Oguchi Onyewu proves to coach Jurgen Klinsmann that he belongs on U.S. squad

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

After his historic signing with AC Milan in the summer of 2009, Onyewu went through a rough stretch that included a season-ending knee injury and a fight with club star Zlatan Imbrahimovic. Add an average stint with Twente a year later, and it's not too surprising that former U.S. team coach Bob Bradley decided to start Tim Ream and Clarence Goodson over the veteran in the 2011 Gold Cup.

But Onyewu may be back with the U.S. for good. The now healthy defender returned to the pitch for the team just in time to help Jurgen Klinsmann earn his first victory as head coach Saturday evening in South Florida. It was the first time he had featured for the squad since playing in the first half of last June's 4-0 exhibition debacle against Spain in New England.

“I’m happy right now. I think I’m in a good place, a good position to get back to where everyone esteemed I was prior to my injury,” Onyewu said.

Onyewu came in during the second half of the U.S. team's 1-0 win against Honduras and immediately brought stability to the backline. The comfort level that Onyewu, alongside Carlos Bocanegra, had on the pitch was palpable as he helped settle things down during stretches of the game where Honduras looked dangerous.

“He’s a huge asset for us, there’s no doubt about it,” Klinsmann said.

Onyewu's teammates also recognized the impact of the 29-yeard-old defender, who revived his career by recently signing a three-year deal with Portugese club Sporting CP.

“He was confident. He came in very healthy. I think things are going fantastic for him at Sporting so he carried it over here,” U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said, adding: “A happy, fit Gooch is very important to this team."

Onyewu has every reason to be happy these days. He's finally at a club where he is starting consistently. He is beginning to regain the same superb form all U.S. fans saw during the 2009 Confederations Cup, which has caught the eye of Klinsmann.

“That’s why we called Gooch in because he’s back in a rhythm overseas for a very good team, Sporting Lisbon, so we followed him closely over the last couple of weeks,”Klinsmann said.

However, at the same time Klinsmann realizes Onyewu is still a work in progress.

“He’s physically looking OK. He still has a way to go," the coach said. "He needs to play a whole year through.”

And it sounds like Klinsmann will give Onyewu more opportunities to prove himself as the U.S. prepares for the World Cup qualifiers next June. He let his intentions be known in a single succinct phrase.

"He’s back."