The Athenaeum Forum

STANFORD, Calif. -- Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron might hear it from every angle if they were paying any attention or had a moments spare time. They could be reminded every day that this is the first time since 1990 the U.S. heads to a World Cup with no central defenders having played previous minutes in soccers showcase event. And that makes an already daunting task in Group G much more challenging for the Americans, who face Ghana, Portugal and Germany next month in Brazil. The competition for spots on the Americans back line is fierce, leaving no time to analyze the groups inexperience. "For us, theres nothing we can do about it," Besler said before Sundays training at Stanford Stadium. "We cant change the fact that weve never experienced a World Cup. Were looking at it as a great opportunity. Weve never done it before but everyone is excited and really hungry to prove that we belong here and that we can do well." Nobody knows how the foursome will look for the teams World Cup opener June 16 against Ghana in Natal, yet coach Jurgen Klinsmann will get a glimpse during an exhibition against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night at Candlestick Park. He has several choices for each defensive spot. If there are concerns with Omar Gonzalez, who tweaked his left knee during a May 3 game with the Los Angeles Galaxy against Colorado, Klinsmann might go with Cameron in the middle alongside Besler. Gonzalez has since returned to full training. "I think the competition is healthy, and its definitely alive and well here," Gonzalez said. "Before I got injured, I was probably the fittest Ive been in a very long time." Cameron plays right back for Stoke in the Premier League but insists he only needs a couple of reps at centre back in practice, scrimmages or exhibitions to find a groove again. "When youre playing against Man United, Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham, youre playing all the big boys every single weekend against the best competition, theres no room for mental errors, theres no complaining about how tired you are or this or that because the games come so quick," Cameron said. "For me, it was a learning process the first year. As the second year comes, you get more comfortable, youre confident going into the other stadiums." Besler, the 27-year-old Sporting Kansas City star who was the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year, has played in the middle with both Cameron and Gonzalez. Cameron and Besler very well could start in the centre back spots for the opener. Fabian Johnson or Timmy Chandler might play right back, though Johnson said he has seen regular time there. "I played right back in all the scrimmages so Im ready for this position," Johnson said Sunday. DaMarcus Beasley could be on the left as he looks to become the first American to play in four World Cups. "It is different playing with different guys. Everyone has different styles," Besler said. "I think as a team we play the same but when you have different guys back there you have to make little adjustments depending on whos back there. But for me I have experience with both. Ive played in World Cup qualifiers with Geoff, with Omar. I feel comfortable with anyone, really." If midfielder Jermaine Jones is suspended at some point for accumulation of yellow cards, Klinsmann might call upon Johnson in the defensive midfield. While experience on the defence would certainly be preferred at this stage, goalkeeper Tim Howard will help everyone get up to speed. "All things considered, of course youd like to have some guys back there who understand the rhythm and the pacing and the difference of a World Cup," said Alexi Lalas, a starting U.S. defender for the 1994 World Cup, former MLS general manager and current analyst. "This decision was made a long time ago, regardless of the final personnel, you knew you were going to have some World Cup inexperience out there. And we still dont know how the back four is going to look. "With that being decided and the veterans no longer being part of the scene, it was about getting some sort of understanding, communication and comfort with the defence. Thats really a much more important piece considering theres not going to be World Cup experience." Cameron is considered a central defender by Klinsmann. "Ive said that over three years I think his best position is centre back," Klinsmann said. "And its good to know he can play right back, too, and its good to know he can play a No. 6, too. Still I think his best fit, his best game for himself is the centre back role." Klinsmann isnt making a big deal about the teams lack of experience. Only five players among the 23 have appeared in a World Cup. "The plan is to help them in that process, to get in that World Cup with a lot of confidence and being sure that they know what theyre doing. In every training session we will work on those pieces and we will guide them through all the different things that happen during a game, preparing the best way possible for the opponents they face in the group stage already," Klinsmann said of the defence. "Im sure theyre going to be very well prepared and they will be ready for the task. Theres always a first time in life in whatever you do. Its for some the first World Cup, though its the first of hopefully many World Cups to come for them. Im not worried about the inexperience." NOTES: Landon Donovan, cut by Klinsmann on Thursday, broke the Major League Soccer goal record Sunday night. He returned to the LA Galaxy to score his 135th and 136th regular-season goals in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Mike Wallace Jersey . Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood tall with 41 saves between the pipes, but it was defenceman Ryan McDonagh who got the first star of the game as he had a goal and an assist and now has two goals and four assists for six points in two games. Ryan Jensen Jersey . Still, its a start. Josh Baileys goal with 1:40 left capped a furious third-period rally, and the Islanders edged the Penguins 4-3 on Friday night. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/Yo ... ns-Jersey/. What they did need, the Devils got from Patrik Elias. Elias scored a power-play goal 40 seconds into overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. Brent Urban Jersey . At this rate, the Flyers captain is set to be remembered more for a fantastic finish. Jimmy Smith Jersey . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres.NEW YORK -- In what seemed like an ultimate grudge match, players on both sides of the Columbus Blue Jackets-New York Rangers rivalry stepped up to inflict damage on their former team. Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and assist, and the Blue Jackets edged the Rangers 4-3 in a shootout on Monday night. Former Blue Jackets star Rick Nash -- acquired in the deal that sent Dubinsky to Columbus -- did his best to lift the Rangers, but his two power-play goals were only enough to get New York even. He and Mats Zuccarello were stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky in the tiebreaker. "It wouldve been nice to get that other point," Nash said. "Weve got to come out a lot better, and we cant keep making mistakes that end up in the back of our net." Bobrovsky made 40 saves through overtime in his first action in over a month to backstop Columbus win at the end of a 2-2 road trip. "This was a good two points for us," Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. "Bob was great with big save after big save. Dubinsky was really big for us. He played a strong game." Mark Letestu and Ryan Johansen scored against Henrik Lundqvist in the shootout. "Im happy we got a point. We played well for 60 minutes," Lundqvist said. "The difference is I didnt stop the breakaways and (Bobrovsky) did -- one in the second and in the shootout. I have some work to do." Lundqvist had the night off Saturday when backup Cam Talbot won 7-1 at Toronto. Lundqvist is 2-1-1 since sitting for three straight games in late December. Nash had tied it 3-3 with his second of the night, and ninth of the season, at 6:55 of the third period as David Savard served a penalty for delay of game. Defenceman James Wisniewski also had a goal and assist, and Cam Atkinson scored on a second-period breakaway to help the Blue Jackets win. "Always good to end road trips on a high note," Wisniewski said. "Weve been coming together as a team more and more." Bobrovsky shined in his return from a 14-game absence caused by a strained groin. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner had been out since Dec. 3 but showed no rust in a matchup with Lundqvist -- the Vezina winner in 2012. The Rangers came away with a point because of Nash, acquired from Columbus in 2012. Brian Boyle cut the deficit to 3-2 at 4:53 of the third, and Lundqvist made 36 saves through overtime for Neww York, which had won three of four before returning home.dddddddddddd The game took a noticeable turn 21 seconds into the second when Rangers forward Chris Kreider drove Columbus defenceman Fedor Tyutin into the left-wing boards with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit that left Tyutin down on his stomach. Dubinsky skated over to challenge Kreider, but a fight didnt ensue. Kreider was given a major penalty for boarding and was ejected. Dubinsky received a minor for roughing. Tyutin left soon after and didnt return to the game. "I looked at the replay. He tried to stop just before," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Kreider. "It seemed like he stopped, and sort of a follow-through from their player. Anytime a guy gets pushed into the boards the way he did, the referees dont have much of a choice." Vigneault doesnt expect Kreider to be suspended. Richards, who said the team will know more about Tyutins status on Tuesday, called the injury "more of a charley horse than anything else." With the teams skating 4-on-4, Atkinson stole the puck from defenceman Anton Stralman at the New York blue line, and raced alone the other way. He received little resistance from Stralman and beat Lundqvist to restore Columbus lead at 2-1. Columbus didnt take further advantage of the three-minute power play. Just 27 seconds after Columbus killed a penalty, Dubinsky made a perfect pass from the left-wing boards across the Rangers zone to a streaking Wisniewski on the right side. Wisniewski fired a rising shot that got in under the crossbar to make it 3-1 with 3:13 left in the second. Bobrovsky stopped 15 shots in each of the first two periods. He denied Brad Richards at the right post with his pads when Richards took a pair of whacks at a loose puck. Benoit Pouliot was stopped earlier in the period on a breakaway. Nash tied it 1-1 when he snapped a rising wrist shot from the left circle that caromed in off the left post with 52.8 seconds left in the first. Dubinsky had staked Columbus to a 1-0 lead with 2:53 remaining when Wisniewskis shot hit him in the leg and deflected in. NOTES: Newly acquired forward Daniel Carcillo didnt make his Rangers debut. ... Boyle scored for the second time in two games after going 27 games without a goal. ... Dubinsky has a goal and two assists in three games vs. New York. ... The 43 shots were the most allowed by Columbus this season. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '