US will present physical challenge

Denmark and Russia enjoy loftier reputations in world soccer, but it is tonight's visitors at Lansdowne Road who could give Mick McCarthy's men their toughest test to date in the warm-up to the World Cup.

The US have no great pedigree in the game, but they will be fit, athletic, competitive and hungry for success. Although their squad is not peppered with household names, they too arrive with a squad full of players trying to book places on the plane to Japan and Korea.

That means tonight's match is another testing ground for the Irish squad, another opportunity to influence selection. This will be Ireland's biggest test so far. The Americans will believe they can compete physically, so Ireland must try to outplay them.

That in itself is a decent test for the Irish over the 90 minutes. Obviously some supporters may try to draw parallels with the US's recent 4-2 defeat by Germany in terms of how Ireland fare, but to be honest that'll mean diddly squat by the time the World Cup comes around.

The visitors won't be upset by the pitch - unlike some teams that have visited Lansdowne Road. The Americans don't have a team of seasoned campaigners who have plied their trade in the great footballing stadia. You can certainly expect them to match Ireland for effort, physical strength and athleticism.

McCarthy's selection is an attractive one from a footballing perspective, and once again dangles the carrot in front of a couple of players. Rory Delap gets a belated chance to stake a claim for a place on the plane this summer.

He is one of the most laid back characters on and off the pitch, but tonight there has to be a sense of urgency. He needs to make McCarthy sit up and notice in a big way, and basically to try to persuade the manager that he simply can't be left out of the travelling party.

His adaptability, his ability to play anywhere on the right side, in the centre of midfield and up front, is a big factor in his favour. Every team needs a utility player and Delap has an opportunity to press his claim.

In his Derby days he played just about everywhere, including up front, and recently he has been thriving for Southampton in that central midfield role.

There are some strong candidates available for places on the right side of the team. Steve Finnan, Gary Kelly and Jason McAteer are almost certain to make the squad, while Steven Reid is another with strong credentials.

IT'S nearly decision time for McCarthy, and the battle for places among the centre halves is reaching - shall we say - fever pitch. Andy O'Brien and Gary Breen have been handed the starting roles. Although Steve Staunton and Kenny Cunningham may yet prove Ireland's first-choice partnership in Japan, Richard Dunne must rue the hamstring injury that forced him to return to Manchester City for treatment.

O'Brien might have developed more quickly at club level if he had had a more experienced and consistent partner other than Dabizas. When you're young and learning your trade, it helps to have a stronger figure than that alongside you. But he's done very well in spite of that.

Colin Healy gets another chance to impress. Mick has already conceded that he has been impressed with the Celtic youngster's temperament as well as his ability. And it's good to see Damien Duff and Robbie Keane being allowed to develop their understanding.

The injuries with which Niall Quinn has to constantly battle mean these two could become Ireland's first-choice pairing. The more often they get to play together, the better their understanding will become.

In terms of confidence and that habit of winning, it would be nice to see the team continue to record victories in these warm-up games. People can point out that Denmark and Russia will be different prospects by the time the World Cup comes around, but that is not our problem. We dealt with them on the day.

This is a good test for Ireland. The Americans will present a physically competitive challenge, offering a genuine test and proving ground for those Irish players hoping to make a lasting impression on Mick McCarthy.

In an interview with John O'Sullivan