Greg Lalas and Criticism of the January Camp

Lalas was very disappointed in Klinsmann's decision at left back, but does the criticism hold water?

On yesterday's MLS ExtraTime Radio Podcast, co-host Greg Lalas (whose last name might be familiar to some) criticized Jurgen Klinsmann's use of Michael Parkhurst at left back as opposed to giving an opportunity to one of the greener prospects that had been invited to camp.  Seth Sinovic, Chris Klute, Michael Harrington, and Deandre Yedlin were all called into camp for the first time by Klinsmann, and Lalas was of the strong opinion that one of them should have been given the opportunity to start.

It has become clear over the last year or so that Jurgen prefers Damarcus Beasley at left back.  I personally would have liked to see Fabian Johnson win the role, but it seems obvious that Beasley will be starting on the left in Brazil barring any unforeseen developments.  After doing well with significant playing time in last years Gold Cup at right back, it's reasonable to think that Klinsmann would want to see if there was any possibility that Parkhurst could be a suitable back up both fullback positions.  Having players that can reliably fill in at multiple positions is invaluable at a World Cup, where red cards and injuries can leave you up a creek with no hope of reinforcements.

In addition to a general feeling that there wasn't much to come away with from the January camp, Lalas' main point seemed to be that he wants to see more options explored on the flanks.  The sentiment is not without merit, but we are in February of a World Cup year and it is absolutely not a time to be experimenting just for the sake of it.  Sinovic, Klute, Harrington, and Yedlin were all in camp with Klinsmann long enough for him to get a sense of what they were capable of, and  Jurgen has shown that (despite his assertations otherwise) he is more than willing to play MLS players that prove themselves in camp.  Brad Evans, Graham Zusi, Eddie Johnson, Clarence Goodson, Matt Besler, etc have shown this to be true.  Clearly Deandre Yedlin was the only one of the four that showed enough to get a brief audition on the field,  but even he obviously didn't impress enough to warrant serious consideration for the 23 man World Cup roster.

His point is essentially correct when he says that Klinsmann needs to give himself more options at left back, but I would argue that he is doing exactly that.  By putting the weight of the starting role on Parkhurst, he is finding out definitively whether he should be in his plans or not.  As of right now Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Damarcus Beasley, Brad Evans, and Geoff Cameron are all but assured of a spot on the final 23 man World Cup roster.  If Klinsmann brings the same number of defenders to Brazil as Bob Bradley brought to South Africa (8), that only leaves two spots up for grabs.  It feels as though Parkhurst is closing in on that seventh spot, and that is a very good thing.  If he can capably hold down the fort at both the left and right fullback spots, he should absolutely be in Jurgen's plans.

All of that being said, it's going to be very interesting to see where the European based players stack up as June nears.  Oguchi Onyewu, Timmy Chandler, Steve Cherundolo, and even somebody random like Tim Ream could all have something to say before the final decisions have been made.  But if we managed to come away from the January camp with confidence that Michael Parkhurst can fulfill an important role in Brazil, the time will have been invaluable.