Tonight is the night. The U.S. Under-23 men’s national team can clinch a place in the Olympic Games with a win against Canada. The Americans have a healthy squad and have all hands on deck now that Jonathan Spector has joined the team.
The only question remaining now is who will Peter Nowak start? Will he keep Jozy Altidore as a lone striker and use a five-man midfield? Will he unveil a two-forward attack? Will use Kamani Hill or Marvell Wynne at right back? Will it be Nathan Sturgis or Hunter Freeman at left back? Who will the center backs be?
Here is the starting XI I see Nowak using:
———————–Altidore————————-
Gaven——————Adu——————–Holden
——————Edu———McCarty——————
Sturgis———Spector—–Orozco————–Hill
————————Seitz—————————
Yes folks, I changed my mind and replaced Zizzo with McCarty. I think it’s the safer play and the one Nowak goes with. If I were picking the XI I go with Zizzo wide right and Holden in the middle.
You may not the 4-5-1 formation, I can see Adu floating higher and Holden floating into the atack more so there could be a 4-4-2 feel to it, but that won’t be the case of someone other than Holden gets the call in central midfield.
The only other lineup variation I can see is Zizzo on the right wing with Holden sliding in next to Edu (I would have bet the ranch on Sacha Kljestan coming into the tournament but his past two matches have been disappointing).
Michael Orozco gets the nod next to Jonathan Spector, ahead of Patrick Ianni and Nathan Sturgis in central defense. He has been extremely solid. And while I know Sturgis isn’t a natural left back, neither is Hunter Freeman. I know there’s been some thought about putting Spector at left back but that isn’t happening. Spector is the team’s best central defender and will be key to stopping Canada’s star striker, Will Johnson.
Now it’s your turn. What starting XI would you trot out in Nashville tonight? Share your thoughts below
I like ives’ personnel, but based on performance so far, Davies would be in place of Altidore (at least he’s created scoring chances).
Zizzo’s done nothing to deserve a spot. Klejstan at least as been hot and cold, so I expect to see him sub in if we need a goal.
Glad to see Freeman out and Findlay as well. And Wynne too.
eric- another reason why i enjoy Hill… personally i think he adds alot to the offense while being back on defense… while he may not be the most defensively sound player, i’ve only seen him mess up once (the high kick outside the box against Cuba)…
Wynne played in game 2 (maybe 1). He was very good at marauding down the right flank with the ball and dribbling past 2 guys before being tackled by the 3rd guy or making a crappy pass.
can i ask a question has Marvell wynne played at all in this tournament
eric-dynamo- clubs have a financial hold over the player. If the friendly/game not on a FIFA date the club reserves the choice to not allow them off… its not choosing club over country…
think about it this way… you want a day off, but have no vacation days left… and since its not a holiday (fifa date) your company reserves the right to deny you to take the day off…
——–Altidore—-Davies——–
—————-Adu—————
Gaven———————–Holden
—————Edu—————-
Sturgis———————–Hill
———Spector—Orozco———
————–Seitz—————
Is there anywhere i can watch this game online?
Ives, your lineup is spot-on. I would prefer to see Holden alongside Edu in the middle and Zizzo on the right side of midfield. Holden covers ground better than McCarty, offers a more dangerous option going forward, connects as well as, although he does not have the same defensive prowess. The result; a more dangerous US attack without losing much on the defensive side.
makes sense, but kinda sounds like club over national team…
eric-dynamo- his team wasnt required to allow him to play in the qualifiers… especially with them being in a europe race with the top of their league, i didnt see them wanting to release one of (if not the) leading scorers of their team
i hope this isnt a stupid question, but why isnt bradley on this team?
@Brian H,
I strongly suggest downloading TVU Player. Once you download it, run it and click on the Sports tab in the player. Then click “soccer” channel. It should be FSC 🙂
Hope that helps.
id like to see this….
———-Altidore——–
———Adu————–
———-Sacha———–
—holden——-Zizzo—–
———–Edu————
Sturgis–Orozco–Spector–Hill
———-Seitz———–
This to me is the best line up, i think we need to keep the U20’s sort of formation. I love Adu and Altidore teaming up, up top, thats a completely talented tandem. i know sacha hasnt played well, but he still has it, hes a lovely passer when hes on and i think hes a great playmaker. i would say holden and gavin are toss ups, but i have been impressed with holden in this tourney. Zizzo on the right is a no brainer, hes got pace and skill that is very intreguging. Edu is perfect for this role as the holding midfielder, i expect him to do very well. On the back line, i can see sturgis and hill getting forward often on the wings, while spector and orozco will stop what comes at them.
This is the line-up I would like to see though I think Nowak will stay with the Altidore alone up top.
——-Altidore–Davies——
————–Adu————-
Gaven——————-Holden
————–Edu————-
Sturgis–Spector–Orozco–Wynne
————–Seitz————
If this was the line up I would say US wins 3-0. But Nowak will stay with his usual line-up and US will only win 1-0.
——altidore——–
——–adu———–
Gaven————Zizzo
—Spector—Edu——
Sturgis/Ianni/Orozco/Wynne
– Gaven looks very impressive, this coupled w/ his second half showing last year, I really hope his career is about to take off like we all expected 2/3 years ago
– Adu is also playing very well, he has been playing well for Benfica (although in limited minutes) and always seems to be on the cusp of scoring an amazing goal, I think one is on the way, but I’ll do for any goal
– I really like wynne on the right, always the best athlete on the field, he’s a beast, and he’s a smart player too, which makes up for his still developing skills
– Orozco is new to me, but very solid
– I like spector in the holding midfield role, he’s solid defensively, and is much better at holdup play than anyone else on the team, probably on the full national team as well, as he has shown at West Ham
– Edu continues to be somewhat of a dissapointment to me, I think he is great for toronto, but I don’t think the defensive midfield spot suits him well, he seems to make a lot of silly passes that get broken up. I think he’s suited for a more attack minded role. W/ that said I still have him at defensive midfield
– Zizzo is very exciting, as is altidore
No more Davies until the boy grows a sack. I know he drew a penal, but he has to learn to stay on his feet.
Aren’t we all just happy to have these options.
To me, Italy won WC 2006 due to the scrappy, dogged play of Gattuso. (A rich man’s Ben Olsen). Holden is our Gattuso, and he has to start.
SBI, I am fired up for this one!!!
By the way, when do you we to start talking about lineups for next summer’s (2009) Confederations Cup in South Africa? Which of tonight’s starters with be in the First XI in South Africa?
Teams already in:
Italy – World Cup Champs
Brazil – Copa America Champs
USA – Gold Cup Champs
Egypt – African Champs
Iraq – Asian Champs
South Afica – Hosts
Plus the winner of Euro 2008
eric, if you play with 3 forwards (2 plus adu), you’re not going to have true wingers, particularly in a must win game. i think ives is right and that altidore will be the lone striker, but i think that we would play better with a second striker. in what i’ve seen of the games, we haven’t gotten much service from the wings anyways. why not put your three most dangerous guys closer to the goal with a compact 3-man midfield behind them?
id like to see this
———-Altidore———-
————Adu————-
Holden——————Zizzo
——-Edu——McCarty——
Sturgi–Orozco–Spector–Wynne
———Seitz—————
Angel- why bradley our right??
altho this brings me to an idea id like to see in maybe a friendly or something.. id like to see bradley as an attacking mid.. it seems to me thats more along the lines of his role with his club, why not try to utilize more of his offensive ability.. i know alot of his goals come from finishing by getting him into the attack rather then rely on him playing a defensive role and distributor…
@Mike:
Holden is right footed, but last season he played the left wing when Brad Davis went out, and had a few monster games. He’s also known to play on the right wing, and would play the attacking midfielder spot if DeRo, Mullan, or Davis weren’t so damn good at it (I actually like Holden there when DeRo is unavailable over Mullan or Davis, but Holden crosses well from anywhere on the field so pushing Mullan in and putting Holden on the right wing works fine. I like Davis on the left when he’s healty)
Ives, your right you were about the only one not to give the nod to Davies.
I wish Nowak would run a 4-4-2. It is clear why, our offense has been pathetic. 3 goals in 3 games, 2 of those being pk’s. And I think they could easily adjust right back to a 4-4-2 since thats what most of them play at their respective clubs.
ives- i never thought to look at it that way. McCarty in the middle would be taking a safe route (while pushing holden out wide). I agree Holden looks dangerous in the center, while dax seems more like a transition player (pushing the ball from one side to the other). Zizzo could offer flair, assuming he could last the whole of the 90 min. So perhaps they’d start with zizzo our right and holden in the middle then bring dax in later and push holden out wide??
who’s our other natural RM besides zizzo??
Brett, I think you see Adu pushed up more, almost as a withdrawn forward, rather than having an actual second forward. The central midfield battle is key and having Edu-Holden in there is the best way to win that battle.
I think Davies and Zizzo are destined for second-half sub roles, though I would love to see Zizzo play a full 90 with Altidore. I think he could get a few crosses to the big forward.
I Can see Using this formation, is the one I like to play in my Playstation FIFA World Cup 06.
————-Adu——–Altidore———–
——————Holden——————-
Gaven———————————Zizzo
——————–Edu——————–
Sturgis—–Spector——Orozco——-Wynne
——————-Seitz——————-
I’m with you Rob C. I think the have to attack and put pressure from the beginning. Please Stop playing so much with the goal keeper and play foward not back. ATTACK and lets go to the Olympic.
hopefully we can use same formation at the olympic but with different names since we are able to take three players older then 23yrs old.
————-Adu——–Altidore———–
——————Donovan——————
Gaven——————————-Bradley
——————–Edu——————–
Bornstein—–Spector—–Orozco——Wynne
——————-Seitz——————-
—————Davies——–Altidore——————-
Gaven——————Adu———————–Zizzo
——————Edu———McCarty——————
——–Sturgis——-Spector——-Orozco———-
Don’t think it’d fly (especially in this squad) but if we find ourselves getting no attacking traction in midfield without being burnt on defense, replacing Hill (or Sturgis) with Dax would allow Edu to push the ball forward more, and hopefully give us more control in midfield… which given Adu’s talents could greatly impact the game.
the problem i have with the 2 forwards is we havent played that way yet. What makes people think Nowak will change it now??
Nowak is going to look to try to build up through the midfield and look for Jozy on the check back.. then create chances through the flanks, allowing altidore to push up then with adu.. Problem is i dont see that as playing to our advantage
i agree we need the 2nd forward, so im really hoping Adu is playing more of a withdrawn forward, but he needs to be up there to pull some defense of Altidore
Is Holden left or right footed and where does he play for Houston?
I’m not giving Davies the nod Spencer, I think people are getting too caught up in the PKs he drew in the Honduras match.
I think Zizzo wide right and Holden in the middle gives the U.S. team it’s best attacking lineup. McCarty for Zizzo is a safer play but I liked what I saw from Holden centrally.
—-Davies—-Altidore–
Holden—Adu—-Edu—-Zizzo
Sturgis—Spector—Orzoco—Freeman
———Seitz——–
Support for Altidore in the form of Davies. The wings get extended with two guys that can run/cross. Freeman goes back to his natural position in lieu of a converted forward (Hill). The key is Edu being able to tie down the middle so Adu doesn’t have to play as much Defense.
The other option is removing Davies and bringing in Dax McCarty as a 5th midfielder – or – playing Adu in a forward position with Dax/Edu in the midfield.
Josh – I think it is a bad line up due to complete lack of speed on wings, Dax and SK are not winning any footraces out there.
How things have changed, eh? Eddie freaking Gaven is a must play tonight, and no one could complain too much if Dax gets the call over SK next to Edu. However, I’d rather see Holden in the middle since he’s everywhere anyways, and I’d prefer to have Zizzo in the line-up. So I’d vote Ives’ line up, then brett’s, and save Davies for a late sub if we need someone to flop over for a lame penalty to win.
Whats funny is that everyone complained about Davies, but yet everyone is giving him the nod.
Ives’ lineup is the most likely, but this is what I’d also like to see
—————Davies——–Altidore——————-
Gaven——————Adu———————–Zizzo
———————–Edu—————————–
Sturgis———Spector—–Orozco————–Hill
————————Seitz—————————
Which, sadly, doesn’t get Holden on the field. I’m also a fan of Holden on to start with Zizzo coming on later. Playing Davies stretches things out, making more room for Jozy and Adu to play. Holden, Adu, Gaven, Zizzo, Jozy, and Davies: pick one not to play and that’s your attacking half.
Actually this is better!
——-Davies—–Jozy——
————-Adu————
Holden——————Hill
————-Edu————
Nate–Spector–Orozco–Wynne
————Seitz———–
If Hill plays w/ the energy for the Total 90′, We could bring Dax, Eddie or Sacha on in the end for clean up duty!
Mike and Spence good selection on the formations! Just a bit off on the left.
——-Davies—–Jozy——
————-Adu————
Holden—————–Sacha
————-Edu————
Nate—Spector–Orozco—Hill
————Seitz————
I would like to see Adu played as the CAM with two forwards ahead of him. Josy needs a true second striker to take the pressure off him a bit.
_______Altidore________Davies_______
________________Adu_________________
Holden_________________________Gaven
________________Edu_________________
Spector____Sturgis____Orozco___Wynne
_______________Seitz________________
@home I strongly disagree with one person in the midfield, and that is Kljestan. He is just plain awful and with the way he has been playing for the U-23’s i’ll be very mad if he gets a call up to the MNT. I’m suprised he plays for Chivas if he keeps that up.
—-Davies—-Altidore–
Zizzo—Adu—-Edu—-Holden
Sturgis—Spector—Orzoco—Hill
———Seitz——–
——————Altidore—————–
——————-Adu———————
——McCarty—–Edu—Kljestan—–Holden
back line is up for grabs, but this is our best situation for midfield and up.
agree?
I’m just amused that a kid from my grad school’s men’s team (Dejan Jakovitch (sp?)) is playing for the Canadian side, while two kids from my undergrad are playing for the US (Edu and Seitz.)
I obviously pick good schools.
—–Davies—–Alitdore—-
———–Adu————–
Gaven—————–Holden
———–Edu————–
Sturgis-Spector-Orozco-Hill
———-Seitz————-
I think this formation gets you the most talent and the best form on the field at the same time. I think you need Davies to stretch the back line and open up space for Freddy to operate.
Is this game on tv?
Anyone know any pubs in NJ showing it?
(I dont have FSC)
As a proud Canuck I will be cheering myself hoarse tonight looking for the upset. That and I think most American commentators are not giving us the credit I think we deserve to be where we are, in spite of the obstacles the team has had to deal with (lack of preparation time, European based players not being released -screw u Kevin Keegan!-). The Americans have only scored one goal in open play in three games and I think this game will be a nail biter to the end. Our front line (Ricketts especially) are strong and good in the air and we have done a good job defensively. Good luck to the yanks and COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!
Toronto fans have 2 reasons to hope for a Canadian victory – an Olympic berth & we won’t lose Edu & Wynne this summer
Thanks for the insight, jc.
————-Adu——–Altidore———–
——————Holden——————-
Gaven———————————Zizzo
——————–Edu——————–
Sturgis—–Spector——Orozco——-Wynne
——————-Seitz——————-
josh that would be a horrible lineup.
i dont like the solo forward….. but i think it’s going to happen… and i hope adu pulls up and creates a more 4-4-2 setup as well…
———————–Altidore————————-
Gaven——————Adu———————-Holden
——————Edu———McCarty——————
Sturgis———Spector—–Orozco————–Hill
————————Seitz—————————
i think you’re lineup is on par…. Zizzo just seems like he’d be more efficeint coming off the bench around the 60’… McCarty has done spectacular this tourny, theres no reason we can utilize both him and Holden (who has also been doing very well)…
gaven may not be the fastest player, but he’s been creating fine so far and imagine he’ll get the nod as well… edu in middle, obvious…
i agree completely with your defense setup.. Hill has far out played Wynne…. and Hill performs at a top pace all 90 min…
————Davies——–Altidore———-
———————-Adu——————–
——–McCarty—–Edu——Kljestan—–
Sturgis—–Spector—–Orozco——–Hill
———————Seitz——————-
Ives,
I like the line-up except I see Holden playing wide with McCarty alongside Edu. I am thinking this team gets it done. I also like the fact that Nowak can bring in some players with speed if things are tight at the end of a tough match.
Prediction: USA 2 – Canada 1