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A look at the USMNT roster, by position

By Michael Harshbarger

Jermaine Jones (L) and Kyle Beckerman (2nd L) train with teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23, 2016, two days before the COPA America 2016, 3rd place final soccer match against Colombia. / AFP / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Jermaine Jones (L) and Kyle Beckerman (2nd L) train with teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23, 2016, two days before the COPA America 2016, 3rd place final soccer match against Colombia. / AFP / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Jermaine Jones (L) and Kyle Beckerman (2nd L) train with teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23, 2016, two days before the COPA America 2016, 3rd place final soccer match against Colombia. / AFP / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Jermaine Jones (L) and Kyle Beckerman (2nd L) train with teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23, 2016, two days before the COPA America 2016, 3rd place final soccer match against Colombia. / AFP / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) /

Jurgen Klinsmann called in 26 players ahead of a pair of World Cup Qualifying matches for the USMNT. Let’s take a look at his selections by position.

The US Men’s National Team are set for a brace of World Cup Qualifiers over the next few days. They travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines today (3:30 p.m. ET; beIN SPORTS) before returning home to host Trinidad & Tobago on September 6 (8:00 p.m. ET; FS1, Univision Networks).

On paper, the USA should handle both of these opponents with relative ease, but nothing has been easy for the Yanks during the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for Russia 2018. With two games remaining they sit in second with seven points behind Group C leading Trinidad, who currently have 10 points.

The USMNT have faltered away from home. They drew 0-0 with  the group leaders back in November of last year. After winning a pair of friendlies early in the year, they laid a gigantic stinking egg away at Guatemala in March, losing 0-2. Luckily for USA fans, they would avenge the loss four days later, dominating the Guatemalans 4-0 in Columbus.

The poor away results leave the USMNT in a precarious position. A few mistakes could take their qualifying destiny out of their hands. In short, the Americans need to take care of business: Six points sees them through to the final round, or the “hexagonal” as it’s known, of World Cup Qualifying, most likely as Group C champs.

Oh, and they have to do this without talisman Clint Dempsey, who has been sidelined as result of a recently discovered irregular heartbeat.

USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann has called in 26 players ahead of these massive qualifiers. Let’s dissect his choices by position.

Next: Goalkeepers: Guzan or Howard?

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