Soccer America managing editor Paul Kennedy looks at the U.S. national team situation on the eve of the opening game of the year for the United States (vs. China, Jan. 27): U.S. coach Bruce Arena has the unusual task of preparing his team for the opening game of the Hexagonal against Mexico Feb. 28 and getting his players match fitness. Not only has MLS been off for three months, but three of the four players recalled from Europe for the China game — Landon Donovan, Brian McBride and Gregg Berhalter — have not been playing first-team soccer. Here’s a look at the U.S. team as the New Year begins, from back to front: Goalkeeper — Tony Meola is Arena’s No. 1 U.S.-based keeper. He’ll start against China. The only question is whether he recalls Kasey Keller or Brad Friedel for the qualifiers. If Keller or Friedel is recalled — he won’t call in both — he’ll start. Defense — Arena has several decisions to make: ò Go with three or four defenders? If he goes with three, he needs to be confident with his flank players, who must handle the task of going forward and tracking back on defense. ò Who to play right back? Steve Cherundolo is the right back of the future, but don’t look for Arena to use him in the early qualifiers. Tony Sanneh and Frankie Hejduk have played on the right. ò Who from Berhalter, Eddie Pope and Carlos Llamosa? When healthy, Pope has an automatic place in the lineup. Arena may go with all three players in the back and Jeff Agoos or David Regis at left back. Greg Vanney is cover in the middle or on the left side. ò Agoos or Regis? An old question. Arena goes back 15 years with Agoos to UVa but he likes Regis. And the Frenchman is playing again at Metz. Midfield — Chris Armas and Claudio Reyna are locks in midfield. Earnie Stewart played well enough in the semifinal round to keep a starting spot. The fourth spot? That depends on where Arena uses Reyna: behind the two strikers or on the right side, like he plays at Rangers. Sanneh, Ben Olsen and Chris Klein can play on the right side. Cobi Jones (unavailable for the China game because of a death in the family) will be Arena’s first option off the bench in qualifying. DaMarcus Beasley will get his first start against China but he remains a long-term prospect. If Reyna plays on the right side, Clint Mathis has first crack at the attacking midfield position. Mathis has passed Jovan Kirovski on the depth chart for now. Striker — Landon Donovan will get a shot to earn a starting job for the qualifiers — as a forward. Arena says the 18-year-old has a unique talent “in the last 30 yards.” McBride will probably start against China. Arena says he is “80 percent.” He and Olsen return to England after the China game, so Arena has to look at them now. Josh Wolff is already back after hernia surgery, to Arena’s surprise. “He’s flying,” says the U.S. coach, who may hold him out until the Colombia game. Joe-Max Moore is the other option up front for the qualifiers, though getting him released from Everton hasn’t proven easy. Others in the picture up front are Chris Albright and Ante Razov (playing well at Racing Ferrol).