USA captain and Manchester City playmaker Claudio Reyna thinks that his experience on the field will lead US head coach Bruce Arena to use him in a more defensive role in Team USA's World Cup team formation.

Reyna has been used in the past two World Cups as an attacking midfielder for the United States but, with Bruce Arena’s current set-up, 32-year-old Reyna might find himself in a more defensive role at this year's tournament in Germany.

“As players come and go into the team, I think I just try to find my role in the team,” said Reyna.

“Previously, I was probably more of an attacking player. And now, l still have a responsibility to control the tempo of the game, when to slow it down and speed it up.”

Reyna became the captain of the U.S. team in 1999, shortly after Bruce Arena took over as head coach, and in Japan/Korea 2002 played one of the best games of his career in the 2-0 second round World Cup win over CONCACAF rivals and neighbours Mexico.

If the Reyna is used in more of a defensive midfield role, it leads to some questions about Arena's line-up for the opening game against the Czech Repubic on June 12.

It may mean that Arena will choose to use Landon Donovan, who led the USA in scoring during qualifying - with as many assists as goals scored - to play as an attacking midfielder, or as a forward alongside Fulham's Brian McBride.

This would enable Arena to use the emerging talent in midfield of Reading’s Bobby Convey, who has been on stunning form for his club this season, and could fill in for the role previously held by Reyna.

The United States have been drawn in Group E in the World Cup Finals, alongside the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana in the showpiece soccer tournament which kicks-off on June 9.

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