SAN JOSE, Calif. -- If there's any silver lining to having a shorthanded roster for Friday's critical World Cup qualifier against Honduras, it's that some of U.S. coach Bruce Arena's toughest decisions have become a whole lot easier.
For example, Tim Howard is a lock to start in goal after Brad Guzan withdrew from the squad to be with his wife and newborn daughter. Meanwhile, Premier League handyman Geoff Cameron is penciled in at right-back after three other candidates were ruled out either by injury (DeAndre Yedlin, Eric Lichaj) or suspension (Timmy Chandler).
On the opposite side, four-time World Cup veteran DaMarcus Beasley is a shoo-in over the promising but green Jorge Villafana, who has just two caps to his name and zero league appearances for Mexican side Santos Laguna this year.