Gaven and Zizzo among the standouts

There was nothing much to play for when the U.S. Under-23 national team took the field against Honduras in Saturday's Olympic qualifier, but there was still plenty to learn.

By the time Eddie Gaven converted the game-winning and Group A-clinching penalty kick in stoppage time to give the United States a 1-0 victory, U.S. coach Peter Nowak had seen enough to help him make his lineup decisions for the decisive CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinal on Thursday.

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Eddie Gaven looks to have nailed down a starting spot after another solid outing.

Nowak saw Gaven provide dynamic midfield play, as his experience and skill stood out in a matchup against a Honduras team fielding its reserves. He also saw Stuart Holden and Michael Orozco both deliver strong performances for the second straight match, as well as Charlie Davies showing the speed and aggressiveness to be an impact forward after his failed foray as a winger. Lastly, Nowak watched Sal Zizzo provide quality service and blazing speed on the right flank.

All five players made strong cases to be starters on Thursday and with the exception of Davies, they should all make their way into the lineup regardless of who the Americans wind up playing for a place in the Olympic Games.

Saturday's game was about as sloppy as you might expect from two teams that had already secured passage into the semis. Honduras offered little in the way of defensive pressure or attacking prowess, choosing instead to rest its top players. The Americans rested Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu, Jozy Altidore, Nathan Sturgis and Chris Seitz, all of whom should play key roles in the semifinal.

As ugly as the game was, Gaven still found a way to shine for the second straight time. After playing well against Panama, delivering the pass that led to the game-winning penalty, the Columbus midfielder showed composure on the ball and a willingness to take on defenders that reminded us of his stellar form in the final portion of the 2007 MLS season. As rough a time as Gaven had at Copa America last summer, he responded well and should be given a key role on Thursday.

Holden gave the U.S. team energy, bite and skill, a combination that was needed in a game that felt flat at times. He also looked a touch more comfortable in a central midfield role rather than on the right flank, which Zizzo made a strong case for owning. The Hannover 96 winger played just 59 minutes against Honduras. However, he showed flashes of the player who was so dangerous in the U-20 World Cup and there is little debating that Zizzo offers the best wing service on the U.S. roster.

Orozco didn't have any highlight-reel plays, he just keeps defending well, making the tough tackles and putting himself in good spots on a consistent basis. Patrick Ianni enjoyed a better game on Saturday than he had against Cuba, but he seems unlikely to get the call for Thursday.

The United States won't learn its opponent on Thursday until Sunday's Group B games are completed, but Nowak has seen enough after three group games to know which players he is leaning toward starting. The 11 players he goes with could be strongly impacted by a player who hasn't even been with the team.

Will Nowak call in Jonathan Spector? The West Ham defender is on the U.S. roster and was expected to be called in for the decisive semifinal. Spector has started and played 90 minutes in West Ham's past two matches so he should be on form if he is called on. So what starting lineup will Nowak start on Thursday? Here is one guess:

Forward: Jozy Altidore. After a rough first match against Cuba, Altidore showed more against Panama. That was due, at least in part, to the midfield getting him more looks. If Nowak starts the right midfield lineup, Altidore should be able to create his share of chances in the semifinals.

Midfielders: Freddy Adu, Eddie Gaven, Maurice Edu, Stuart Holden and Sal Zizzo. Using Gaven and Zizzo on the wings will do wonders for Altidore, who is probably still having nightmares of playing with Charlie Davies and Robbie Findley as his support wingers in a one-forward attack. Zizzo's speed and service alone should help stretch out whoever the opponent is.

The central midfield trio of Adu, Edu and Holden has yet to play together, but it would give the American attack the perfect balance of offensive ability and defensive sturdiness. Nowak could go with McCarty, who has been solid this tournament, and McCarty would very likely get the call if Edu has to play in central defense (which he will if Spector is not called in).

Defenders: Nathan Sturgis, Spector, Orozco and Kamani Hill. Sturgis played one match at left back against Panama and looked better there defensively than Freeman, who has looked shaky at times playing away form his natural right back position. Hill is still learning the right back slot but he has better ball skills than Marvell Wynne, who might get schooled against the dangerous wingers of Mexico. If Spector is called in, he should start in central defense. This would allow Nowak to partner him with Orozco, which would allow Edu to play in his central midfield role. If Spector stays in England, then an Edu-Orozco tandem will be necessary, which isn't a bad alternative.

Goalkeeper: Chris Seitz. This isn't even a question. Dom Cervi was solid as a starter against Honduras, but the starting job belongs to Seitz.

Nowak will have a few days to consider the possibilities, but not before he learns on Sunday who his team's opponent will be in the semifinals. Whether it is Mexico, Canada or Haiti, the Americans will face their toughest game of the tournament on Thursday. Going from a match without much on the line to a match with everything on the line won't be easy, but the promising performances of several American players on Saturday will make Nowak feel far better about his squad than he felt about it just five days ago, after the team's tie against Cuba.

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com.