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Beat Spain.
Two words, one seemingly impossible task. Not just for the U.S. national team, which faces the European champions on Wednesday (2:25pm, ESPN/Univision), but seemingly for any team these days.
So how will the Americans pull off an upset? The better question is how will the United States measure up? Will the U.S. team push Spain for 90 minutes, as they did in last year's 1-0 loss to Spain? Or will they make costly mistakes and lose badly to another world power?
The U.S. team could choose to bunker in, 'Park the Bus' if you will, as Iraq did in losing 1-0 to Spain last week, but that approach wouldn't really tell us much about the United States and its ability to play its own brand of soccer well against even the best of competition.
Expect the Americans to field a lineup with its share of attacking options, but also with a solid defensive foundation. In fact, there isn't much reason to believe we'll see a lineup much different from the one that beat Egypt, 3-0, on Sunday.
So who will the United States start vs. Spain? Here is one possible lineup:
USA Projected Lineup vs. Spain
————–Altidore——-Davies————-
Donovan——————————-Dempsey
————–Bradley——–Clark—————
Bornstein—Bocanegra—Onyewu—–Spector
———————Howard———————
While Jay DeMerit has been very good playing in place of Carlos Bocanegra, you have to go with Bocanegra if he is healthy. It should not be forgotten that the Bocanegra-Onyewu tandem did very well vs. Spain last year, with Bocanegra helping contain Torres while the Liverpool striker was in the game.
Now, if Bocanegra still isn't recovered from his hamstring injury then you stay with Demerit, meaning we could see the same starting lineup that beat Egypt.
So why not Bocanegra at left back and DeMerit in the middle? That move wouldn't be too bad, although you wonder how smart it would be to have Bocanegra testing out his recovered hamstring on the left flank against Spain's speedy wingers in space. No, marking Torres and Villa wouldn't be easy, but marking them would provide different physical tests.
What other changes could we see? It's tough to imagine any other moves. The Bradley-Clark combo worked so well vs. Egpyt, making Jose Torres and Freddy Adu extreme longshots. Benny Feilhaber has been the midfielder off the bench and the safe bet to get the call if Clark or Bradley couldn't go for some reason.
Here is one lineup I wouldn't mind seeing:
—-Donovan———Dempsey————-Davies—-
———-Clark———Bradley——-Feilhaber——–
Bornstein—-Bocanegra—Onyewu————Spector
————————Howard————————–
Why this group? Altidore has had his moments, but hasn't produced the chances you would want for the minutes he has gotten (That said, I do think he would be a handful for Spain's centerbacks). This lineup puts Dempsey closer to goal and puts Donovan and Davies in space, where their speed can go at Spain's somewhat vulnerable flanks. You also put together Bradley, Clark and Feilhaber in central midfield, where they just might work well enough together to slow down Spain's creative midfielders.
The U.S. lineup is relatively easy to call, especially compared to the Spain lineup, which has many more variables. It's a safe bet that you will see Torres, Villa, Fabregas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso, but the back four has plenty of variations and there are several midfielders who can slot in with the aforementioned quintet. Here is one potential Spain lineup:
————–Villa———Torres————–
———Silva——-Xavi——-Fabregas—–
——————–Alonso———————
Capdevila—–Pique—Puyol———Ramos
——————-Casillas——————–
No matter who Spain starts, the key to slowing them down will be cutting off passing lanes and tightly marking the dangerous forward tandem of VIlla and Torres. The Americans contained Torres last year, but Villa didn't play in that game. If the U.S. team can stay organized in midfield, and disciplined in the back, we will have a very competitive game to watch, much like last year's meeting.
For those of you wondering, here were the starting lineups the last time these teams met a year ago:
SPAIN 1, USA 0 (June 4, 2008): The Lineups
===============Casillas=================
Ramos===Marchena=====Puyol====Capdevila
——————-E. Johnson——————–
===============Alonso=================
E. Lewis————Adu—————Dempsey
=========Xavi========Fabregas=========
————–Bradley—-Edu———————-
Cazorla=========Torres=============Silva
Pearce—Bocanegra—Onyewu—–Cherundolo
——————–Howard———————-
The United States did well against Spain to create some chances and defend well, but the Spanish will be employing a 4-4-2 this time around that will provide a much tougher test for the U.S. back-line.
One thing the Americans must do is attack on the flanks and force Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila to defend. Pressuring them means limiting Spain's flank options and forcing playmakers Xavi and Fabregas to get around Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark in order to create chances. That might seem like a bit of a mismatch, but last year Bradley and Maurice Edu held up very well for about 70 minutes before finally being worn-down and pierced by a beautiful Xavi run.
The U.S. team would do well to look closely at last year's meeting and realize that it will face a very similar Spain team on Wednesday, while the current U.S. team is stronger than last year's group. That, coupled with Sunday's victory, should give the Americans enough confidence to make Wednesday's semifinal a more competitive match than some might expect it to be.
——————–
Now it is your turn. What starting lineup would you like to see the United States use vs. Spain? Think the USA can pull off the upset? Excited to see how the American stack up against the best team in the world?
Share your thoughts below.
…and the condescension award goes to the perennial winner, Xander Crews. Big virtual pat on the back champ.
I understand BB has had some suspect choices(ESPECIALLY sitting on that final sub in the Brazil game) but he’s had a lot to deal with. Injuries to Hejduk, Ching, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, and suspensions to Howard( missed El Salvador) and Bradley( missed Honduras). The fact that the injured four weren’t in any of the group games didn’t exactly help Bradley.
Posted by: Isaac | June 23, 2009 at 11:24 AM
———-
Isaac, Isaac, Isaac… really? That’s the best you can do for sticking up for Bobbo?
I’ll put it at its most basic terms for you: if Bobbo can’t handle injuries and suspensions, then he shouldn’t be the manager of a national side. Pure and simple.
Yikes… Since when did not having Frankie Freakin’ Hejduk and Brian Ching turn into an excuse to play piss-poor soccer?
I HOPE THAT US BEATS SPAIN. NO MATTER HOW CRAZY OUR RIVALRY IS, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE CONCACAF TEAM.
VIVA MEXICO!
If my memory of the game against Spain is accurate, the spanish defense was very suspect to speed. EJ had a few chances- remember the cross at the start of the second half? And Adu turned a few heads in that game. We need a team that could play better possession, soak up the pressure and not just kick long balls.
Also I think Ives assessment of Jozy is way off. Remember how he turned that defender in the Italy game? He still can do things none of our other forwards can. he is a threat every time.
A link to some Adu highlights of the Spain game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkfdocCVHkk
Since Bob is willing to gamble by giving other underperforming players a look I wonder when Adu’s time will come, probably the Gold Cup. Adu just better be ready to prove himself when he steps on the pitch. Perhaps then the Adu fan club will be able to better ascertain if they are still on target with their demands.
The US plays a certain brand of footie and Adu should probably conform to it in order to first get some playing time in games that “matter.” With so much time watching from the bench I hope he has developed a notion of his teammates tendencies with a mind to capitalize on them instead of expecting others to play for him.
For anyone on the USMNT its hard to create when others don’t know how to run off the ball and the first touch leaves much to be desired.
Does Bradley survive if Spain puts up a bunch? I guess it depends on your expectations of the U.S. next summer.
http://bit.ly/kWyNi
The U.S. looked good for 140 minutes when it attacked against Italy and Egypt and looked awful when it defended for 140 minutes against Italy and Brazil. The bottom line against Spain is that U.S. players have to make strong runs deep into Spain’s defense while leaving the backline home to defend against the counter. I would pair Dempsey with Altidore since Dempsey can’t run much or defend, let Donovan do exactly what he did against Egypt, and give him Benny to look for his runs. Bradley and Clark (ugh) to hold, although I’d prefer Torres in this game in particular. Leave the back 4 alone and put Howard back in goal.
I think set pieces are the key in this game. The Spain mids are not that big, and if we have one advantage, it is our height and physical presence.
at least we will beat b afana bafana in the third place game
Posted by: Johnny | June 23, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Who says??? Maybe we will beat Bafana Bafana in the FIRST PLACE GAME…;)
Tonytdc – “let boca come back to the starting lineup vs south africa”
Do you really think SA will beat Brazil? I don’t see us playing SA unless that happens…lol
Theyre better off putting Adu, Torres, etc and seeing how the team plays against the best. After all the real games are next summer might as well find out what’s what.
Here’s another question…what happens when the host nation wins their region’s tournament. Like if South Africa won the African cup of nations. Would the runner up participate?
I think that Dempsey want to play at top and score goals. If I was Bob Bradley I put him close to the goal and pair him with either Altidore or Davis, either one will do fine with me. That way we can have Feilhaber or Adu play the right wing. on the middle have Bradley pair with Clark or Torres and on the left Donovan so if bornstein is playing the left Donovan can help him on defences like it did against Egypt. Or maybe have Bocanegra on the left and Oguchi and DeMerit Central and of Course Spector on the right. Like I say before Come USA give a good show and show the world that we too have and can play good football. I know we all here like to play the Coach but Bob Bradley better bring it this time and give us a good show and our guys play with heart and passion. Plus it won’t killed them playing a good soccer and maybe get scout it by other team in La Liga or Seria A. remember this a stage where a lots of people are keeping an eye and got drafted to better clubs. PS Altidore is time to shine now that you have a new Coach in Villareal and Peligrini is not there since there are rumors that Rossi it may leave and Franco too.
and the 3 subs to allow for change of shape/tactics/energy whenever appropriate – feilhaber, clark, adu. if the tactic works but torres isn’t up to it, sub in adu. if the shape and tactic don’t work, sub in clark for torres. if davies isn’t having the same impact as last game, sub in feilhaber with dempsey moving to forward. if it gets ugly, sub out donovan and dempsey for feilhaber and adu and let the young guys have some fun and run at the big boys. might as well be entertaining and an experience for the younger guys.
go usa!!!!!!!!! were gonna beat spain 2-1. i know all of yall will think im crazy for saying that but just wait, youll see and then you will all think im a soccer genius.
let boca come back to the starting lineup vs south africa. no need to put him out against spain off injury when demerit has done well. also, i say start davies up front to have a speed aspect to our front line to force spain’s defense to spend some energy as well. now i know it won’t happen, but i would like to see torres, b/c of his skill on the ball and ability to maintain possession under pressure, mixing it up with xavi and fabregas. not the best way to clamp down on the spain attack, but do we really think clark is going to shut down xavi for the entire 90?
howard
spector-gooch-demerit-bornstein
dempsey-bradley-torres-donovan
davies-altidore
==============Howard=================
Spector==Gooch=====Demerit==Bornstein
================Clark================
==Dempsey======Bradley======Donovan==
================Adu==================
==============Altidore===============
I put Dempsey there because I don’t like any other option out there, other than Davies, but I don’t know if his defense is stingy enough to do that job, and I believe that that goal may have gotten a little bit of “Deuce’s” swagger back, and provide him the confidence and energy he needs to be who we need him to be.
Also, because I believe nobody else has yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkfdocCVHkk
Isaac,
Bob Bradley is not the only coach to deal with injuries or player missing game for either been comulating yellow or get red cards. Please that is the saddest excuse. That is why you need a coach that can do the right Subtitution or lineup and good team on the field. We have good players that can provide a good show and can play its matter of putting them where they can do their job and give the best of them.
Before I get pounced on, let me start out by saying that I am a huge Adu fan and I see tons of potential in the kid.
That said, are you sure you want him playing against Spain?? I ask this because he obviously hasn’t been playing much at all at the club level and we all know that BB hasn’t been playing him for the USMNT. Isn’t anyone a bit weary of putting in a player that has to be rusty playing against the #1 team in the world?
What am I missing here?
Save Davis for the sub.. Although Dempsey is one straw away from breakin it for me I say start #2 up front with Altidore and see where that gets us. Thats all..
Spain have yet to see the pressure were gonna apply..I see a tie game after regulation
If you dont like it….change the channel.
I have a gut feeling Boob rewards the same cast that won the last game. However, I do feel that Demps-Altidore-Gooch need to rest. We are not advancing beyond this soo why not take the oportunity to try some new players? If not in a starting capacity then maybe 2 half-time subs and 1 final sub later in the 2nd half. In any case Win or lose, the key is to get better, gain valuable experience for the younger players and make it competative.
——–Guzano———–
Spector-Gooch—Boca—–
——–Jay-D————
Bradley——–CLark
———-LD——–
Dempsey-Altidore-Davies
Just a question. If we DO play Dempsey and Altidore up top who would be the target striker? As far as I know both of these guys are used to playing off of a target striker. Dempsey would play off Twellman for the Revolution, Ching for the national team, and Johnson for Fulham. Jozy would play off Ching for the MNT, and Angel for the Red Bulls. They both seem capable of it.
@Roberto
We’re not Spain (hell, we’re not even England). A lineup of pure “balls,” as you put it, won’t cut it against a top-level team. Otherwise SPL teams would win the Champions’ League every year.
And if you’re tired of our speculative lineups, then go post somewhere else; this isn’t the site for you.
guzan over howard
I’m not an Adu fan (yet), but since he had a good game against Spain last year and Dempsey is tired, why not play with the same line-up as in the Egypt game, but replace Dempsey with Adu? Dempsey can come in 2nd half if Adu is not in form or can’t generate the attack.
And why assume that Howard should automatically start? In some of the goals that he’s allowed recently, he looked to be too far off his line.
Angel,
Ummm….I think Whatageme’s first post that started this was meant as a joke. Read it again.
“I don’t know what Adu needs to get some minutes in this game. ”
Play more than 100 minutes a year with his club.
Whatageme,
When I say Freaking out of you min I hope you didn’t take it in a bad way. but the
one thing tho is that we want the best for our national team and all I want is that we show a good football and a good show. That is why sometime I get really upset with Bob Bradley, don’t get me wrong BB is not a bad coach is just don’t have that style and something that is really missing on this team. Do you know what I mean.
—–Dempsey——Altidore——
———–Donovan———
Torres———————–Bradley
————-Clark————-
Bornstein–Gooch—DeMerit—Spector
———–Howard——————
I like Torres in there for his style of play against Spain. Depending on his defensive focus, we might be a bit exposed on the left, tho. But This formation gives us good linking possibilities on all sides.
Adu subs in for Dempsey.
I Also considered BENCHING Dempsey. Hopefully his goal and playing up top will be the motivation he needs for his style.
Feilhaber can sub in for Rico, with Bradley dropping back and Feilhaber going more forward mid.
Ives, I usually agree with you but this time I feel that you’re wrong. Bob does not need to try to outcoach himself and switch to a 4-3-3. It’s time to stick with the 4-4-2. It’s what we’re comfortable in and frankly, we’re pretty good at it. Let’s see how it goes.
I just think that Bob Bradley is being criticised for losing matches that not many American or European coaches have won. The Costa Rica match was one no American has won, Italy and Brazil…come on…..I know there were some bad decisions but he wasn’t exactly working with his best XI.
I understand BB has had some suspect choices(ESPECIALLY sitting on that final sub in the Brazil game) but he’s had a lot to deal with. Injuries to Hejduk, Ching, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, and suspensions to Howard( missed El Salvador) and Bradley( missed Honduras). The fact that the injured four weren’t in any of the group games didn’t exactly help Bradley.
I would like to see Dempsey not on the wing, I’m just not sure who else we could possibly put out there, w/out fear of some fatal miscue based on the fact that Adu and Feilhaber are not wingers by trade, and simply haven’t had enough playing time to be counted on at the wing against Spain for 90 minutes…
Dempsey makes me want to pull my hair out, but I think we are past the point in this tournament where we can be replacing him with guys who don’t really play the wing…
My greatest fear is that Bradley will look down his bench for a Dempsey sub, and see one wing player, and his name is Demarcus Beasley… sounds like the beginning to a really good horror movie, or comedy
I’m starting to get really tired and annoyed at these formation posts and the same usual questions.. Where everybody shows off their coaching savvy and their cute little diagrams with nicknames like gooch, dolo etc. Cut it out now!! It’s getting boring. Here’s my formation;
Gk; Balls
Defense; balls
Midfield ; balls
Forwards: balls
I want a formation like this on a consistent basis and not just against Egypt
The great teams in the history of this game know about this; Argentina Brazil Germany Etc. Now Spain is starting to learn this too
I say keep the same line-up from the Egypt victory. No sense replacing DeMerit with Bocanegra at this point: seems risky to Boca’s health and DeMerit has performed beyond expectations.
However, I think Dempsey should start only if he’s in a purely attacking role.
maybe if jose torres is on the field, spain will get confused and will pass it to him…
…
Xander Crews, amen brother.
If ain’t broken don’t fix it!
Keep it exactly how it was on Sunday. This team needs to build a consistent chemistry!
The USMNT is no longer in full on crisis mode but they do need to show us that they can play two good games in a row.
I’m sorry but I think you all are dreaming if you expect Bradley to play only 4 midfielders(or 3, Ives, you’re lost my man!).
The US is so clearly overmatched in the midfield that you simply MUST play with 5 in order to avoid being shredded.
If you were an international coach would you rather lose 1-0 or 2-0 by clogging the midfield or lose 4-1 or 5-1 but play more open?
Hello Angel,
Thanks for that erudite response. Not sure what it actually said but it sure seemed passionate. Glad ou enjoyed the joke.
Respectfully yours,
Whatagame
We all forget that the whole reason the US created chances last time against Spain is because Adu was running the show. He played some lovely soccer on that day, but of course for some odd reason he will never see the field tomorrow!
Posted by: Athan | June 23, 2009 at 09:12 AM
*******
Athan’s 100% right. We played Spain well last year in the first half when Adu was on the field. For those of you belittling Adu — did you or did you not see the Spain friendly last year?
Spain is so good on the ball — and thank God Iniesta is injured — that playing two D-mids and bunkering down just means it will take them a little longer to score. We cannot beat Spain if we simply hope to intercept their passes and make heroic tackles; we must increase the length and quality of our own possessions. Adu is a guy who can do that. One of the many pieces of evidence of that is…the last Spain friendly.
BTW: if Kljestan comes on in this game, at any time, BB is absolutely out of his mind. It will be like playing with ten men.
FF
Bob’s quote about why Dempsey remains in the game was something like “he provides flashes of brillance”. It’s interesting what’s not being said. Bob is agreeing here that Dempsey has been lazy and disappeared. It’s a subtle way of calling out Dempsey. Let’s hope Dempsey gets the message….
Ideally I would like to see Torres and Adu play but, I don’t think they start. I agree with BossTweed’s lineup with Davies, Adu, and Torres the likely subs for Altidore, Dempsey, and Feilhaber. I wouldn’t mind Sasha coming in possibly for Clark or Feilhaber but, I would rathre see Adu or Torres in this type of game.
Also, those who would not start Jozy, you are insane. He has the most experience in this lineup with Spanish style football and should match up well with the Spanish back line. The big problem for Jozy is getting on the same page with Lando and Duce. If/when that occurs, the US should be able to strech the field more and create better chances.
It’s interesting that we will probably ahve only 4 (or 5 if Boca starts) of the same starters as we did just one year ago.
The team BB started that played Spain 1-0 would have us all going bonkers today.
OK. I like Boss Tweed’s lineup a little more…
But with Guzan in goal.
I’m fine with a clogged central midfield, because Spain’s midfield is second to none (including Brazil). Let them play their short passing game and they’ll absolutely kills us. Xabi Alonso in particular is great at those perfectly weighted through-balls from distance, and our CBs are NOT quick enough to turn and run with Villa/Torres.
With Spain it’s really a “pick your poison” scenario. But if we can force the ball out wide and have their wingers cross it in, we at least have a chance b/c our CBs–Gooch especially–are so good in the air. Again, no guarantee that Torres won’t burn us anyway, but I think it gives us a better chance.
I just can’t agree with those posters who think we need more attackers. Our attackers are serviceable, but they’re not on the level of our opposition. While I wish the US was good enough to stop playing a counterattacking style, if ever a game called for it, this is it. The US needs to clog the middle and wait for chances to counter with our speed.
If we fall behind, THEN bring in Adu and Torres, but their defensive shortcomings will be exposed against a team like Spain. Same with Dempsey–he needs to sit unless we’re behind and have a chance to equalize late.
Here’s my lineup: Howard
Spector—Gooch—Demerit—Bornstein
————-Clark————
Feilhaber—————-Donovan
————Bradley———-
—Davies———–Altidore
with the idea that Spector’s crossing ability will let him make overlapping runs, allowing Feilhaber to tuck inside and distribute when we have possession (but Spector’s gotta be alert about getting back early). I hope the game has slowed down enough for Clark that he avoids another dumb late challenge, but his speed and range will allow him to cover for Spector and Feilhaber if they push up, and he can get out on a counterattack and shoot from distance.
Donovan can handle himself out left, but Bornstein MUST do a better job of getting out and covering overlapping runs on the flank (I thought he did poorly against Egypt, and if Boca’s healthy, I’d just as soon he get the start at LB). Davies gets the start for his speed on the counterattack.
Oh yeah, with El Guzano in Goal. Let’s give Timmay a break…
I think he’ll keep the lineup that scored goals in the middle of the game; that is:
—————Altidore—-Dempsey——————
—Donovan—Clark—-Bradley—–Feilhaber–
-Bornstein—Gooch—Demerit—–Spector—-
———————Howard—————————–
I’m not sold on Feilhaber being totally ineffective on the flank. He’s not a traditional winger that will beat people to the sticks and cross it, but neither is Dempsey. He’ll cut toward the middle of the field and play some good balls in the middle. Furthermore, I see his passing skills in tight spaces playing well with Spector on the flank who WILL run the sticks and cross it.
Well said Tolik. I also was a big Bradley fan. Other players need to get a chance. The EJ, Beasley & Sacha stuff really annoys me. But Adu, Torres can’t get 1/10 the chance these guys get. I do like Clark however. He needs to be bit faster, but I’d rather have him with Bradley on the field. The lineup I’d like to see:
——Davies——Altidore——–
Adu———————-Donovan–
——-Clark——–Bradley——–
Bornstein—Gooch—DeMerit—Spector
Dempsey can come on for Adu in the 2nd.
Whatagame,
are you freaking out your mind, The reason that European Coach had players that lit bit much better them Adu, and the USA don’t have any. I haven’t see a guy who is calm and technical than Adu. There are only few and those are Feilhaber, Donovan, Dempsey, Torres thats all.
Monaco would have probably been undefeated last year if Adu had played. And if they had snagged Torres on a transfer – Look Out!