U.S. needs balanced attack

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Don Emmert/Getty ImagesThe return of Clint Dempsey will add experience and depth to the U.S.'s attack against Belgium.

"Balance" is one of those words that occasionally crops up in soccer discussions. It can refer to a team's relative strengths between attack and defense, or even from wing to wing. It also can be used to assess a side's attacking philosophy in terms of how many to send forward and at what speed. It's this latter definition that likely will be foremost in the minds of manager Jurgen Klinsmann and his players when the U.S. men's national team takes on host Belgium in Brussels on Tuesday. (You can watch it on ESPN2 and ESPN3 starting at 2:30 p.m. ET., and join our Instant Analysis at 2 p.m. ET)

In his brief time in charge, Klinsmann has emphasized taking more risks in attack, and the good and the bad of this approach were on display Friday in the Americans' 1-0 loss to a depleted Costa Rica side. Although the U.S. showed an aggressive mindset in garnering the majority of possession, the team was unable to translate that dominance into goals. It eventually was undone by a classic counterattacking move that was finished by the Ticos' Rodney Wallace.

Tuesday's encounter represents a different challenge entirely, and not just because the U.S. will be playing in Europe, a continent where its record since the start of 2000 is 4-15-3.

"[Belgium] is one of the rising teams in Europe," Klinsmann said before the Costa Rica match. "They have a lot of young talent coming through. … For us, it's a good benchmark, and we need those games. The better the teams are, wherever we travel to, the better it is for us as a learning process. These guys have the opportunity to measure themselves."

For more on the talent-rich Belgium squad, click here.

Foremost among those talented young players are Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku and Lille winger Eden Hazard, and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany marshals the defense. Everton's Marouane Fellaini and veteran Timmy Simons are usually counted on to steady the midfield.

It seems unlikely, however, that Belgium will field a full-strength squad. The Red Devils coughed up a late equalizer in a 1-1 tie with Azerbaijan on Friday that has jeopardized their chances of qualifying for Euro 2012. Thanks to Turkey's dramatic 2-1 win over Kazakhstan, Belgium is in third place in Group A, 12 points behind runaway leader Germany and a point behind Turkey, which has played one less game. The Turks now have the inside track to finish second in the group, which would see them go to a playoff to qualify.

For that reason, Belgium manager Georges Leekens might opt to experiment with players less burdened by any hangover from Friday's result, players who are also keen to stake their claim for more playing time.

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images"I've been looking forward to this match for a long time," said U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who plays his club soccer for Belgian side Anderlecht. "There's a lot of trash talk going on with Lukaku and my buddy Denis [Odoi]."

"[Friday] was a huge opportunity for Belgium to stay in second place in their group," said U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who plays his club soccer with Belgian side Anderlecht. "Maybe they'll have a little extra passion and want to show well in front of their home fans against us."

Klinsmann figures to make some changes, as well. In a prearranged deal, Landon Donovan will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but the U.S. roster will be bolstered by the additions of Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo and Kyle Beckerman. Given Kljestan's familiarity with some of Belgium's players, he could play an enhanced role, as well.

"I've been looking forward to this match for a long time, even when there were just rumors about it," he said. "I'll get to play against a couple of teammates and former teammates, and play in the city which I now call home. So it will be fun. There's a lot of trash talk going on already with Lukaku and my buddy Denis [Odoi]."

So, what does this mean for Klinsmann's overall plans? On the surface, not much. The former German international is still intent on pushing the U.S. players out of their collective comfort zone, regardless of how it might impact the team's results. "We want to try and develop that style of play where we are confident on the ball, we try to pass our way through difficult situations and tight spaces," Klinsmann said after the Costa Rica match. "And it will take time to build that confidence. But also they learn the physical rhythm that they can keep that tempo. We're going to continue to work on that."

Yet although Klinsmann has emphasized this approach all along, that doesn't mean he wants his team to be reckless. Belgium will carry more of the game than Costa Rica did Friday, and that is why a more experienced U.S. lineup likely will see the field. Such changes will allow Klinsmann's players to better manage that delicate balance between playing out of the back when the opportunity presents itself but also playing more directly if the team is put under too much pressure. And whereas the U.S. had virtually no chances to counterattack against defensively oriented Costa Rica, it should be able to take advantage of a Belgium side with considerably more attacking verve and hit it on the counter.

Without question, mistakes will be made as the team continues to adapt to Klinsmann's way of doing things. But there already appears to be considerable buy-in from the players, and for a country that has long searched for a definitive style, the approach appears to fit the Americans' personality.

"I think [the style] is a preview of things to come," striker Jozy Altidore said Friday. "I think the pressure was great, and at times, I thought we played good football. I think this style is only going to suit us down the road, so hopefully we just get better and better at it."

Better, of course, is a relative term. On Tuesday, striking the right balance within Klinsmann's system will help achieve that end.

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN.com. He is also the author of "Soccer's Most Wanted II: The Top 10 Book of More Glorious Goals, Superb Saves and Fantastic Free-Kicks." He can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.

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Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet.