CONCACAF Cup Depth Chart: USA, Mexico face questions in defense

Leave it to Argentina and Brazil to shine the spotlight on the defensive questions facing Mexico and the United States ahead of the CONCACAF Cup playoff.

Both teams received rather stern inquisitions earlier this month as they attempted to devise a blueprint for the upcoming one-off tie at the Rose Bowl (live, Oct. 10, 8:00p.m. ET, FS1 FOX Sports GO). Brazil ripped the Americans apart at Gillette Stadium to throw Jurgen Klinsmann’s defensive plans into further doubt, while Argentina summoned a late flurry to peg El Tri back in Arlington, Texas.

Those encounters leave both teams with plenty of work to do ahead of their meeting in Pasadena. Mexico interim manager Ricardo Ferretti needs to settle on his shape and sort out a potential partner for Héctor Moreno. Klinsmann faces a series of decisions in central defense, though he is bolstered by the returns of DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson in the fullback areas.

The calculations are important ahead of a match where one mistake could prove the difference between a place at the Confederations Cup in 2017 and a painful setback. It is why Klinsmann and Ferretti plan to review their options carefully as the big day approaches.

UNITED STATES

Personnel: Klinsmann always deploys a back four, but he tinkers with personnel from match to match. The buildup to this one-off tie revolves around identifying the partnership in central defense and forging the bonds necessary to create a sturdy rearguard.

USA DEPTH CHART - DEFENSE

There are several potential pairings available in central defense. Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks received most of the reps as a tandem this year, but the duo faces fitness (Brooks has not played for Hertha Berlin since picking up an injury before the friendly against Brazil earlier this month) and form (Alvarado is now a reserve for Club América) issues. Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco and Tim Ream all warrant consideration if Klinsmann opts to make a change.

Klinsmann already named DaMarcus Beasley (left) and Fabian Johnson (right) as the preferred options on either side. Both players are expected to feature after recovering from recent injuries with Johnson a particularly vital inclusion for his menace going forward. Cameron (right), Orozco (right) and Ream (left) are possible deputies if either Beasley or Johnson is unable to feature. Brad Evans and Jonathan Spector are other alternatives included in the 35-man preliminary squad, while Greg Garza is ruled out with a hip injury.

Strengths: This group is deep and versatile above all else. Beasley and Johnson are the strongest components: They represent traditional, two-way fullback options capable of coping one-versus-one and then joining the play on the overlap. Brooks is a potential cornerstone for the next several years. Several of his teammates bring club and World Cup experience to a match requiring that sort of nous. The group -- as a whole -- offers good mobility and decent distribution out of the back.

Weaknesses: Cohesiveness is a major concern given Klinsmann’s tendency to chop and change. Those issues are particularly dangerous given the combination play and the movement Mexico often conjures in the final third. Concentration is a lingering concern as well. Several of the defensive options -- particularly in the middle -- exhibit a tendency to switch off and allow forwards to roam freely in the run of play or from set pieces. Nearly all of the possible combinations leave the Americans susceptible in the air.

MEXICO

Personnel: Ferretti used three-man and four-man defenses during the friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago and Argentina. The injury to Rafael Márquez likely tips the scales in favor of a back four given the options available in central defense.

MEXICO DEPTH CHART - DEFENSE

Héctor Moreno -- perhaps the best defender in CONCACAF -- serves as the bedrock of those efforts, but he is in need of a partner with Márquez unavailable. Diego Reyes features at right back for Real Sociedad, but he is likely the primary option to partner Moreno against the Americans. Oswaldo Alanis, Miguel Herrera and Arturo Rivas form the inexperienced group of alternatives.

The fullback areas are rather more straightforward with Paul Aguilar on the right and Miguel Layún on the left. Both players are accustomed to operating at wingbacks for El Tri, but they also boast considerable experience in fullback roles. Jorge Torres Nilo presents a more defensive-minded option on the left. Jesús Dueñas is most likely to supply cover on the right if he makes the final 23-man squad.

Strengths: Moreno is a dominant center back, the sort of figure capable of masking issues elsewhere and stitching the back four together in a big match. His presence lends an air of authority to the proceedings, while his astute positioning compensates for the adventurous forays of Layún on the left. The possible Moreno-Reyes partnership is mobile enough to cope with Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey without ceding ground. Aguilar and Layún present a considerable threat when they venture into the attacking half. Their service stretches the field horizontally to create operating room through the middle with Layún also a threat to shoot from distance.

Weaknesses: The line occasionally breaks down when Mexico concedes possession in advanced areas. Aguilar and Layún often adopt aggressive positions on either side and leave ample room in behind them for the opposition to counter. Moreno and Reyes are mobile enough to cover, but there are concerns about the corresponding knock-on effects when they are asked to drift wide. Aguilar and Layún also struggle to defend one-versus-one at times. Reyes remains vulnerable to more robust forwards given his slight frame -- it is part of the reason why he now features on the right for Sociedad -- and undermines the defensive efforts on crosses and set pieces.

ADVANTAGE: TBD

Everything hinges on Klinsmann’s team selection. Mexico probably holds a slight edge now with Moreno around to lead the efforts (even after the issues encountered against T&T and Argentina), but the Americans -- if they devise a cohesive back four -- could muster a firmer foundation with the right players in place.