Jürgen Klinsmann is slowly getting the U.S. men's soccer team to be more aggressive. In his first few weeks as head coach, the U.S. Soccer Federation has already accepted his requests to increase focus on developing young players and convincing players with dual citizenship to play for the U.S. In regard to tactic, Klinsmann has set the U.S. team up in an exciting 4-3-3 formation, which focuses on creating chances and maintaining possession.

 

So it's ironic that, despite all this forward thinking, the U.S. national team is still lacking forwards. In Klinsmann's first three games as head coach, the U.S. has compiled an 0-2-1 record and has scored just once. And while these games have shown that the U.S. is on its way to vastly improving its possession game, it's clear that the national team is in dire need of a goal scorer.

 

Landon Donovan, the U.S.'s all-time leader in goals scored, has been a key figure for the national team in the last decade. But Klinsmann is looking to use Donovan as a playmaker rather than as a striker. Edson Buddle, Juan Agudelo and Jozy Altidore have all been featured as forwards in Klinsmann's first three games, but none have made much of an offensive impact while on the field. So which player will step in to score the goals?

 

It's a question that has haunted the national team for too long. With many of America's goal-scoring greats aging or retiring, finding scorers has easily been one of the national team's toughest challenges. But Major League Soccer is helping cultivate new offensive talent for the national team.

One possible option is San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris "Wondo" Wondolowski, the reigning MLS scoring champion. Prior to his 18-goal season last year, Wondo had only scored seven times over a 5-year career. He has continued to maintain his form this year, currently ranked fifth among scorers with nine goals. Wondo has not scored in his five appearances with the national team, but he could be a viable option for Klinsmann going forward.

 

Another possibility is forward Charlie Davies, who is currently rebuilding his career with D.C. United after being involved in a life-threatening car accident in 2010. Davies is actually with D.C. on loan from French club Sochaux, but he could return to France at the end of the season. Unlike Wondolowski, Davies has scored four times for the national team. He also was a fixture up front for the U.S. squad before his car accident, and likely would have made the World Cup squad if he hadn't been injured. Even after the accident, Davies nearly made the World Cup team, but he has seen little international action for the U.S. since.

 

Even Agudelo, who Klinsmann has used off the bench in each of his first three games, is a viable option. The 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward personifies many of the qualities characteristic of a good forward: creativity, drive and precision. Agudelo has scored twice in 12 national team games, and has shown flashes of brilliance. His productivity is expected to increase as he ages and develops.

Klinsmann has a slew of friendlies in the next 7 months to experiment with players before World Cup qualification starts in June. Players like Wondolowski and Davies could earn their keep in the Klinsmann regime should he call them to the national team.

 

But Klinsmann might want to start experimenting with forwards sooner rather than later. Otherwise, his offense may remain stagnant past the start of qualification. An offensive style will help, but Klinsmann neads the correct pieces in play for the results to shine through.