Why Don't I Love Geoff Cameron?

For a guy who starts week in and week out in the English Premiere League, I really don't have very much enthusiasm for Mr. Cameron.  But why?When I'm trying to run down the teams for The DLF EPL Team of the Year, I find myself getting more and more bummed out by what I'm seeing.  America has a long way to go before stamping its footprint on footballing's most esteemed league, and I would have thought that any American getting significant minutes in the league would vault his way straight into the upper echelons of my heart.  But as one of only TWO American's getting any significant time in an EPL outfield, Cameron just doesn't excite me very much.

The main problem is his lack of a defined position.  Although he's played significant minutes for Stoke at center back and defensive mid, he has been starting at right back this season.  The USA are notoriously thin at outside back, and it seems as though him starting for an entire EPL season at the position would all but cement him into the starting lineup.  Barring a spectacular comeback from longtime Hannover captain Steve Cherundolo, a starting EPL right back would have a clear path to the starting XI in Brazil.

But while Cameron has been solid in the back for Stoke, Jurgen Klinsmann has shown that he is looking for outside backs that can threaten offensively.  Now this point seems a little odd considering Cameron's goal last week, but Cameron's strength does not lie in creating dangerous overlapping runs.  Geoff can capably man the defensive flank without making too many mistakes, but doesn't seem to create the sort of incisive danger that Klinsy seems desperate to include in the game plan.  I honestly don't know whether or not Cameron is capable of providing that sort of offensive presence, but so far Jurgen doesn't seem to think so. 

But I'm not altogether sold that we need to have two marauding outside backs, and in fact I think it might be inviting disaster.  Unless the coordination is absolutely impeccable, the US will certainly leave themselves vulnerable to a couple of run outs with both outside backs caught forward.  Having Cameron as more of a defensive minded wing back could help stabilize the defense, considering he will have more than a year of EPL experience starting in that position.  Starting Fabian Johnson on the left (I am officially pretending that Damarcus Beasley doesn't exist) and Geoff Cameron on the right could provide just the right mixture.  Uh oh, I'm starting to talk myself into Geoff Cameron in the starting XI.

One thing that is in absolutely no doubt however: Geoff Cameron should be on the squad for Brazil.  Big tournaments are all about being able to adapt on the fly to changing circumstances, and he provides a steady hand as a backup at three different positions.  I know I would feel a lot better if we suffered an injury in the back if Cameron was coming on as the substitute, and that is not a luxury the USA has had much of in the past.  

So I've got my eye on you Geoff.  I'm starting to think that you deserve to be in the Starting XI come next June.  A successful campaign starting at right back for Stoke would all but seal the deal.