U.S. suddenly threadbare at center back

Oguchi Onyewu’s injury misfortune has served to expose another leak on the Good Ship U.S. Soccer, a boat that was already taking on some water.

The United States hasn’t exactly been blessed without outstanding center backs of late. But the team has been solid there, at least, with Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit. So, maybe the garage wasn’t full of a bunch of showy BMWs, but rather with good, solid transportation. Plus, with Chad Marshall deputizing, having played so big in the Gold Cup and perhaps closing in on a second consecutive MLS Defender of the Year, there was pretty fair cover as well.

But given the injuries to Onyewu and DeMerit, if the World Cup were today Marshall would probably be a starter, with U.S. manager Bob Bradley reaching deep into the pool for reserve center backs. Jimmy Conrad, who hasn’t had the best of season at Kansas City and who had slipped from sight recently in the selection pool, might suddenly be one injury or card away from starting.

So, as I see it, here’s how the U.S. depth chart at center back looks for the moment:

1. Carlos Bocanegra

2. Chad Marshall

3. Jimmy Conrad

4. Jonathan Spector

5. Michael Parkhurst

Drilling down a little further into this situation, this is another worrying development where World Cup prospects are concerned. Yes, DeMerit and Onyewu are likely to be fit, but their form can certainly be wondered about.

This could also open the door for young Geoff Cameron, who is having such an outstanding season at center back for the Houston Dynamo. It’s a little bit of a stretch to think he could come into the program and immediately leapfrog so many in the pecking order. On the other hand, in terms of size, talent and athletic ability, he’s probably got more in him than anyone on the list above with the exception perhaps of Marshall.