Chris Wondolowski

Chris Wondolowski Deserves a Chance to Wow Us

Nicholas Spiller

The USA Men's National Team is in need of a potent striker. The team currently has two great attacking players in Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, but they perform best in more recessed roles such as an attacking midfielder or winger. America needs the central player who can get his head on the end of a cross to put in the vital goal. One player who comes to mind that could fulfill the responsibility in Chris Wondolowski.

Quite a few players have recently been employed to fill that gap. Currently the man most endeared by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is Jozy Altidore, a young and physically imposing presence who plays for AZ Alkmaar in Holland. The second choice forward looks to be Hercules Gomez, who scored the USA's only goal last week in the 4-1 loss to Brazil. Both these players are decent goal scorers, but neither has been the dominant force that America needs up top.

That is exactly why I think the USA needs to take a serious look at Chris Wondolowski. At 29 years old, he is in the prime of his career, and he has the potency to back that claim. "Wondo" emerged during the 2010 MLS season, winning the Golden Boot of the league with 18 goals for the San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes have been a pretty average team historically in the MLS, but this year they are currently second in the Western Conference and could be poised for greatness.

Wondolowski went on to prove that 2010 was no fluke. He jointly led the league in goal scoring in 2011 with 16 goals and won the Castrol Index MLS Player of the Year, an award that takes various stats into account to determine a player's overall effectiveness on the field.

2012 has also proved fruitful for the American, having netted a remarkable 11 goals through only 12 matches played. He is in the form of his life, at the peak of his abilities, and he deserves a chance to showcase that on the international stage.

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann was full of praise for the striker saying, "He's a goalscorer, he's hungry for goals. He doesn't stop running, he doesn't stop fighting." Such traits are extremely important for forwards. This is the player who will have the extra burst of energy late in a game to net the winner and will give absolutely everything he's got for his country.

Wondolowski's game is all about determination. He is a bit of a poacher similar to Javier Hernandez of Manchester United. He gets on the end of crosses and has a great ability to head or volley the ball in from close range. He has the calmness in front of the goal that is so vital in major international matches. He finds himself in position for chances and then converts them.

But he is unproven for the USA team. He has had minimal appearances, only earning seven caps and scoring no goals. I fear that he hasn't been given the right opportunity though. He has typically played in friendlies without the support of America's best players like Donovan or Dempsey. In major games such as the match against Brazil, he was left on the bench and not even designated as a substitute.

Much of the reason he has yet to earn a regular place in the team is due to the fact that he is not a "star". He remains relatively hidden from the limelight and rarely makes headlines. Alternatively, Jozy Altidore has been on team USA's map for years, although he has struggled for most of his club career. This past season has provided his first legitimate success, but he is battling injuries and has not been match fit. A major concern with Altidore is also the fact that he is merely 22 years old. International tournaments are typically won by teams featuring players around the age of 30. Just look at the rosters of Italy and Spain during their 2006 and 2010 World Cup triumphs. Age and experience are very important.

Wondolowski at age 29 has exactly that. A large part of what may be holding the player back is that he plays in the MLS. This could be especially important since the coach is German and likely favors the quality of European leagues. Only five of the current 23 man USA squad play in the MLS, and Donovan is the only starter who does so, playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy. But even Donovan has proved himself abroad with successful loan spells at Everton in the English Premier League.

If Wondolowski moved to a European team and succeeded he could very well start in the 2014 World Cup. He has been linked to a few clubs including Feyenoord of the Dutch Eredivisie and Odense BK and AGF Aarhus of the Danish Superliga in Denmark. At his age, this may also be his last opportunity to do so.

Chris Wondolowski will always be facing an uphill battle for time in the USA team because he was a late bloomer of a talent. People love the potential of young strikers like Altidore and Juan Agudelo. They feel these youngsters need international experience and may develop into world class stars. Someone who is nearing 30 is probably at their peak so what you see is what you get, and there is less potential to get excited about.

But team USA needs that maturity now. Donovan and Dempsey are also reaching 30 and the 2014 World Cup could be their last opportunity to shine at the top level. If America is going to make a statement, this is the moment and they need a striker who is able to score big goals. There is no absolute guarantee that Chris Wondolowski is that answer, but he has clearly done enough the past few years to merit a decent look. With an upcoming friendly against Canada before two World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and then Antigua and Barbuda, Klinsmann has a good period of time to examine this wonderful talent.

© Nicholas Spiller & Soccerphile.com