With their ticket to the Gold Cup Final on Saturday booked, the U.S. men's national team can now focus on Mexico and selecting the team that will knock off their arch rival when the sides meet at the Rose Bowl.
Bob Bradley has not been afraid to shake things up, as we've seen by his decisions to sit Landon Donovan for two straight matches. As tough as it may sound, Bradley's decisions on selecting a lineup to face Mexico aren't all that difficult.
The defense is set, having recorded three straight shutouts since Bradley shofted Carlos Bocanegra to centerback and started Eric Lichaj. Things get a bit more interesting in midfield, but given the performances delivered on Wednesday night against Panama, the squad for the final seems like an easier one to predict.
So who will Bradley start? Here is the lineup we see taking on Mexico:
Some thoughts:
Landon Donovan will NOT be coming off the bench against Mexico. Donovan is a big-game player, a renowned Mexico killer, and Sacha Kljestan's disappointing showing against Panama makes the decision even easier.
Alejandro Bedoya has shown far too much energy and attacking quality to not start against Mexico. With him and Donovan on the wings, The United States has the pace to match up well against Mexico.
Juan Agudelo did more than enough to remain the starting striker in the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Freddy Adu was outstanding as a substitute against Panama, but nobody should be expecting him to start. He's perfectly suited for his sub role now, and gives Bradley a good attacking option off the bench. That's something the team needs even more now that Jozy Altidore is out for the tournament.
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What do you think of this squad? is it the lineup you would like to see against Mexico? Think this team can beat Mexico?
Share your thoughts below.
well put. the only thing that has me feeling good about this matchup is that Mexico played most all of their top players for 120 mins yesterday vs. a solid Honduras team and another close game before that.
that said they are playing very well right now, while the US is grinding out 1-0 results.
all in all its going to be a big day for the “new” players; Lichaj, Agudelo and Bedoya. We need to see excellent performances out of these guys to keep with Mexico.
Donovan should have an edge against Dos Santos because he is a grown man and Dos Santos is still a young woman.
That is the lineup. Any other alternative is ridiculous
MONO but able to play because it is no longer contagious
Yeah, Jones, Bradley, Kljestan, etc., etc., will definitely never give the ball away.
that hair line is deceiving.
i hope your joking! okay Adu had a great stint off the bench, including one great long pass to an open donovan, but you really think he is ready to start vs. Mexico??? slow down there. if bedoya can’t crack it by the 70′ il give Adu a shot.
I see your point, but I don’t really buy the whole ‘save him for the important game’ idea if its the semifinals of our 2nd (not including Confed Cup) tournament. There was ABSOLUTELY ZERO guarantee that we could beat Panama, and Bradley would be taking SERIOUS flack if Panama went up a goal on us before Donovan came in for 45.
You may be right, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Donovan pissed BB off or something. Did you guys notice how Deuce was giving him mad props after the goal? I don’t think it was solely for the assist. I get the impression that his position has been in limbo due to a combination of not-to-expectation performances this tournament + some external factor we are not aware of (and I don’t think its an injury).
Your point about his freshness vs. Mexico is well-noted, though; it will help having a fresh Lando, but you’d be hard-pressed to convince me that this was foresight by BB.
Dude, more like ‘my first twelver.’ Or my first b-load. That’s just a mess of wolf tickets. It’s not time to put ol’ Landon out to pasture just yet, folks.
Lol. Fear the Adu! He used to date JoJo!
Your lineup looks perfect, Ives. I cannot wait!!
No announcement that I heard. Not sure you would want to broadcast an injury to one of your top players three days before the beginning of a tournament if you didn’t have to. But, yes, speculation.
I have serious doubts about the placement at the time of Dempsey’s goal.
Also, keep in mind that Mexico has yet to beat the US with this core group of guys outside of the mile-high, smog-suffocating Azteca. Little Pea is scary but I think the US has the key to beating Mexico.
Wow, the Adu love has gotten over-the-top. He had some nice moments but he also had a couple of bad giveaways. Against an experienced and talented Mexico team you can’t give the ball away. I don’t think Adu comes in unless the US is behind in the 2nd half. If they have the lead or tied BB will likely use only defensive-minded subs.
It is always easier to keep a cool head when you are winning.
Holden is not a center defensive mid. He’s more of an attacking mid. I wouldn’t want him patrolling the back of the midfield.
We’ve been winning so we haven’t been beating on him but Michael Bradley really hasn’t done much other than to justify his mediocre professional career and club playing time. Edu looked poor but so would most of us in a 10 minute audition. Think about Jones / Holden in the future!!!
Agreed, if you’re not playing the counter-attacking style of the 4-4-2, no need to have the speedster up top. Use Deuce, who can hold it up pretty well and use attacking minded mids (like Adu) behind him.
Is it only obvious to me that you should start Adu in the center attacking mid role. Put Clint on the left, Landon on the right and Agudelo up top. Or you could put Dempsey up top and Bedoya on the left, but Adu NEEDS to be on the field in the attacking mid field role. The guy is so dangerous with the ball at his feet going straight at the goal.
Jones looked Really tired at the end…Exausted…
Maybe its because Bradley was getting his stroll on while Jones was left to cover most of the midfield.
3-2-1…you are on the clock Jones Haters…GO!
No way Adu can play in the 4-2-3-1. it would be way better as
adu, adu
adu,adu,adu,adu
adu,adu,adu,adu
adu
Agudelo hasn’t done anything to warrant a start. Sure, I’m not a fan of Kjlestan and he had a poor outing last match, but I’d be startign Deuce up top (every time, in every formation truth be known) and put Kjlestan in to Dempsey’s MF place at the expense of Agudelo.
But that;’s just me and hey, I wouldn’t have started Donovan on the bench either. If you advocated that move you’re talking out your arse.
Obviously. But if Stuart comes back today, Bedoya is the one sitting down.
The beauty of this lineup is that no subs are necessary.
Adu in for bedoya????
I really like Adu; this is a hilarious comment. I think he earned a starting spot. I can’t see the pressure being any higher than the pressure last night, and I think Adu would do well starting. It would certainly give Mexico problems because it would be surprising and essentially a line-up that Mexico hasn’t faced. At least, Adu can use his right foot which Dos Santos cannot.
In fairness to Jeremy, these boards were full of claims that Mexico will continue to pile up 5-0 wins for the rest of the tournament and that the US does not stand a chance. And Mexico’s 5-0 victories at the group stage mean nothing, when Mexico has to face the US in the finals. What might play a bigger role in the final, however, is that Mexico was unable to put away Honduras in the regulation time and had to play 120 minutes with the next game coming up on Saturday. I agree with you that Mexico should not be taken lightly, but let’s not act as if they are Spain, Brazil or Argentina. They are beatable. It should be a good final to watch.
I have slowly moved to the anti-Bradley camp. He is not up to WC coaching tactically.
Panama’s plan was excellent. They flooded the sides making it difficult to go down the flanks. The remedy is to move the ball rapidly side to side but the D, especially Goodson, was very slow with the ball. That allowed Panama to reset and rest.
Howard also makes poor decisions with the ball. He handed possession back to Panama numerous times.
The US is not a naturally creative team. It needs strong tactical coaching. It’s not like we have Michael Jordan out there with Dean Smith keeping him under 20/game.
Bradley’s personnel development is very good and Michael Bradley is a strong and consistent player. But Bob is not creative and cannot game plan as effectively as the coaches he is matched against. The US should make a change.
Edu has his shirt on at the end of the match, so I think BB was going to sub out Jones but didn’t get the chance. The Panamanians wasted time effectively towards the end with their whining and flopping around near the penalty box. So, no need I guess.
I would agree with the line up. As long as Bob doesn’t do anything stupid, you have to start Landon. Hes a play maker and a 90 minute type player. Only thing I think may be up for grabs is the Bedoya spot. Only Bobby knows.
Good points Felix but some of Mexico’s players looked gassed after last night, almost everyone. Marquez looked like he needed a mask. The U.S. players look much better in that respect. And only having played 25 min. against Jamaica and 45 min. against Panama, Donovan will have fresh legs to go all out in one game. It should be a good game, but I see the U.S. wining a thriller, 1-0 or 2-0, maybe 2-1.
haha actually “josh” did when he listed his gag lineup
That will never happen again, Marquez, especially in this Gold Cup has shown a lot of composure and has kept a cool head. Would be nice, but it won’t happen!
Gotta believe Elliot was joking around a bit…
Frank, the team is playing better than at the start of the tournament, while Mexico’s play has regressed. You can bash Jamaica all you want, but it took Mexico 120 minutes to beat Honduras, the team that finished behind Jamaica in their group. And Honduras had a chance to win it at the end of the regulation. It should be a good final.
And you went and blew it
Why are they looking “mighty” mortal? WHY???
1. As a tournament progresses it takes a huge physical toll! Teams get tired, especially flying the enormous distances you fly in the US.
2. Teams get their tactics figured out, find out how to nullify important players! etc
3. Mexico has scored eighteen times and received two goals!!!
4. US scored seven times and received two goals!
5. Chicharito has 7 goals, De Nigris 4…Dempsey 3!
6. Mexico beat Honduras 2-0, hit the post twice and Giovani missed a chance at the 85th minute that was almost worse than Dempseys the other day! Right after Dos miss Honduras had theitr only clear chance which no doubt would’ve been if not for an excellent upper 90 save by their keeper. In what way is that looking mortal?
7. The ‘Catrachos’ like nothing more than to beat Mexico. They live for it, even more than Landon Donovan, so they’re always going to play much better and rise to the occasion against them!
Dismiss Mexico and kiss the Cup goodbye!
I agree. This is the most likely starting line up. You have to start Donovan against Mexico.
I actually called it as one of the possibilities on these boards. It was logical to start the same players that did so well against Jamaica, while at the same time strengthening the bench and saving Donovan’s legs for the match against Mexico. It was risky but it worked. Donovan went 45 minutes and Dos Santos,for example, went 120 minutes against Honduras. If they have to go at each other, with such a short turnaround, Donovan should have an edge by being fresh.
Adu
Adu Adu Adu
Adu Adu
Adu Adu Adu Adu
Adu
20 minutes without mention of Ream on USMNT post. new record
That’s a scary game plan. My feeling every time I watch the Yanks play is that if we can make it through the first 20 minutes without conceding, we’ll probably win. Based on what you said, the first 20 minutes will be HUGE in this final.
Good lineup. I wonder if Bob was surprised when Klejstan’s decent game against Jamaica wasn’t followed by a stellar performance vs. Panama.
What would really be great is if Holden was healthy and was playing in the middle with Clint on the outside. I’m still pissed about that tackle that hurt him. That would be the ideal lineup.
I think the back four have played really well especially Goodson, who I didn’t know was this good. He’s also really good in the air. Lichaj could be the answer at LB if he develops his left foot.
I’m really looking forward to the game Saturday…
Just when I thought the “SBI Insane Group Opinion” had reached its peak (BTW, this was the “sit Bradley, he’s not playing for club” argument pre-GC)…the “Landon is past his prime and better suited for the bench” argument surfaces. This is so insane it makes no sense to outline why its insane. Just show some self awareness for your insaneness, get some help, and watch LD slay Mexico, like always does and will do for about ~3+ more years from now.
I agree that Bob was holding the last sub as an ace in the hole. Good ‘strategery’, IMO. In regards to the minutes stacking up for many of our starters, this is definitely a concern. But, it’s also affecting our opponent. Two things that ease my mind slightly: 1) the fact that el Tri played an extra 30 minutes last night & 2) Mexico’s roster has 5 players that originally didn’t make the cut. So, I think we may have the depth advantage and the fatigue advantage.
Hitting a stride? Beating Jamaica and barely getting thru an undermanned Panama is not hitting stride to me. Mexico is definitely the better team right now but anything can happen.
Exactly my thoughts.
Interesting to hear about all this Donovan speculation on ESPN radio. Anyone else listen to the HERD? It’s nice to hear the USMNT get some serious air time and hear Colin go off about his love/hate relationship with the team. Anyway, it was very interesting to hear A. Hopkins mention that it could be a fatigue issue, a tactical issue or (the wild card) maybe something to do with him taking off for the wedding….
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Of course no Wondolousy