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My take on the US Roster against Mexico (and the lineup I see playing)

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                                                                     Photo by ISI Photos
The best way to describe the U.S. national team roster chosen by Bob Bradley for Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico is to call it an exciting look at the future.

Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore have all been called in, joining Maurice Edu in a group that should be the nucleus of the U.S. Olympic team and the U.S. national team for years to come. Bradley is ready to test the youngsters against the toughest opponent in the region.

You may not even realize it but none of those four youngsters has played in a US-Mexico senior national team match before. Bradley missed the Gold Cup final with a red card and the others weren’t a major part of the U.S. squad before the fall.

Will all four start? I know most fans wish they would, but I think Bob Bradley will maintain his patience with Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu. Here is the lineup I could see him using on Wednesday:

USA Starting XI vs. Mexico:

——————–Dempsey———————

Convey————Bradley————-Donovan

—————Edu———Clark—————–

Pearce——Bocanegra—Onyewu——–Moor

——————–Howard———————-

BENCH: Guzan, Robinson, Parkhurst, Corrales, Adu, Noonan, Altidore

So who am I NOT sold on? I would go with Drew Moor as the selection I’m not so sure about. He is the lone natural right back in this group but I wonder if Bob Bradley will slide someone into that role from central defense. The problem is that side of the field is where Andres Guardado will be terrorizing, which is why I can see Donovan being used out there in what would be a great battle. It wouldn’t shock me at all if a Parkhurst wound up at right back. As some of you may know already, Guardado will miss the match due to injury, which could have an interest effect on the U.S. team’s strategy (and I have a feeling it factored into Bradley’s roster decisions).

You’re wondering about that 4-5-1 aren’t you? Some folks would prefer Adu in Bradley’s spot and Bradley deeper. I think coach Bradley will use that trio to stifle Mexico’s key figures, Giovani Dos Santos and Pavel Pardo, while also keying the counterattack. Michael Bradley plays a two-way role for Heerenveen and has been lighting it up in Holland so I think he’s ready for a more advanced role in the attack.

So why not play Donovan in Bradley’s role, Dempsey in Donovan’s role and Altidore up top? Well, I don’t think Dempsey’s suited for the defensive work that it will take to deal with Guardado, and you want Dempsey as close to goal as possible. If anything, I can see Dempsey in Bradley’s spot. That may actually be the best lineup, assuming coach Bradley were ready to led Altidore start.

This would certainly be an exciting starting XI I wouldn’t mind seeing:

——————–Altidore———————

Convey————Dempsey————-Donovan

—————Edu———Bradley—————–

Pearce——Bocanegra—Onyewu——–Moor

——————–Howard———————-

BENCH: Guzan, Robinson, Parkhurst, Corrales, Clark, Adu, Noonan

I think you could see this early in the second half if Bradley doesn’t start with it.

And Adu? I don’t see him starting but I see him definitely getting second-half minutes. I still think don’t think he’s ready to be a starter but he’s still dangerous enough to make an impact as a sub.

What starting lineup would you like to see against Mexico? Share your suggestions below.

Comments

  1. Best XI:

    Altidore and Dempsey up top. Convey and Donovan wide with Bradley and Clark in the middle. Left to right – Pearce, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Parkhurst. Howard between the sticks. Bench; Adu, Noonan, Edu, Moor, Robinson, Feilhaber and Guzan.

    Reply
  2. Who owns Mexico better than Eddie Lewis, the goal in Mexico City, the assist to Lando in the World Cup. The guy needs to be on the field!!!

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  3. I just wanted to say that I’ve always hated on American soccer becuase of the fact that they play weaker teams from the concacaf (not including Mexico) but honestly, I can not wait until the world cup in 2010, I believe the U.S is going to make noice, with Johnson Altidore, Donovan, and all the other young players developing, man it’s going to be nice to see them! Cant wait.

    Reply
  4. your second line-up nails it, with freddy and rico (and others) on in the second half.

    ———————–Altidore———————

    Convey————Dempsey————-Donovan

    —————–Edu———Bradley—————–

    Pearce——Bocanegra—Onyewu——–Moor

    ————————Howard———————-

    Reply
  5. DMEE, don’t forget, Gooch’s partner in the backline won’t even be getting on the field for Fulham in their run from relegation. Nothing like a 6’3 stiff and a gel haired benchwarmer to clamp down the backline.

    Parkhurst for Centerback ’08

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  6. 1st sub at Half: Adu for Convey, Slide Deuce outside.

    2nd at 60′: Edu replace Clark at D Mid. Clark off for Moor at RB

    3rd at ?: Boca replaces Gooch after a good physical yellow card to slow down attack and bring disarray to El Tri’s attack (read: One good thuggish foul). Bring on Pearce at LB. Swap Boca and Parkhurst.

    “Nats”: 4
    “El Tri”: 1

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  7. Freddy Adu should start in this game to grow and gel with the starters. Chemistry is very important for a team with so many young players, and I think Adu’s game can really feed off the other players (i.e. Donovan, Dempsey).

    Reply
  8. —————Jozy————–

    Convey——–Deuce——-Donovan

    ——–Clark—–Bradley——–

    Boca—Parkhurst—Gooch——Edu

    ————–Howard————-

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  9. Does anyone know why Jay Demerit id not in the US squad? American Soccer Daily has reported that Demerit missed Watford’s game this weekend because he “flew to the US early for his call-up.”

    Reply
  10. I’m most interested in who plays right back and left back.

    Is Cherundulo injured? If not, I wonder why he wasn’t called in for this match.

    I also hope that Szetela gets called in for USMNT sometime soon. I guess he needs more playing time.

    Reply
  11. ————Altidore————-
    Dempsey——-Adu———Donovan
    ——–Clark—–Bradley——–
    Pearce—Boca—-Gooch——-Moor
    ————–Howard————-

    i’d give bradley the freedom to get involved w/the attack. also, i wonder if edu can play right back. he played cb w/the u23’s so he is versitile.

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  12. BigWave, Bradley has been playing as a straight up 2-way center mid for Heerenveen this season. From what little I’ve seen, he’s been a good playmaker for them. Ives, I’d love your second lineup, though I’d look for Edu to be the dedicated d-mid while Bradley roams.

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  13. I don’t agree with Bradley in the playmaker role. He’s been scoring goals from the dmid position all season long. This justifies starting him at dmid, not playmaker! Moreover, Donovan plays better as a withdrawn forward or a playmaker, not at wing. However, there no seem to be any natural right sided midfielders here: Convey, Lewis and Davis are left-sided. Holden played Davis role as a left-sided mid, while Davis was injured, so maybe Donovan will start on the right side. Finally, Dempsey has stated numerous times that he is most comfortable as a withdrawn forward and I believe him. Since Clark is also dangerous at the dmid position (at least at MLS level), then here’s my proposed 451 starting lineup:
    ——————–Altidore———————
    ——————–Dempsey———————-
    Convey————————————Donovan
    —————Clark———Bradley—————–

    Pearce——Bocanegra—Onyewu——–Moor

    ——————–Howard———————-

    Reply
  14. While I do love experimentation I’m also a firm believer that the best player should play his best position. Until Donovan retires I’m going to always want to see him playing that attacking role just behind two strikers. It’s where he’s best, and he’s our best player (for now). Dempsey is so much more versatile, it makes so much more sense to move him around where needed and just leave Lando alone.

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  15. I have a bad feeling we’re going to see Noonan and Corrales in this game and no Adu 🙁

    I’d really like to see Bob go all the way and give significant minutes to Edu, Adu, Bradley and Altidore. Start to get a mojo working for 2009 Confederations and eventually the Cup.

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  16. I don’t think there’s any chance of that, Craig. Bob wants four backs even though you have two defensive midfielders in there.
    Guardado or not, Bradley wants to make sure the team defends the flank and also put some pressure on offense with the outside backs make overlapping runs upfield.

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  17. Is there any chance USA will look to a 3-5-2?

    ————-Howard—————
    —Parkhurst–Onyewu–Bocanegra—–
    ———Clark——Edu————
    ————Bradley—————-
    –Donovan—————–Convey–
    ——Dempsey—-Altidore———-

    Or is BB focused on a 4-man back?

    Reply
  18. I like that 2nd potential lineup with Dempsey playing behind the foward. He’s a natural attacking midfielder who shouldn’t have to wait for the ball because he is a playmaker and creator with the ball. Also, the ongoing experiment with Donovan out wide is looking more appealing with his ability to pass. The Edu/Bradley midfield looks a little better then others. Edu is young but is a bigger physical presence then Clark.

    Reply

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