It wasn’t likely that it would be granted, but the U.S. Men’s National Team gave it a shot.
With both Bobby Wood and Jermaine Jones suspended heading into the USMNT’s Copa America Centenario semifinal meeting against Argentina, U.S. Soccer’s attempt at appealing the bans has been denied.
U.S. Soccer revealed the decision via Twitter on Sunday evening.
The protest against the cards issued to Jermaine Jones & Bobby Wood has been dismissed. Neither eligible for #USAvARG
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) June 20, 2016
Jones was shown a straight red card in the 52nd minute of the team’s 2-1 win against Ecuador in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Colorado Rapids midfielder appeared to throw his left hand at Michael Arroyo’s face, prompting the sending off.
Wood was then ruled ineligible for the U.S.’ encounter with Argentina after picking up a yellow card a minute after Jones’ infraction. Additionally, Alejandro Bedoya will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation.
The U.S. will face Argentina on Tuesday night at NRG Stadium in Houston.
What do you think of the decision? How would you replace the suspended players in the USMNT lineup?
Share your thoughts below.
Cameron should slide into the 6, a position he’s played in the EPL against the likes of Man City. Bradley goes into the Jones spot. Nagbe for Bedoya. Pulisic (you know, the Dortmund player?) for Wood. Besler goes into central defense. That’s like-for-like everywhere. Everything else stays the same. Starting Zusi/Beckerman/bunkering is a bad idea. US needs to stretch the field and rely on Yedlin’s extra-level speed and Bradley’s high-press to cut down the counters.
There is no shame in losing to Argentina in a semifinal if that’s what happens. I say embrace the recent stylistic progress with real talent like Pulisic and Nagbe and let’s see what it can do. If we lose, so be it.
I like Pulisic and Nagbe too but starting them in their first game against Argentina in the semis might be overwhelming. I’m not going to be upset with any line up at this point but I think in this particular situation a sub role is the better option (especially for pulisic) assuming we can keep it close, which is likely what we will end up trying to do. As for Cameron in the 6,he could definitely play there, but our back line has been about as good as any in the tournament, (aside from a couple mistakes against ecuador, one reminiscent of portugal) breaking he and Brooks up isn’t a good Idea in my opinion. I would think you keep Besler on the left and slide FJ into the midfield, with Wood out we will need something extra and FJ is one who an provide that. But like I said I wouldn’t be mad if your idea came to fruition, just ready to watch!
If there is one thing we will need for this game- it is a solid central defense that is impeccable with positioning, marking. We’ll need Guzan to play out of his mind as well. Cameron, Brooks fronted by Bradley is a big part of what has worked in this run. Would be pretty foolish to mess with that.
I really think our chance to grind out a result in the match will come down to how the ref controls the game. If he allows a physical contest we have a chance to hang in there, if the whistle is blown with every single touch or dive It will be a long night. If we can’t knock them off the ball and frustrate them they’ll be able to dance around all night. We are due for a set piece goal, it would be a good time to take advantage of one.. or two.
Argentina is by no means a finesse team. They can grind and fight with the best in the world. Sure their offensive players like all skilled players when at a disadvantage go down. All you can ask for in officiating is a fair and accurate called match.
I would say Argentina is very much a finesse team… they can play physical as well but I don’t think there is any question a physical contest would be much more beneficial to the US than the opposite. If we can’t put a hand on them their likely to pick us apart with that skill and finesse. Fair officiating would be great, my question is will he fairly officiate a physical game or call everything? Hopefully the former.
Can’t wait to see one of our boys put a hard tackle into the tax cheat’s ankles. USA wins 2-1.
I’d rather see our boys play with controlled and smart aggression. But hey, that’s just me.
Not sure why people think nagbe and pulisic will make their first starts against argentina in a semi-final…..
beckerman replaces jones, zusi replaces bedoya, and wondo fills in for wood….definitely not quality but should be able to hang in the first half….
if johnson is moved to left wing, besler is the lb, zusi on the wing, zardes on top with dempsey
again, not sexy but could work for the first half….
JK has gone with experience…neither nagbe nor pulisic have the experience…I’m not saying they will never have, its just that they don’t have it now….i’m not a jk lover either but for this tournament he has been doing better…wish he had coached more sensibly the last 2 years because i’m sure we would have had better results…..
let’s see what happens….(crossing fingers)
My guess is klinsman stays with the 4-4-2 with Beckerman comming in for jones, zusi for bedoya and either nag be or pulisic at the other midfield spot with zardes moving to forward. I don’t particularly like that idea as Beckerman won’t be able to cut it defensively and MB is not as good forward on the pitch compared to the back.
If it were up to me I’d go back to a 4-3-3 with Dempsey zardes and pulisic your forward 3, with nagbe, zusi and Bradley in the midfield.
PLease do not put Beckerman in to stop Messi. He does not have the speed to keep up with Messi. Put Zardes up top with Nagbe in for Jones and Zusi in for Bedoya. Beckerman is a good player in MLS and off the bench to help plug up holes as a sub when we are up but not to start against a team with Argentina’s speed.
If Beckerman starts instead of Nagbe’s and Bradley gets pushed forward, it will undo the most important bit of tactical progress of JK’s tenure.
Why doesn’t anyone think he’ll put Pulisic up top with Beckerman the designated Messi-Kicker? Argentina is not strong on Defense, so playing direct will be key. Also, I can’t see FabJo being moved from left back… not against an attack like Argentina’s. Not unless we are down a goal and moving to 3 in the back to try and pull one back.
If Beckerman starts he will subbed at halftime. Argentina plays way to fast in the middle and wings for Beckermans clutching, grabbing, and ankle chips. Although, It wouldn’t surprise me if JK starts Beckerman and tries to manage the game to 0-0 halftime.
If Nabge plays next to Bradley his defensive chops will be tested to a whole new level. However, Nagbe can be the outlet the US has never had when out skilled on the ball. Zardes will need to be a ball winner as the target guy. The second balls is where Jones and Bediya will be missed. The hustle play where those two really make a difference. Especially considering how hard Argentina works with the ball and to get it back.
It could be interesting with Nagbe and Johnson actually running at Argentina on the left lnking up with Clint.
I agree that becks only lasts 45 mins… but you need someone to kick messi for a while and get a yellow card… then get subbed off and Bradley goes off to shadow messi and he then has 1 yellow to give. Then you bring on Nagbe to play a more forward role as bradley is out of the game due to shadowing duty. It’s naiive to just run out there with offense against Argentina, they can easily put 3 in on you in the first 30 minutes if you aren’t careful.
The other thing is that Argentina is not a pressing team like Chile or Ecuador, they can, but they have a more relaxed style. So I think we will have the space to play out of the back. The problem is really with getting hit on counters or mistakes in MF. They will eat us alive if we are throwing the ball away in transition… maybe that is why you start Nagbe instead of Beckerman… but then Bradley will have to have the defensive game of his life.
I think we’ll see Beckerman for Jones, Zusi for Bedoya and maybe Nagbe up top. I pray JK doesnt think Wondo is the answer. We would have zero shots
And now it becomes obvious what a wasted pick Wondo was for this tournament. We need a frowarde and Morris would have been a 100% better choice right now. JK’s lack of a plan B has hurt us again, just as it did in the WC when Jozy went down and we had no plan B.
Hindsight is always the best way to make decisions.
You literally can’t go wrong using hindsight
Oh look Rob is back – he got over the Chile game surprisingly quickly.
Awe, look who it is. Must have missed our last few convos. P.R.E.dictable.
“Hindsight is always the best way to make decisions.
You literally can’t go wrong using hindsight”
Solid contribution by the way. You really know your stuff.
I hate when people argue against a point just because of who said it. The pick of Wondo over Morris is a matter of preference. Wondo is a consistent professional scorer who has produced for the national team. Morris is a beginning pro who has been up and down in his one pro season that had a great goal against Mexico and has done nothing for the national team since. Proven quantity vs large upside. Too many people judge Wondo based on his shank at the WC, it was one play that was going to be ruled offside anyway.
Buster,….let it go already. If Michael Bradley controls that ball in midfield against Portugal, JK rests 6-8 players against Germany and our chances against Belgium would have been vastly improved.
JK is the coach,…and he sees things you don’t. Get over it.
Zardes is Plan B.
The U.S. player pool should be big enough to cover for these losses,…albeit big ones.
This is silly – people are allowed to criticize the coach. I think this has been a successful tournament as long as we don’t get embarrassed tomorrow but JK is still fair game to reasonable critiques like Buster’s.
I think JK sees Wondo as a backup for Dempsey in case of injury, or as a late sub if chasing a goal, which to me is perfectly reasonable. I don’t subscribe to all the Wondo hate. I agree that Zardes is likely to move up and fill the target striker role to start the game, and FJ moves up to his spot in midfield. Nagbe, Yedlin, and Zusi to fill in for the suspended starters from last game.
Johnson,Clint and gyasi as defenders? I guess threat could work but I doubt it will.
I expect a 433
F.johnson – Clint – Gyasi
Nagbe – Zusi
Bradley
Besler – Cameron – Brooks – Yedlin
Jk will want to control the midfield so 3 Mids with Bradley in his preferred role
With Yedlin back and Besler doing so well, F.Johnson moves to a mid / wide forward role
Nagbe in for possession
Zusi is passable as a Nedoya replacement
Pusilic in if we are chasing a goal / need possession but can’t figure out who to take off
I too think this is the lineup and formation we will see, and probably need to see, if we have any chance of advancing…..what’s also a bonus with this setup is that it has the ability to change into a 4-4-2, which we have done to great effect throughout this Copa!
No panacea available for the talent gap- but I hope this is what we see. Not necessarily what I expect though…. for a guy who speaks of going for it- JK has a tendency to put together stale/conservative line-ups w/ knowns even if they are mediocre knowns over potential. Perhaps having reached his goal- playing w/ house money he will be more willing to let it fly a bit.
Wood will be the most missed in my opinion but JJ’s grit and big game experience can’t be understated either. Bedoya is the easier to replace, though his efforts are always a sight to applaud, so I think we’ll see Nagbe and Zusi replace in the midfield. Not sure what JK has planned for the forward position but if the past is any indication Dempsey need not be put up top alone.
We all knew that this was the likely outcome. While they will be missed we’ll have to see what the next in line can contribute. Hopefully they’ll show that they are up for the challenge and help move this team forward.
To be honest, I was a little surprised they challenged it… it kind of takes away from the next guy up mentality that JK was preaching all tournament. he didn’t challenge Yedlin’s… or any of the others… but no one can take JJ or Wood’s place? Not like JK and I wonder if it will have an effect on the guys who now have to step in and do a job. And even if you don’t think in your mind that you can win with who is left… you never let that show… doublethink above all!
I actually thought that the appeal of the Woods card might be upheld. If you remember, Jones was shown a red, along with Valencia. The referee incorrectly allowed play to be restarted while Jones was still on the field. that was when Wood got his yellow. If play had incorrectly been restarted, Woods could not have received his yellow.
not quite the way the rule works, because you can receive a yellow when play is stopped… for example corner kicks… or free kicks… or dissent. So it would have been a real slap in the face for the ref to have this overturned… given that it was his mistake. Plus, I feel like Jones wasn’t off the field because he was being petulant… so they probably didn’t want to reward the US for Jones’ petulance… now, this ref should also get docked a couple grand for doing a pretty terrible job… but dem’s de breaks.
Turk;
You can get a yellow card when play is stopped, but that is not why Woods received his yellow. He received it for a tackle on the opposing player that the referee deemed reckless. That is normally a foul, which only takes place during active play.
yeah… so is pushing during a corner… but if you are pushing in the box prior to a corner… while play is stopped… the ref can still give you a card.
BTW, I agree with you, it should be rescinded… I am just playing devil’s advocate here and saying that I would have been very surprised if it did get rescinded.
To be expected, you see cards rescinded in league play (especially MLS this season it seems like), but I can’t remember it happening in International play.
Get ready to throw your beers, fellas…
…down your throats. Could be a long night.
Already started. In part, a celebration of Mexico’s destruction and the other awaiting our own destruction by Argentina. I am being a little over the top from the USA perspective, as we can certainly win, but we have to be absolutely perfect.
I’m expecting JK to go more defensive now that we are without 3 of our starters.
————–Dempsey————-
Zardes——-Nagbe———-Zusi
——-Bradley—–Beckerman—-
FJ—-Brooks—Cameron—Orozco
—————Guzan—————–
Perhaps, we keep Besler at LB and then the lineup could look like this:
—————Dempsey—————
Zardes——–Nagbe————–FJ
——–Bradley——Beckerman—-
Besler–Brooks–Cameron–Orozco
—————–Guzan——————
Just kidding. Forgot Yedlin is back. So, no Orozco. Now it is just a matter of keeping FJ at LB or moving him to midfield and putting Besler at LB.