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Who should the USMNT start vs. El Salvador?

USAvsSpain (ISIphotos.com)

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team's crucial World Cup qualifier vs. El Salvador is just four days away and it is time to start thinking about the starting lineup head coach Bob Bradley will turn to in what is shaping up to be a must-win game in the tight CONCACAF qualifying race.

Defensive standout Oguchi Onyewu is out due to yellow cards, meaning the defense will need some adjusting, but Bradley will also have to consider the options in midfield and at forward, where a disappointing performance against Mexico last month might have him considering a few different possibilities.

At forward, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore and Brian Ching vie for two slots, though Clint Dempsey could also be considered. In midfield, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley and Dempsey are safe bets, leaving Ricardo Clark's central midfield spot a position we could see Benny Feilhaber or even Kyle Beckerman occupy on Saturday.

So what lineups could we see Bob Bradley go with? Here is one possibility:

—————–Charlie Davies———-Brian Ching——————

Landon Donovan—————————————Clint Dempsey

——————Michael Bradley——Benny Feilhaber————–

Jonathan Spector———————————–Steve Cherundolo

——————Carlos Bocanegra——Jay DeMerit——————

———————————-Tim Howard—————————-

So why this group?

I know Ching's inclusion will garner the most questions, but I'll make this one disclaimer: If Jozy Altidore is fit to start, he should start. There are still some concerns over Altidore's match fitness, and with the match being played at altitude, having him start might not be the best decision. You'll recall how effective he was coming off the bench against El Salvador in San Salvador. That sort of role may work best for him here if he's still not fit enough to start, though his form in England certainly makes him starting a possibility, even if he's someone who can only give you 60 minutes at altitude.

If Altidore's still not 90-minute fit, then Ching gets the nod, and while he didn't have a good game against Mexico, he's still a veteran holding forward who helps create chances for others and draws fouls.

One player who will definitely start is Charlie Davies, who is on fire in France and is coming off his one-goal effort vs. Mexico. With the way he's playing, it's tough not to see him scoring at least once against El Salvador.

In a game where the Americans will look to put the pressure on the visitors' defense early, Feilhaber is the better bet instead of Clark, in central midfield. Feilhaber has been on fine form with AGF Aarhus and his creativity should open things up for the quartet of Davies-Ching-Donovan-Dempsey.

One other midfield possibility would be to have Stuart Holden get the nod on the right flank, with Dempsey moving up top. Holden's probably still a more likely option off the bench, but if Bradley liked the energy he saw from Holden on the wing (something Dempsey hasn't always delivered), and if he wants to see what Dempsey can do with a full game at forward, we just might see this variation (which is actually the one I would go with if Altidore couldn't start).

In the back you have Spector at left back, which might seem like a bit of an experiment but Spector has been playing left back for West Ham in recent weeks, which could give Bradley enough confidence in him to use him there. If not, Jonathan Bornstein will get the nod, with Bradley needing to decide between Cherundolo and Spector at right back.

Central defense is set, with Bocanegra and DeMerit getting the nod.

——–

What lineup would you like to see the USA use vs. El Salvador? Hoping for a Davies-Altidore tandem up top? Want to see Stuart Holden get a start? Like the idea of Feilhaber getting the nod?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “Interesting about the high frequency of Torres-love on here. Is it just that he is a lesser known commodity. He has started 60% of Pachuca’s games, had a couple of other sub appearances, and is serviceable. He was OK when he played with the Nats, shaky with his possession, not physical enough, but showed skill. But to recommend him as a starter on the national team seems a bit naive. I hope he improves, starts playing 90 minutes for Pachuca more often, gets stronger. But he’s still pretty green, a lot like Holden, and isn’t really not there yet.-Note: I’m a big fan of the kid’s. It’s not dislike.- Mig”

    Mig,

    In the US, among NFL fans, everybody loves the backup QB. Why? Because they see the occasional flashes from him and assume it will translate into full time. Meanwhile you see all the flaws of the starter and the grass is obviously greener. Hence all the love for players who are largely unproven i.e. Torres, Adu, all those guys who play in the lower English leagues or in the reserves, etc.

    Part of this is because the US talent pool is just not very deep. Look at all the players Argentina and Brazil can afford to discard. They’d all walk right into the US team. Meanwhile, the US has to win games. When I compare the professional resumes of the US players to other teams, I consider it a miracle the US does as well as it does.

    Not long ago everyone was madly in love with Heath Pearce. Everyone was blasting Bradley for playing his favorite Bornstein over Heath. After a few games Pearce is now as popular as swine flu. Torres is now flavor of the month. There will be a few new ones soon, just wait.

    Reply
  2. clevlrocks wrote:

    “I wish US soccer fans were as critical with the USMNT as they are with their favorite NFL or College football team. If that were the case, we would be ranked top 5 in the world.”

    I wouldn’t wish the Houston NFL fans on my worst enemy much less the USMNT. With that level of negativity, the USSF would probably disaband.

    Reply
  3. ——–Altidore–Davies———-
    ——–Dempsey—-Donovan——–
    ————Feilhaber————-
    Castillo——————-Spector
    —–Boca—Oneywu—Demerit——

    Posted by: jpc | September 01, 2009 at 03:25 PM

    jpc, I like this idea with the exception that I feel like it leaves us a bit defensively exposed. If I’m following you, you’re looking for Castillo and Spector to play more as wingbacks? I like the idea, but Feilhaber in the middle I think leaves us a bit exposed on defense with a lot of space between Benny and our centerbacks.

    Reply
  4. How about this line up….

    Davies—Altidore

    Donovan—Bradley—Torres—Holden

    Spector—Bocanegra—Demerit—Cherundolo

    Now, obvious reasons why davies and jozy should start have already been mentioned. Donovan has been playing with much more intensity in both National and MLS games. Bradley has been in a slump, but with such a great work rate, its hard to see him not starting. Although it would be nice to see feilhaber in the middle. Next, Torres hasnt got the time he deserves for being just a composed and creative player in the midfield. I just dont think clark is what we need initially in this game. maybe bring him on for fresh legs if were up. I could agree with feilhaber instead of torres too. and then holden over dempsey because i feel that he does not work hard enough for the national team consistantly. Most of you might say…well he scores when we need him to and is always there to make the big plays. I would agree with that, but he also wastes 60-70 mins on the field doing absolutely nothing, losing the ball in the middle of the park, not tracking back, and not creating nearly enough for other players as a player of his caliber should. There are few options we have with onyewu gone, but bornstein could be a choice of bradleys because of his recovery speed, due to the capable counter attack el salvador posses.

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  5. CT:
    I agree that are youth systems are starting to improve. But my point was that we do have creative players. The current system Bradley uses does not showcase the full potential of our national team.

    I know the USMNT can string together passes and create goal scoring opportunities in that way. However, like any good player, most of the national team will play how they are told to play. Bradley says lets play bunker ball and hope for a counter or two, so that is what they do (if they want to play).

    This will work against lesser teams, and sometimes a 1 in 100 chance against world class opponents (Spain). But if we really want to be successful as a soccer playing nation. We need to be known for more than just playing with a big heart. Other teams have just as much heart plus the technical side of the game that lets you dictate pace. Once we gain that then I can honestly say we deserve our FIFA ranking.

    So, what I am saying is that Bradley coaches with caution. With this we can scratch our way into the WC. But we will go 3 and out unless Bradley starts to use his players and stop making them robots in a system.

    By the way. Is anyone else fed up with all the positive commentary surrounding US soccer. It seems when we do well all is praised. When we do bad all is praised. To me US soccer is like a communist country. From the top to the bottom everyone is only allowed to express a pre approved consensus on how the administration performed. The team never gets beat. They always did what they were suppose to, but did not achieve a positive outcome.

    I wish US soccer fans were as critical with the USMNT as they are with their favorite NFL or College football team. If that were the case, we would be ranked top 5 in the world.

    Reply
  6. clevlrocks:

    I disagree with the notion that the lack of creative players is attributable to Bradley and Gulati. Unfortunately, they get the players after the die is cast. But I think things are changing. The USSF is getting more involved in the youth program and I think the MLS youth academies are going to start producing good players for the national team.

    I just finished a 10+ year career as a youth soccer coach as my youngest is now off to college. In just that period of time, the quality of training for the kids has improved immensely.

    I think there is hope for the future. Though I hope it happens much sooner, I think that by the time the WC returns to the USA (2022?) the USMNT should be in position to have a realistic shot at winning the the WC.

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  7. I dare think the best combo in 2010 might be Jones and Gringo Torres. Those clamoring for him to play (other than recognizing his Pachuca contribution) realize that everything changes when you can string together 2/3 short lateral passes in the mid field..and this is what Torres does. In those 5 seconds the defense re-organizes and the forwards make runs.

    I did not see Ching hold up the ball in Azteca. I saw him have a heavy first touch and give a couple of fouls. In that game we could have really used a hold it up target. For this game.. we don’t need a target. We need to take it to them.

    If Bradley chooses Bornstein (MLS) over EPL starter and Bundesliga starter.. I will yell at him again..

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  8. It should be the same exact players you have in that picture except Cherundolo for Onyewu obviously, and maybe Feilhaber for Clark

    Reply
  9. CT
    I think your idea of Torres as a swan in a group of ducks might be a little too far fetched. However, I know what you are trying to explain and agree with underlying simile. Though, i think it is more important to focus on why we lack more creative players. This I feel lies on BB and Gulati’s shoulders. The players we have are talented and can play creative soccer when told to do so(like they do with their clubs). It is the typical USA is better attitude that prevents our soccer system from maturing. American soccer insists on being big (in size) and direct with the ball (very few connecting passes). So, I think the question that needs to be asked as well as answered is…Do we see other national and or club teams implementing the American style of soccer? No. Why? Well I think that answer is obvious.

    Reply
  10. No question about it, Davies and Altidore get the nod up top, however, if Jozy’s not 100% (which I have my doubts about), I like the idea of having Dempsey up top in his place. Mids would be Donovan, Feilhaber,Bradley, and I’d like to see Holden start (with Torres as a sub). Torres definitely needs to get some playing time with the MNT. On defense, keep Boca and Demerit as CBs, with Spector at LB, and Cherundolo on RB (although I’m not big on how he plays, he’s the default).

    On a separate note, I’d really like to see US fans come in big numbers to these matches, especially when playing at home. I know we’re a nation made up of people from all over the world, but man, let’s show some love to the US MNT. I was fortunate enough to be at Azteca (not in the US section), and hung the American flag (albeit, it was probably barely seen with the below corner section so close behind), but felt damn proud (probably similar sentiments opposing fans feel when hanging their flags at US home matches). The heart and passion just indescribable. I know some of you are out there, just hope we can get more fans to this point.

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  11. Tom v is correct that Boy Bradley makes too many mistakes, but since he has to play I would move him up and replace Dempsey who is just too lazy for my taste. I would bring in Torres and Benny to go along with Donovan and Bradley as my midfield. When the US has played poorly it is because the midfield does not control the ball or distribute well and is out of position on defense (I’m thinking of Dempsey who is off the TV screen and Bradley who is fouling someone to set up a free kick). Ching can hold the ball and pairs well with Davies. Ives back four is perfectly fine.

    Reply
  12. Interesting about the high frequency of Torres-love on here. Is it just that he is a lesser known commodity. He has started 60% of Pachuca’s games, had a couple of other sub appearances, and is serviceable. He was OK when he played with the Nats, shaky with his possession, not physical enough, but showed skill. But to recommend him as a starter on the national team seems a bit naive. I hope he improves, starts playing 90 minutes for Pachuca more often, gets stronger. But he’s still pretty green, a lot like Holden, and isn’t really not there yet.

    Note: I’m a big fan of the kid’s. It’s not dislike.

    Reply
  13. any body know the strenghts and weaknesses of El Salvador? No one has mentioned how the US matches up and how we can use our players to take advantage of their weaknesses and protect against their strengths.

    Reply
  14. G in Humboldt,

    I agree that in the formation that I present the lack of a truly gifted #10 is a problem; however, I think that is a problem in every formation, especially a 4-4-2, b/c if Benny (assuming he’s even playing) is having a poor game, its over, MB is not that guy, and from what I understand of Jermaine Jones he is just a more experienced version of MB. I think having Demps, Donovan, and Feilhaber all play a more central central role in a 3-2-3-2 gives you more options at who is playing in that #10 role in any given game, in case one is having a poor game…

    In honesty I think the biggest weakness we would have in a 3-2-3-2 formation isn’t the central guys, its whether or not our Wing Backs are really the type of guys that can do that type of running for 90 minutes reliably. And I don’t think that answer is possible w/out trying.

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  15. First off, I am glad to see our fearless leader get stuck in. Ives, thank you!

    The next great debate that needs a full airing is the outside backs situation. Bocanegra and Cherundolo are Bob’s historical/SA2010 cycle choices. But, I think Spector should start, period. No ifs, ands, or buts. Big question is, IMHO, which side – Left or Right. If you bench Dolo, fine. But I am still not sure that Boca is good enough at LB, epscially vs WC teams. So if you go with Dolo and Spector (he’ll be fine at LB…he’s there plenty in EPL), you are approaching the seriously ugly memory of France 98….Somewhere between a draw at Azteca (our only point ever) and March/April 98, Sampson and Harkes had it out, Harkes was out, the locker room spirit died, and we were the worst team in FRA 98. Our GER 06 team was poor, but not this bad.

    So, the dilemma is this. Is the Captain a lock? If Bob sees the need, could be bench his Captain and navigate the locker room, keep it focused, engaged, on his side?

    Big caveat: if Spector or Dolo are injured, then our D on the flanks will suck anyhow…..we are very thin here. Bornstein, uh, spare me. Castillo, don’t know enuff…and who knows if the powers that be even grant him his (& our wish).

    Reply
  16. —Davies———Altidore
    ———-Dempsey———
    –Donovan———Feilhaber
    ———-Bradley———-
    Spektor———–Cherundolo
    —–Bocanegra–DeMerit—-
    ———-Howard———-

    This will allow Bradley, Donovan and Feilhaber to force a defensive line when needed, but also allow us to make chances going forward. We need to take it to El Salvador, and this will let us do it. This setup allows Dempsey to have a wide ranging role, the full width of the pitch to be creative, without a great need for him to defend — which he doesn’t do anyway. It also puts him a bit closer to the position he has been playing recently for Fulham.

    Reply
  17. Ives, I like your lineup, with the exception of Jozy starting for Ching.

    It’s a must win match, let’s go with our best players. I’d rather have Jozy for 60 and Ching for 30 than the reverse.

    Reply
  18. I THINK ITS apparant that all the players who went through MLS or are in MLS right now are players who get multiple chances and or call-ups while the players who went the European development route dont get squat(even if the euro-way players are better)….as if bradleys somebodys muppet.

    lets take a look………….players from the MLS route(bob’s picks)= Kjlestan,Califf,Ching,Casey,Corales, Parkhurst,Goodsen,Bornstein

    Now the Euro-devoloped/ or Mexican league developed players

    who dont get any chances or it took forever for them to get chances even though they were always better or could be better if given a chance…..= Demerit,Spector,orozco, Charlie Davies, Torres,Jemal Johnson, Jeremiah White, Zak Whitbread….

    The Agenda is obvious.

    Reply
  19. If you look at certain players Bob Bradley selects: Klestjan, Beasley, Bornstein- players that he coached at a club level. People say its playing favorites, but what it is is selecting people who understand what he wants from his players from a philisophical standpoint.

    Michael Bradley has lived the majority of his life under those circumstances. I can’t imagine there would be many, if any people who have a greater awareness of Michael’s strengths and weaknesses as a player than BB.

    And re: Hiddink, I know he is a good coach. BUT, If you look at the qualifying campaign, Russia qualified as much because England were really poor as Russia was really good.

    Then, at the tournament, they got destroyed twice by Spain, who Bob Bradley just beat (yes, I know its a different level of competition between Euros and Confed Cup). His big win was against the Netherlands, a country where he had considerable success as a club coach and national team coach, and understood the style of play and types of players the country produced, allowing him to gameplan them very well.

    He took the host country in 2002 to the semis, in a rare world cup (to that point) out of Europe or South America, which was an oddity for most of the favorites.

    (Having said all that, of course I would take him as manager of the US.)

    Reply
  20. Yossarian:

    You think Bob Bradley has done a “fantastic job.” I think he has done a thoroughly mediocre job. Both of us know the constraints Bradley works under — scheduling, player pool, etcetera — so we are just going to have to disagree.

    My point is not that we should hire Bora today. Nowhere did I suggest that Bora’s teams deliver aesthetic football. Nor did I suggest that we could somehow prize Hiddink away from Russia in the near term — although I have had a back and forth correspondence with Sunil in which I promised Sunil flowers if Hiddink arrives in 2011.

    My point is simple. It goes like this:

    World class coaches get teams to over-achieve. Bob Bradley is not a world class coach — he is a mediocrity. His team is not impressing in qualifying and is unlikely to impress in South Africa. We deserve better.

    You think the team is playing well. The Confederations Cup was a great success. But in the main, I disagree. I don’t think the team has played particularly well under Bob Bradley.

    In particular, I don’t think the tactics, squad selection, or substitutions have been good enough.

    The details have been covered before: Davies only gets a chance when injury to Ching forces Bradley’s hand; Bradley plays Beasley and Kljestan when it should be apparent they do not belong on the field; Spector and Demerit get their breaks also principally because Bradley’s preferred players are hurt. Gringo Torres is repeatedly passed over — despite his excellent form last season for Pachuca and his rare qualities as an American who can pass the ball in tight quarters.

    I appreciate your comments — really. You don’t think I am being realistic. I think that mediocre coaching is not acceptable and that you are letting Bradley off easy.

    At the end of the day, we both support the team.

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  21. Tim from Texas:

    Think back to the other times in the last 2 or 3 years where the USMNT used 1 forward – in almost all cases it’s been awful and a formation that is unable to score at all. One of my great reliefs the last year or so is that the US has pretty consistently used two forwards. In my opinion we’d be much better off with a 3-5-2 than a 4-5-1 (but the 3-5-2 would be a complete failure if we were counting on Deuce tracking back and playing defense).

    Blokhin:

    Historically, when the US has been overwhelmed in the midfield using a 4-4-2 the answer is not to put in another MF – that approach cannot score any goals. Instead, the key has been for the forwards to track back and reinforce the MFs. Unfortunately, Jozy/Cooper/Casey don’t do that nearly as well Ching. Over the last few months the US MF has frequently needed the help. Think about it – how many times have you seen Jozy/Cooper make anything more than a token challenge in the US defensive half. The US is not good enough to have 1 or 2 cherry pickers waiting for the MF to bring them the ball.

    If you plan to throw the Mexico game in my face to refute my statement, keep in mind that the entire US MF was mostly playing within 10-15 yards of the 18 yd line – way too deep. That’s why Mexico had so much possession – they were using 5-6 players againt two in the 65-70 yards space from the Mexican goal. Had I been BB in that game I would have kicked MB and RC in the ass and told them to quit sitting in the defense’s lap and get out and make Mexico’s possession more difficult.

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  22. WOW…. so we shouldn’t start our best two forwards because after US scores (the forward’s primary job), US tends to give up those leads (the defenders primary job)? really?

    though it helps to have a forward playing defense, out of the ten outfield players, they are the last two who are expected to carry the burden of defensive play, their job is to SCORE and to constantly threaten the opposing defense- pretty basic soccer facts to me…

    your suggestion of starting Ching for this reason is akin to cutting off your own nose to spite your face…

    Getting a lead is a good thing, therefore the forwards who give us the best chance to get that lead should start…

    Then, 70 or 80 minutes in, we can bring in Ching to “hold-up play” or “win headers” or whatever it is that he does, outside of being a constant theat to score, which is what most forwards in most soccer teams around the world do….

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  23. ————Ching——-Davies————-

    Donovan—————————–Dempsey

    ———Bradley————-Feilhaber—-

    —–Spector—————-Cherundulo—–

    ————-Bocanegra-Demerit————

    ——————-Howard——————

    Then post subs

    ————-Davies—-Altidore————

    Donovan———–Dempsey————Holden

    —————–Bradley—Clark———–

    ——Bornstein————–Spector——-

    ————-Bocanegra-Demerit————

    ——————-Howard——————

    just my strange little plan

    Reply
  24. why should Brian Ching replace the forwards who started during our best attacking soccer stretch in memory?

    Posted by: Blokhin | September 01, 2009 at 03:30 PM

    Because they’re also the two forwards who started during our worst defensive game since the Copa America.

    We’ve only been able to hold the lead in half the games Charlie scores in. One of the games in which we couldn’t hold the lead was against Trinidad and Tobago which I suppose is excusable considering it was our B+ Team at best. Both games in which he scored and held the lead were against teams we SHOULD be beating anyways: Grenada and Egypt( although they were on a DAMN good run of form). The fact of the matter is, we sacrifice too much defensively against better teams with Charlie on the field, and the main reason I would have him and Ching starting is because we need someone to help a little defensively. Ching is a lot smarter on the ball than Charlie is and doesn’t lose possession easily, which is a relief for a defense that could use any help it can get with Onyewu gone.

    Altidore and Davies might work for CONCACAF teams at home but we need more than that if we’re going to get anywhere. Scoring goals means nothing if we can’t hold a lead, especially a two goal lead; even if it is Brazil.

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  25. JOZY DEMPSEY

    LANDON BRADLEY TORRES HOLDEN

    SPECTOR BOCA JAY CHERUND

    HOWARD

    Bring Davies on to replace Duece at the half at the earliest.. Ridiculous that Cooper contnues to behind Ching…cannot wait to see what Jones and Castillo bring to the table. and YES TORRES!!!! The most technical player in the camp and he doesn”t ever see the pitch??? FIRE BB

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  26. jpc,

    Interesting formation. I kind of like it.

    I think it has a problem in that we would need a very strong #10 in the middle with excellent ball control and passing ability to connect the back to the front and who would slow down opponents play down the middle. I don’t think Benny is ready for that yet. Maybe Jones when he’s available?

    Reply
  27. Why is it necessary to always start two forwards? I’d rather have another midfielder on the field then Brian Ching, which is what probably should be employed, given the fact its arguably are deepest position. Good tacticians should know how to diversify their strategy.

    I wonder if we’ll soon be seeing an Eddie Johnson call up. I’m curious what an Eddie Johnson – Charlie Davies combo would look like. This is something I’d hope to see soon after we qualify.

    Also, call ups for Jemal Johnson, Jeremiah White, Edgar Castillo, Jermaine Jones and Mikkel Diskerud

    Reply
  28. All the Torres lovers overlook an important fact: Playing in Mexico, Torres is accustomed to a style of play that is different from the prevailing USMNT style. As witnessed in Azteca, the Mexicans like to bounce the ball around a lot (seemingly endlessly) and then suddenly either strike with a through ball to a cutting runner or blast a shot unexpectedly.

    With the exception Torres, the USMNT has no players who play that style. Like it or not, the US style is more direct and physical and is really developing a reliance on quick counter attacks. Torres is like a swan at a duck convention and I think Bradley has realized Torres is mismatched with the other players. To me, that explains his lack of playing time in crunch matches.

    Playing the 1 swan with 9 ducks doesn’t convert the ducks into swans, it makes the swan irrelevant.

    Reply
  29. Just to piss everyone off, BB should clone Ching and post the following lineup:

    ———–Ching—-Ching————

    Ching—————————Ching

    ————Ching—-Ching———–

    Ching—————————Ching

    ———–Ching—-Ching————

    —————-Ching—————-

    Reply
  30. YES, Altidore over Ching OR the variation that puts Holden out wide, Dempsey up top, and NO Ching. Our talent is just too good for Ching to start right now. Yes to Feilhaber over Ricardo Clark, and Yes to Spector at left back!
    jejejeje

    Reply
  31. While Jozy didn’t start against Wolves, he did play the full 90 in their Carling Cup game on Tuesday. Plus, you must admit, International games aren’t played at the same pace as EPL games. Based on the fact that we need to score goals, I think it’s Jozy and Charlie up top.

    One interesting approach, and the only way I see Holden starting, would be to put Dempsey in midfield, at the top of a diamond with Bradley behind him, in front of the back four. Dempsey drifts to the middle when he plays wing anyway while both Donovan and Holden are capable of staying wide and being effective out there. IMO, this would be a dangerous attacking formation.

    Still, I expect Ives’ lineup with Jozy instead of Ching.

    Reply
  32. We don’t know who the best central midfielders are because Michael Bradley always gets the nod.

    Torres got 1 half in Costa Rica. Then, BB puts his boy Kljestan in his place. I don’t think we have seen Torres since.

    If Torres was given the same opportunity to develop as MB has been given, I think our best MF would be Torres. He is a far more technical player who is comfortable with the ball on his feet.

    Everytime I watch him play, I want more. But, Bob keeps taking him away.

    The kid plays in Mexico, yet he is not out on the field against the guys he plays against week in and week out. Chances are, he also knows how to play in the altitude. But no, Bob will not play him. He puts Holden in instead.

    If you wanted possession in central midfield during the Mexico game, it seems you should have put the player that knows how to hold onto the ball and buy time.

    We don’t need that kind of player, we have Michael Bradley.

    Reply
  33. crazy strategy suggestion…

    ATTACK!!!!!!

    this is a home game and a must win! If we cannot control a home game, at altitude, vs el salvador, we don’t deserve to make it to South Africa.

    also I’m traveling all the way out there and i want to see some goals.

    Reply
  34. I’d go with this:

    —–Davies – Jozy—–

    –LD—Bradley—Benny—Deuce–

    –Boca—DeMerit—Marshall—Spector–

    Figure Holden subs in around 60th for Jozy and Deuce goes up top.

    If Boca’s going to be the guy at LB, this is a chance to see if Marshall is for real.

    Reply
  35. I don’t agree that MB is in a “poor run of form,” but for the sake of argument let’s assume he is.

    So what?

    Who are you going to put in his place? Who has his workrate, defensive bite, and ability to put himself in the right spot going forward? Not to mention, in many ways, he is the heart and soul of the team.

    I don’t give a rat’s ass if he gets a questionable card here and there— it’s the inevitable byproduct of playing like his life depends on the outcome of the game (and that’s what American soccer is all about).

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  36. I’d ask Bradley one question: “at what point this summer did the U.S. play its best attacking soccer?”

    The answer better be: “vs Egypt, vs Spain and vs Brazil in the CC final”

    Guess who started at forward for us in those games? Altidore-Davies

    USNMT attack was just fine with Jozy giving his all for 60-70 minutes before being repalce by Feilhaber…

    Reply
  37. – I would like to propose a lineup going forward, b/c I’m not sure our teams talents are really ideal for a 4-4-2. Please feel free to rip it to shreds.

    ——–Altidore–Davies———-
    ——–Dempsey—-Donovan——–
    ————Feilhaber————-
    Castillo——————-Spector
    —–Boca—Oneywu—Demerit——

    – For me, part of the idea in this lineup is realizing that Boca has N0 offensive ability at Left Back, BUT he’s probably too important to leave on the bench. This allows our 3 CB’s to play exclusively on defense. We have 3 talented CB’s, lets utilize them
    – it also allows our wing backs, Spector and hopefully Castillo to play more offensively, which is honestly more their strengths when compared to defense, especially Castillo. This formation requires them to cover a lot of ground, which I think both can do, as they regularly like getting forward playing as fullbacks currently. Spector is very smart and supplies great crosses and through balls, and needs to be included more offensively. Castillo by his own recognition is really a winger, rather than a wing back, but the few times I’ve seen him he looks really talented offensively. Ditto w/ Bornstein and especially Wynne, who are better going forward and covering ground than they are as technical/tactical defenders.
    – in the midfield I think it gives more touches to our 3 most creative players, Donovan, Dempsey, and Feilhaber. they need to be involved in EVERY offensive possession.
    – Michael Bradley? I think he could be an excellent wing back, as he covers a ton of ground, or be the first sub for either donovan or Dempsey. The fact that I don’t have him starting isn’t an indication of how I think of him, b/c I think he’s fantastic, and there will be time for him every game, depending on what is needed. He’s a luxury to have as a multi-dimensional player
    – JF Torres? He and Feilhaber should be fighting it out in my opinion to see who starts? whether we play the 3-2-3-2 here, or a 4-4-2, one of these guys needs to start. We cannot continue to play w/ 2 DCM’s like we have been, it may prove to give us the odd result against a Spain, but in the long run we need to be more progressive in our soccer, and that means playing w/ at most 1 Defensive midfielder. If we are as ambitious as the USSF tells us, then our style of play must also be ambitious

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  38. ————–Ching—-Davies————–

    Donovan—————————–Dempsey

    ————Bradley—-Feilhaber———–

    Bornstein—————————Spector

    ———–Bocanegra—-DeMerit————

    ——————-Howard——————

    After subs…

    —————Ching—-Altidore———–

    Torres————Feilhaber———-Holden

    ——————-Bradley—————–

    Bornstein—————————Spector

    ————Bocanegra—-DeMerit———–

    ——————–Howard—————–

    Why didn’t you mention Jose Francisco Torres, Ives? He’s on form, fit, and getting minutes. I don’t expect him to start over Feilhaber and Clark( or Beckerman for that matter) but considering the aforementioned and how well he did in a substitute role the last time against El Salvador, I don’t really see how he doesn’t get some sort of playing time between now and Trinidad and Tobago. Even if we’re losing, Torres has been with the USA in that kind of situation, against the same team.

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  39. Dlovell: I think it’s certainly an interesting debate. USMNT has had its greatest success with 2 holding mids, so I suspect we’ll see both MB and JJ together at the start, softening up the opposition with crunching tackles and BF/Stu/Torres off the bench. That has been a prolific strategy. Eventually, I’d like to see more of a #10 type paired more extensively with a holding mid, but BB does not trust those players yet defensively. MB is still very young, and he’s shown an impressive nose for goal as well as decent distribution, so he’s definitely capable of providing some offensive capability, esp if he keeps developing. I wouldn’t write him off as a pure holding mid just yet, though I certainly see your point.

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  40. ———-Howard————

    DOLO—JaYD–Boca—-Spector

    ——Bradley—Torres——

    ——Dempsey—Donovan

    —Altidore——Davies—–

    I think Dolo gets the start ans Spec to the left. I dont think Bradley trusts Bornstien too much. In light of gooch missing out…Boca gets the stopper duties.

    Midfield posession will be key to this match as the two teams like to sit and wait for a counter. So both teams will be trying to pull each other out of their respective halves. I have a feeling that a crafty MF will be inserted. Not certain if its torres or Benny. Benny has been getting more minutes as of late so my gut feeling is with Bradley opting for Benny.

    The point is going to josi and davies…no explenation necessary.

    I see Holden and ching coming on as subs with maybe a 3rd sub going to rico

    F-Bob.

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  41. Ching will start b.c. Bradley wants to go with experience and a guy who can run all night. As Ives has said, Altidore does not seem to be match fit. Who would you rather having coming on in the 65th minute to run at a tried El Salvador defense, Jozy or Ching?

    Bradley is a nice young player with talent but as someone else said he does not truly fill either role in CM. He is not good enough on the ball to possess and not good enough to cover the field as the sole holding mid. The U.S. best technical combo in the middle will be Jermaine Jones and Benny Fielhaber/Gringo Torres in South Afria. But one of those guys will not start b.c. of Bradley Jr. and that is a shame IMO.

    As far as the line up goes, and I am Ching/Dynamo fan:

    ——-Altidore—-Davies———–

    Landon—-Bradley–Clark——Dempsey

    Spector – Demerit–Bocanegra – Dolo

    ———–howard——————

    Subs:

    60th – Holden for Jozy (Dempsey moves to FWD)

    70th – Ching for Davies

    75th – Torres for Clark if we are behind, Torres for Bradley in we are ahead.

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  42. BBFL,

    You said: “But, for my money, Bora made our squad better than the sum of the parts. Similarly, Guus H. did something special with Australia and South Korea. And while the jury is out, Capello seems on course do something Stevie MacLaren could not — with the same raw material.”

    Bora is a stopgap extraordinaire, not a make a run at winning the World Cup type coach. He’s also not about playing attractive football, any more than BB is. He does whatever it takes to get his team to the WC. Do you really think the 1990 team played more attractive football than the current one? Bora’s star is also on the wane as he is 66 years old and failed in all his recent stints at Honduras, Jamaica, and Al-Sadd. He’s just not an attractive option at this point.

    The other guys you mention: Hiddink and Capello would never come here. They make far more money than we’d ever pay and they’d demand more power than Gulati (I suspect) would ever permit. Any truly world-class coach would demand to run the show and I don’t think Sunil would ever allow that to happen.

    I think your barbs directed at BB are grossly misplaced. Considering his talent pool and the limitations he’s under with the absurd US scheduling, rules, and developmental system, I think the man’s done a fantastic job. Yell at Sunil Gulati if you’d like, but I can’t see how BB deserves much flack, here. I was against him at the start, but the team is playing well, scoring during the run of play and playing a dangerous, counter-attacking style that has beaten some teams that we never, historically speaking, have challenged before. I just don’t think you’re being realistic.

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