USMNT in FIFA 13

          Feeling patriotic and want to select the U.S. National team as your side for a game of FIFA 13? Good decision. I'm here to help you optimize your squad and get every last ounce of ability out of the Yanks.
          Depending on which roster update you're playing with, U.S.A. will fluctuate between 3.5 and 4.0 stars, meaning that when you play online, you generally will not be matched up against the likes of FC Barcelona or the famous CFC. This means that mistakes by your defense will be punished less often, as a 70-75 overall striker is much less likely to find the back of the net than somebody the caliber of Wayne Rooney.
          The United States can be a very entertaining team to play with, and if you can combine winning on top of that national pride, even better. Follow these recommendations before going into battle with the Americans and soon enough you'll be having more fun than Jerry Sandusky at a peewee football camp.

          Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond Wide (Otherwise known as a 4-1-2-1-2)

          I've been having a lot of success with this formation lately, having picked up on it after reading an article by Darren Cross, deputy editor for MATCH magazine and one of the most respected FIFA players out there. I've found playing with two strikers up front to make a world of difference when playing online seasons in FIFA 13. Getting by a defender with one of your strikers often pulls the second forward's mark away from him allowing for easy goals. After the formation's sorted out, it's time to slot players into each spot.

Goalkeeper - Tim Howard 

           Not really much to think about here, Tim Howard is the best rated player on this National Team, so he's my selection to start the game.

Left Back - Demarcus Beasley (Key Stats: 90 Sprint Speed, 89 Acceleration, 80 Stamina)

           Naturally a left-side midfielder, he's recently found a home for the National Team playing left back, and that's where I've decided to play him. He's feeling pretty pacey at the moment, boasting a 90 in the sprint speed department. This allows him to get up the left flank to put crosses in with his better foot and still get back on defense with relative ease. Also, his speed allows him to quickly recover from any mistakes on defense that result from him not being a natural defender.

LCB - Matt Besler (Key Attributes: 79 Strength, 76 Sprint Speed)

          My choice to start the game next to Beasley, he is relatively quick for a 6'0" centerback, with 75 Acceleration and 76 Sprint Speed to his credit, allowing him to get over and cover Beasley should he get caught up the pitch. Although Geoff Cameron is rated higher overall than Besler, I feel that Besler's nearly ten point advantages in the strength and speed ratings justify giving him the cap.

RCB - Omar Gonzalez (Key Attributes: 6'5" Height, 81 Strength, Aerial Threat Specialty)

          The best thing about Gonzalez is his size, standing at 6'5" he's always a threat whenever your team wins a corner. His size and strength are obviously an asset when defending your goal, he's saved me many times by putting his massive frame in front of an opposition's shot or cross attempt.

Right Back - Fabian Johnson (Key Attribute: 88 Sprint Speed) 

           Again, Geoff Cameron is a thought to start in this spot, but I prefer my fullbacks to be full of pace, and Johnson is. He's got 88 for Sprint Speed, which admittedly isn't among the world's elite, but at the 3.5-4.0 star level it's more than enough to cause opponents problems when pushing up the channel. Listed as a left back, he'll have to settle for playing time as the defender on the right side. In this formation the outside backs will often make runs up the field and provide service in to the attackers, so I prefer him to be on his stronger foot. Johnson and Beasley's pace rating afford you to play the lumbering centerbacks in favor of smaller, quicker ones, as they can chase down many loose strikers.

Left Midfield - Eddie Johnson (Key Attributes: 91 Strength, 85 Acceleration, 84 Sprint Speed)

          An MLS striker in real life, he finds a spot on my team by playing left midfield. While he can make his way around the pitch with 84 Sprint Speed and 85 Acceleration his biggest asset is his strength. Playing in the midfield utilizes his 91 Strength rating to win back balls, but don't be afraid to push him forward. Johnson's natural position is striker, and that's most evident when he gets on the end of a cross. His Power Header Trait can result in a lot of goals, especially when combined with his 84 Agility rating and 81 Jumping attribute which allow him to get to most balls you send his way.

CDM - Jermaine Jones (Key Attributes: 92 Aggression, 85 Stamina, 82 Strength)

          Jermaine Jones is an absolute monster in FIFA 13 that plays at a much higher level than his 77 Overall rating would indicate. He's an animal in defense, and can take the ball from any attacker coming his way. His Strength rating of 82 allows him to have a chance at any loose ball, just what you want from your holding midfielder. Big and strong with outstanding endurance, he controls the center of the field as well as anyone in the game from the first whistle until the last.

Right Midfield - Graham Zusi (Key Attribute: 77 Crossing)

          In addition to having the coolest name on the team, Zusi is also the best crosser of the bunch. Put him on the right side and let him work to the corner, where he can whip in a cross. He has many targets to pick from, including Altidore on the front post and Eddie Johnson on the back. His four-star weak foot and 88 shot power attribute also means that he can be effective by cutting into the middle and looking to have a shot on goal.

CAM - Michael Bradley (Key Attributes: 86 Stamina, 82 Strength, 81 Ball Control, 80 Aggression)

          Another player playing out of position, Bradley usually assumes a more defensive role than what I have him playing here. He's not the fastest player on the field, but he is tall and strong with great ball control, which means he can hold the ball in the middle of the field and allow his more creative teammates to make runs around him. Although he's playing toward the top of the formation, you'll still find him winning a lot of balls for your side, combining him with Jones in the middle of the pitch creates an extremely solid and reliable pairing to start your attack with.

RS: Jozy Altidore (Key Attributes: 88 Strength, 86 Shot Power)

           The logical choice to sit in front of goal, his size and strength makes him a great target for Beasley and Zusi to find in the box. His four star weak foot and 86 Shot Power combined with a decent 79 rating for Finishing make him a great target man to have at the top of your formation.

LS: Clint Dempsey (Key Attributes: 83 Attacking Position, 82 Finishing, 81 Ball Control, 80 Vision)

          While I'd rather have him playing CAM, I'm not going to take Bradley off of the field for Dempsey to play there, and Duece is more than capable playing as the second forward. While he doesn't boast much pace, he's deadly when given service in front of goal, as evidenced by his 6'1" frame, 87 Heading Accuracy, 84 Jumping, 82 Shot Power, and 82 Finishing. He works surprising well as a striker, able to put the ball in the net from anywhere in the box. Also, his 83 Attacking Position puts him in great spots to be fed the ball with an opportunity to have a crack at goal, and a solid 80 Short Pass rating allows him to slide the ball over to Altidore when Josmer finds himself open.

          Strategy: Overall, I have found success with this lineup online, even though the team lacks blazing speed in its attacking players. As a result, the way to score with this team isn't to play over-the-top balls and let the strikers run onto them, but have a patient offense and utilize the tremendous team strength up the middle. For the dedicated FIFA players out there, you can further customize your team shape by altering your players' positioning through Team Management. When customizing my formation, I've found this to be the best positioning for my players...

         - Beasley works best up the flank, utilize his speed.

         - Drop Bradley and Dempsey a bit to utilize their possession skills and combine them with Jones to control the middle of the field.

         - Move Eddie Johnson slightly toward the middle as he pushed up the field, this will help utilize his strength to win back clearances, as well as put him in better position to volley home a cross or two.

         - Send Zusi to a position where he can easily send crosses in for your powerful men in the middle.

           Good luck to all my fellow USA fans out there, give this strategy a try and see how they play. Thanks for reading!