There's always something special about playing Brazil and for many U.S. players it will be the first time in their careers they will face the sport’s most famous team. Klinsmann acknowledged as much as the team prepared for tonight's game in Foxborough, Mass. (8pm ET: ESPN2, UniMas, UDN).

“These games help for a Gyasi or for a Yedlin and for younger players that come out of these games—no matter if you win or lose—they come out thinking, ‘I can actually do it,’” Klinsmann said.

In particular, the major test will be applying the lessons learned in Friday’s 2-1 win over Copa America third place finishers Peru. In that game, there was a long stretch in the first half where Peru dominated possession and chances created. It wasn’t until late in the first half that the U.S. gained any semblance of control of the match.

Brazil will offer a much more significant challenge but Klinsmann wants to see all of his players step up and be unafraid.

“You might just end up chasing the ball like we did for 20 minutes against Peru,” Klinsmann stressed. “Then we got into their face a little bit more. We stepped it up higher and suddenly we have a game. Suddenly we get them into defending more than attacking. This is always the same talk we end up having with respect. Never too much respect.

“The mental side of it is enormous because if you have too much respect for them, which we all respect them, but if you have too much respect for them, then you can really get crushed.



"They sense that right away.”

At the 2014 World Cup the U.S. ceded too much possession against both Germany and Belgium. The Brazil will provide Klinsmann's men with yet another opportunity to go toe-to-toe with a very talented opponent.

What is Geoff Cameron’s role?

Geoff Cameron made his first national team appearance of 2015 on Friday when he came on in the second half to play right back. Like he has at the club level, Cameron has floated between right and central defense for the United States, with occasional stints as a defensive midfielder. Cameron is quick to point out he prefers playing centrally but at the moment an injury-riddled U.S. squad needs fullbacks.

Moving forward it will be particularly interesting to see where Cameron fits into Klinsmann's plans. At the moment, he is the only American outfield player earning minutes in the English Premier League. Despite leaving MLS to challenge himself at the highest level, Klinsmann doesn't sound overly enthusiastic about Cameron’s international future.

“Geoff is playing centerback at Stoke,” Klinsmann said. “But at this moment coming in, he’s a strong character, he’s a little intimidating also in there. Maybe we need him a little bit more on the right side to close them down now. So whatever we feel like is best for the team to perform as a unit together, we’ll do it.



"We’re not going too deep into the discussion of what is best for him. It’s what’s best for the team. Also, we had a long talk with Geoff. There is an emerging Ventura Alvarado and there is an emerging John Brooks—just happened over the last year. So we’ll keep on developing these players and having that competition, that fight. So there is just no guarantee.”

In other words, Cameron needs a big performance against Brazil if he wants to be on the field next month against Mexico—or even for the start of World Cup qualifying in November.

Will Altidore Build on Momentum?

Jozy Altidore has gradually begun to pick up the pieces from a very difficult summer and is heading in the right direction. After scoring two goals against Peru Friday night, he will now have momentum at his back as he lines up against Brazil.

Altidore can seem unstoppable—even against great teams like Spain. He can also disappear for long stretches—even multiple games. Klinsmann believes that fitness is the key for the 25-year-old new Jersey native.

“He’s simply physically on a completely different level. When he came in for the Gold Cup he simply was not there,” Klinsmann said. “He worked himself back. He tried hard and did extra shifts with his club. When he came in now you can see it. He’s fresh. He’s explosive. He’s hungry. Because of that, he’s in a better state of mind. You need to have that physical foundation to come into that camp with the national team. The intensity level is much higher. The tempo is higher. If you feel that suddenly in the first few days you’re not there, it will hit your confidence. It will hit everything. That’s what he realized after a couple of days at the Gold Cup.”

“Obviously for us it makes a huge difference to have Jozy Altidore in much better shape,” Klinsmann added. “There’s no doubt about it.”

The game against Brazil will be another measuring stick. If Altidore performs well, Klinsmann and the team should feel pretty satisfied about where it stands from the striker position. At the Gold Cup, nearly every offensive opportunity came from Dempsey and there was no “plan B.” With Altidore playing well, it should open the game up even more not just for Dempsey but for other offensive players—including Aron Johannsson and Gyasi Zardes.

Will Alvarado Raise His Game?

How the United States will lineup against Mexico in central defense is still very unclear and Klinsmann himself admitted that he is unsure. He only indicated that the competition remains tight. There are currently seven players in the picture, and all of them play central defense for their clubs: Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Michael Orozco, Geoff Cameron, and Ventura Alarado.

Alvarado is the newest to the team, having made his international debut in March. His performances for the national team have been mixed and he is still fighting for a starting spot at Club America, but Klinsmann remains a big believer in the Arizona native. Against Peru, Alvarado played well as a second-half substitute. Meanwhile, Omar Gonzalez might have seen his stock drop a bit after a rough first half.

"It's a huge talent right there with Ventura that we are really thrilled to have him on board,” Klinsmann said. “He’s going through the growing phase with Club America—in an out while fighting for a spot.

“He is technically very gifted. He is very calm on the ball. He can be highly aggressive as well which you need to be as a centerback. What we’ve seen over these six, nine months is very impressive, very impressive. It gives us another card to play—which is important. So that competition is really heating up there in the centerback role.”=

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.