Mirror android screen on a spare lcd monitor using usb cable

Original answer from September 2015: No, you cannot with a standard USB cable. Depending on the mobile device in question as well as the monitor, you could possibly connect the phone with an MHL adapter.

Update September 2020: Five years later and, of course, there are greater options for connecting a mobile device to an external screen. Hoping that everyone is now running newer than Android 4.2.2. and with the use of USB-C for connections, I've been using this USB-C to HDMI with OTG USB-A and USB-C charging. The important part is the charging feature for two reasons:

1. Some devices will not transmit video without additional power.

2. The adapter will charge the device while it is being used to drive an external screen.