Alexi Lalas floats Timothy Chandler as left-wing option for the USA
Timothy Chandler has been floated as an option for the USMNT on the left wing by former USA centre-back Alexi Lalas.
Chandler has not represented the United States since the 4-0 loss to Costa Rica in November 2016, but a return to form and fitness has seen the 27-year-old, normally a right-back, plunder a goal and four assists, latterly from left-wing back, to help Eintracht Frankfurt climb into European contention.
“Maybe he's a new player?” said former centre-back Lalas, capped 96 times for his country between 1991 and 1998, when asked about his compatriot on Fox Soccer. “Certainly the way that he's playing right now, especially over on this left hand side in a more advanced position. Maybe he's going to be an option going forward.”
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The USMNT are without a permanent head coach after parting ways with Jürgen Klinsmann’s successor Bruce Arena in October. As part of the squad that failed to get the USA to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986, Chandler’s reputation might have been tarnished, but Lalas thinks he’s worth a second chance.
“There might be some very, very good players that don't get called into the national team,” he said. “But when they're playing well like Timothy Chandler, they're going to have a lot of attention. And rightfully so.”