Yesterday was the last game of the CONCACAF ( North America) World Cup qualifying semi finals. The US mens team, unsurprisingly, had left it to their last game to really see if they would qualify for the final round which would then determine which North American teams would go to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. What made the game even more crucial was that many of the veteran and regulars of the US national team had faced injuries forcing Jurgen Klinsmann, the head coach, to bring in new faces and use a different formation.

While everyone was excited and grateful the US had pulled out the results they needed, questions were still raised on how well our back four can communicate and how well these new faces will impact the return of the other regulars. A problem the US team has always faced was finding a regular left back who can play the side well. And it always seems when a replacement is found they are injured or unfit and that has weakened our defense incredibly.

Also the number of players currently injured has created a stir when trying to replace them.   Landon Donovan, the goal scorer in the famous game against Algeria in the World Cup, has suffered countless injuries this year. It almost makes you question how much longer the 30 year old can still play for the national team and whether hell make it to the next World Cup. I firmly believe Landon is one of the creative hubs of the national team and losing him would be a big blow for the team, but his future may be uncertain.