U.S. faces tough test against France

The United States is set to face its biggest test of the Klinsmann era with a visit to France on Friday in an international friendly. This is just the third meeting between the two teams with France winning the previous two games 6-0 and 3-0 in 1979.

France
France has already qualified for Euro 2012 so expect France coach Laurent Blanc to give some younger players much needed experience. France has not lost since September 2010 when Belarus won 1-0 in Paris. Since then France has gone 15 games without a loss with 10 wins and 5 draws and is currently ranked #15 in the FIFA world rankings.

France Roster By Position
Goalkeepers (3): Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders (7): Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Matthieu Debuchy (Lille), Jérémy Mathieu (Valencia), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Réveillère (Lyon), Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

Midfielders (6) : Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Marvin Martin, (Sochaux), Samir Nasri (Manchester City)

Forwards (6): Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (PSG), Jérémy Ménez (PSG), Loïc Rémy (Marseille), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier)

United States
This is the sixth game under new man in charge Jurgen Klinsmann with the U.S. holding a record of 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 draw.  The U.S. has scored just two goals since Klinsmann took over, one by Robbie Rogers and the other by Clint Dempsey.

U.S. Roster By Position
Goalkeepers (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton)

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon)

Midfielders (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

Forwards (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt)

Projected U.S. linuep
Klinsmann paired Altidore up top with Dempsey against Ecuador and Honduras so I would expect the same against France. Here is my predicted starting linuep:

Formation: 4-1-3-2
GK: Timmy Howard

LB: Timmy Chandler
CB: Oguchi Onyewu
CB: Carlos Bocanegra
RB: Alfredo Morales

Howard is a given however you have to wonder at what time Hamid gets a shot. The game against Slovenia on November 15 just may be that time. Carlos Bocanegra is a mainstay in central defense and the continued comeback of Oguchi Onyewu has to give U.S. fans cause for optimism. Newcomer Alfredo Morales should get minutes in this game.

CDM: Kyle Beckerman
LM: Brek Shea
CM: Michael Bradley
RM: Danny Williams

Klinsmann loves Beckerman in the holding midfielder role and who can blame him. He simply gets the job done. Brek Skea is a rising star so feel comfortable with that pick. After that it gets sketchy. Bradley is playing on a consistent basis for Chievo and playing well so think he gets a start. Without Donovan we will see either Fabian Johnson or Danny Williams on the right.

F: Clint Dempsey
F: Jozy Altidore

The pressure is mounting on the U.S. to score goals having hit the onion bag just twice in five games under Klinsmann. The partnership of Dempsey and Altidore is an intriguing one that showed signs of potential against Ecuador and Honduras however consistency is the key now.

Game Details
USA vs. France
3 PM ET
Stade de France, Paris
ESPN2, ESPN3, Univision, Univision.com