Good afternoon folks. The highly-anticipated USA-England friendly is just two days away, meaning it is time to start seriously thinking about a starting lineup for the Americans.
Here are some things to consider before choosing a starting XI:
- DaMarcus Beasley started and played extremely well for Rangers on Saturday, meaning that he’s a good bet to start vs. England.
- Landon Donovan appears to be over the calf strain from a week ago.
- Maurice Edu has replaced Benny Feilhaber on the U.S. roster.
So what will the American lineup look like? Here’s a possible starting XI:
———–Dempsey———-Johnson————
Beasley———————————-Donovan
—————-Bradley—–Clark——————
Pearce—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—Cherundolo
———————Howard———————–
I know the name that folks will scratch their heads at is Eddie Johnson, but based on the match-up, and the options on the roster I’m not sure what else we could see. I considered a lineup with Donovan up top and Josh Wolff on the right wing, which might actually work better. I know folks won’t give Donovan much of a chance against the Rio-Terry center back tandem but his speed might be better served there than on the right flank, where he would match up against the equally speedy Ashley Cole. That said, I can see Johnson, if healthy, getting the call up top next to Fulham teammate and close friend Clint Dempsey.
What starting lineup would you like to see the U.S. national team use on Wednesday? Share your thoughts below.
Starting Eddie Johnson against England is like playing 10 vs. 11 from the start. I’d rather see Adu.
I can’t comment on whether Jaqua has improved in Austria, but I think one word describes his style of play in Chicago/Houston/LA: Awkward. When I think of Jaqua, I think of Peter Crouch, but with about half the talent. But, target players in MLS are often under-rated because there are very few wing players with the skills necessary to provide good service. SO, maybe he can do better with Cherundolo and Beasley.
———–Donovan———-Johnson————
Beasley———————————-Dempsey
—————-Bradley—–Clark——————
Pearce—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—Cherundolo
———————Howard———————–
and i see Adu coming of the bench at some point in the second half, hopefully to see the US go to a more attacking formation by replacing Clark. Donovan’s speed is much more useful up front than on the wing, especially if Johnson has improved his hold up play enough to get him the ball in the right positions.
No Cooper, unfortunately.
PS- I also like Dempsey in the role of attacking center mid but with our players he is most likely needs to play on the wing to get the best out of what we have to offer.
Also- does anyone who has really watched Jaqua play often know if he has the ability to play a holding withdrawn striker role? I really never saw the guy play enough other then to know he is big enough to play the target role but whether he can is another story. Thanks in advance for your views.
Cooper not on the squad for this match, but he is in the 33-man pool of players being used for these three games. Bradley has left quite a few MLSers at home for this game.
My guess is that we’ll see Cooper get a call for the Argentina game.
Will,
After the first game EJ began to hold the ball up fine and pas back into deeper positions for Fulham. The problem was THAT’S ALL HE DID. He never turned or created space and he immediately went down like a trailer park in a tornado if even slightly bumped. So let’s see:
1. Doesn’t go at defenders
2. Doesn’t create space
3. Shockingly easy to go down even by Argentinean/Portuguese, Italian standards which the English game hates
4. Holds the ball and returns to defensive holding midfielders instead of hitting the cutting wingers.
5. Sulks and lies about when touched.
6. Presence on field basically left Fulham playing a 10 man line up once other teams knew he had no idea how to use his own speed and therefore could be effectively eliminated by keeping one defender behind him.
I watched every game and he was shockingly incompetent.
Once the love fest with Roy is over at Fulham he is going to get roasted for this signing. And we USA national fans have no one else ready with the speed to worry others except EJ for the time being. Very sad but it’s a fact.
Altidore and Davies could be ruined if you threw them out there right now. They need to slowly grow and gain maturity to deal with failure without having their confidence implode. Bradley is smart to not press them into service and is unfortunate that he only has EJ as a speed threat to place up front. Better to hope we score from set pieces or hustle because our striker situation is no very good at the moment. Maybe Jaqua can play the holding role because I live Dempsey to depth but he is a creative, attacking winger, not a withdrawn striker, as this last year at Fulham clearly demonstrated.
I hope Cooper comes in during the second half
Many people fail to see the one glaring advantage EJ brings to the table, which is blazing speed. We’re the most athletic nation in the world and Terry and Ferdinand will eat dust if Eddie plays. Here’s my lineup.
——–donovan—johnson——
beasley——-adu———dempsey
—–bradley———clark———
–bocanegra–onyewu—Cherundolo
————howard————–
Out of my mind? Is that all you got Gaby and Willy? I believe Ives asked us what line-up we’d like to see. As far as I see Gabe your only comment was about me, thanks. And is that you up thread Will with a dissertation? And also complaining about wasting space? You were asked for a comment, you lousy wannabe blogger.
Is Cooper named to the squad. I would really like to see how he does against a quality international side. He has really impressed me when I’ve seen him play in person. Big, fast, strong, with good finishing skills. I see great potential in him.
———–Jaqua
——-Donovan
Beasley—–Adu—–Dempsey
——Bradley–Edu
–Boca—-Gooch—-Cholo
———–Howard
Jaqua didn’t show much in LA, but he’s gotten better each of the last two years. He’s earned his chance and just might surprise.
Donovan is at the top of his game as a withdrawn forward. I think he’d give JT and Rio some real problems, particularly with Beasley to his left and Dempsey to his right. (If Bradley continues to marginalize his best player by playing Donovan out on the right, he should be fired)
It would be a risk, but I’d also like to see how Adu works with Beasley, Donovan and Dempsey. That will put more of a defensive burden on Beasley and Dempsey, but I think they’re up to it.
“Anyone who has Jaqua in the starting lineup is out of their mind.”
Agreed. Also like his predicted move to the premier league after 3 caps.
And the prediction that Owen will score….perhaps some of you should pay more attention to what’s actually going on around this game before wasting space on the page.
Anyone who has Jaqua in the starting lineup is out of their mind.
How many chances does Eddie Johnson get? Give Jaqua a chance to show he’s brings more than EJ. Which isn’t alot. That said.
4-4-2
Howard, Dolo, Gooch, Boca, Pearce, Dempsey, Bradley, Edu, Adu, Donovan, Jaqua.
Guzan, Orozco, Hedjuk, Clark, Beasley, Lewis, Johnson.
I want to see all of Beasley, Adu, Dempsey and Donovan start. I don’t care what you want to call their positions, but they are our 4 best attacking players and they should all be on the field at the same time.
——Beasley—–Adu———-
Donovan——————Dempsey
——Clark——Bradley——–
Pearce-Bocanegra-Onyewu-Cherundolo
Howard
———Dempsey———
———adu————
donavan———-Beasley
——-clark-bradley—
Pearce-boca-Gooch-dolo
I know it won’t happen, but with Dempsey winning balls, adu distributing them to donovan who will have acres of space on the left side (b/c beckam will be on the field) This lineup will give the best option for goals. Adu won’t start though, Jaqua, Johnson, or Wolff will.
Ives I think you’re spot on with your XI, with Adu and Edu coming on as second half subs.
—————Howard————–
Cherundolo–Guch–Boca–Pearce
————Edu–Bradley———-
Dempsey———————-Beasley
————Donovan–Adu———-
2-1 USA
Goals from Donovan and Dempsey and Owen
I meant Donovan will outplay Dempsey…
Prediction: Donovan will outplay Donovan, but get a 4 average rating on Big Soccer while Dempsey gets 6s and 7s.
——–donovan—wolf——
beasley——-adu———dempsey
————bradley————
orozco–bocanegra–onyewu—Cherundolo
————howard————–
What I would really like to see but will never see unless I am USMNT head coach:
……Dempsey……
…Adu….Donovan..
Lewis………Beasley
…Clark..Bradley..
Boca..Gooch…Dolo
Basically a 3-4-3 with Adu and Lando playing just behind Dempsey, and not necessarily in wide positions. Ideally, I’d like Jozy where Clint is, Beez on the left wing and Clint and Lando can alternate between the A-mid and right wing position.
I have no idea if this would work in real life but it works really well in FIFA 08!
oh well.
from cnnsi.com
“Jonathan Spector is a doubtful starter for the Americans because of a hip injury.”
a lot of people are now completely sold on Jaqua. is there something i don’t know about?
I always give Donovan a chance, especially if he is in the mood. He obviously had a disappointing World Cup, but people forget the performance he put in against Italy in the second half of that game. That tells you all you need to know about Donovan’s class when he is at his best. He made the World Champs, and the likes of Canavarro, Materazzi, Zambrotta, look incredibly average when they tried to defend him with the ball, so if given the chance, no reason he could not do the same agaisnt Rio and JT.
————Howard————-
-Dolo—Gooch—–Boca—Pearce
——-Bradley—–Edu———
Donovan—————–Beasley
————–Adu————–
————Dempsey————
____________Dempsey_______
_____________Adu________________
__Beasley_________________Donovan
_________Bradley___Clark________
_Pearce__Boca____Onyewu___Cherundolo
_____________Howard_______
I will be at the game at Wembley (one of the perks of living in the UK). Will any of you be there? Meet me in Sam’s Army….
_________Donovan___________
Beasley___Bradley___Dempsey
______Spector____Edu_______
Pearce__Boca___Gooch___Dolo
__________Howard___________
4-2-3-1
Lock Down on Defense with Twin Destroyers in Spector and Edu. Tactically you get the ball out wide to Beaz & Clint, where they have the green light to run at people and draw free kicks – then pray for a goal from Boca or Gooch or one of them Mike Bradley sitters.
———-Jaqua-Adu————
Beasley-Dempsey-Bradley-Donovan
Pearce-Bocanegra-Onyewu-Cherundolo
————Howard————-
I know, Dempsey at CM is something new, but I think he’d be great there. Jaqua can hold the ball up top and let Adu run off of him. Or, bring in Clark for Adu, put Donovan up top, and slide Dempsey wide right.
What I’d like to see, but won’t see:
Adu-Donovan
Beasley-Bradley-Edu-Dempsey
Pearce-Bocanegra-Orozco-Dolo
Howard
———–Dempsey———-Lando————
Beasley———————————-adu
—————-Bradley—–edu——————
Pearce—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—Cherundolo
———————Howard———————-
i hope we attack like a mother, in the first half at least…with that lineup. i wonder if nate jaq will get a crack at all? i hope so, i’d like to see him maybe transfer in to one of the newly promoted teams with an impressive performance in front of the brits.
—–Dempsey——-
——-Adu———
Beasley—–Donovan
—Bradley-Clark—
Spector——–Dolo
–Oneywu—Boca—-
——Howard——-
————Dempsey—-Adu————-
Lewis—————————Donovan
———–Bradley—–Edu————-
Pearce—Bocanegra—Onyewu—Cherundolo
—————-Howard—————–
OBSERVATIONS:
Up Top: How difficult is it to put together that AM and ST combination? EJ’s most glaring problem this year has been his inability to bring down, hold and redistribute from up top. That’s only going to be exacerbated by the likely Rio/Terry pairing in central defense.
Adu Up Top?: Why not? His potential youthful mistakes would be less difficult to stomach than watch EJ experience-ly lose every pass. Plus, we really need to start finding ways to work him into our lineup. Given his ability to play in different areas, this would be a good opportunity to start testing him.
No Beas?: Not against England. Physical team and he’s just coming back from injury. Looked good on Saturday, but that was “Queen of the South”. No point risking him when he’ll get his chances against the “softer” Spain and Argentina. Just not worth the risk considering the gaping holes we have on the left.
Reality Check: There will be at least one head-scratcher in the starting lineup that won’t be as bad as we think (likely Wolff starting up top or on the right). Underachievement will likely come from a “shoe-in” player. I’m putting my money on Johnson and/or Donovan.
Workman Dempsey: who won’t have a flashy game, but rather will play the workman target striker, holding and distributing, dictating tempo at times, and showing his less heralded improved understanding of the game. To most he’ll probably look somewhat out of the game. Fact is, he’s critical to creating opportunities for everyone else, especially since he’s the closest thing we have to a target forward (and that is not a good thing).
Cherundolo: So difficult to type out the backline with him in it and try to match it with each line above.
Edu or Clark: I like Edu’s poise and understanding of the game more than Clark. In a game where our young midfield will match up against some of the best midfielders in the world, organization, poise and commitment is key. Plus, Edu has always raised his game against top competition. Clark seems to disappear at times and make hasty decisions.
Ives, thats almost exactly what i posted a dew days ago, and they called me crazy.
————————-Tim————————–
Dolo———-Boca———-Gooch———–Pearce
Donovan————-Rico———————DMB
———————–Bradley———————–
———————–Clint————————–
————————–EJ—————————–
I got Clint behind EJ, because I think it will work better, plus Clint has said, he prefers that position/role.
——-Jaqua—-Dempsey——-
—Adu————–Beasley—
——Bradley—-Clark——–
Pearc—Boca—-Gooch—–Dolo
———–Howard————-
I actually kind of agree with you about Eddie Johnson, plus it would be hilarious if he scored against England after what they saw of him for Fulham. I wouldn’t put him in my starting eleven but he will probably get a cap. I like this lineup here because it has aggressive attacking players and an experienced back line. I predict a 0-0 draw although my heart says the US will get a 3-1 victory.
I think Clark suits the national team well and plays the postion the way Bradley wants him to. He plays very well with young Bradley. I like Ives line up and think it is what we are going to see. E.J.? – well what other choice do we have for speed up front? answer-none.
A draw would be shocking. England will be under no pressure and thus will be at the top of their game. Holding them scoreless for the 1st 20 minutes is the key.
What I’m hoping for but don’t expect:
————Howard————-
-Dolo—Gooch—–Boca—Pearce
——-Bradley—–Edu———
Donovan—————–Beasley
————–Adu————–
————Dempsey————
-Same line-up from the South Africa friendly, only Donovan replaces Feilhaber. My fingers are crossed.
Being overly optimistic and probably completely unrealistic with regard to the lineup, this is what I would like to see:
———-Howard————
Dolo——Gooch——Boca
—-Edu——–Bradley—–
Beas—-Donovan—–Lewis
—–Adu—Dempsey—–
US 3, Brits 2
I think Ives has the lineup we’ll see to start. I’d like to see Edu instead of Clark and as Ives mentioned, Wolff on the right wing and Donovan up top with clint.
However, if this is the lineup, I see Adu coming in for either Edu or Clark in the second half, Lewis in for Beaz, and Wolff replacing Johnson (Wolff on right, Donovan moving up top or slightly behind Dempsey) since we all know Eddie won’t get anything done in this game.
I’d put Lewis in to start on left wing. DeMarcus just started and played most of the game for the first time in 6 months. Asking him to start again on Wednesday seems like a little too much. Let him come in after the half.
Johnson Dempsey
Beasley Donovan
Edu Bradley
Pearce Bocanegra Onyewu Cherundolo
Howard
with Donovan’s form in MLS it would be a shame not putting him at forward.
Lets face it..we’re not going to get much chances infront of goal no matter who we put in midfield and when we do have that chance ,who would you rather have “poaching” the goal? Donovan or EJ?
——Jaqua—-Dempsey——
Beasley—————Donovan
——–Clark-Bradley———
Pearce————–Cherundolo
——Bocanegra- Gooch——-
———-Howard———–
This is the lineup Bradley should use. I’m completely sold on Jaqua, we need to give some new blood a try, and Cooper, Jaqua need opportunities to play. Johnson is god awful and until he starts scoring for Fulham, he should not see the field for the US
I think that Edu might get the go over Clark. The way that Landon has been playing up top with the Galaxy makes me hope that he is up top against England.
(Also, remember that Spector is doubtful with a hip problem.)
It is my sincere hope and desire that Bob Bradley knows better whom to put on his roster than I do.
But it’s obvious with this squad, we’re going to have to cater to individual strengths — rather than plug players into a stock formation — if we’re going to stand a chance. Donovan and Dempsey need to be put somewhere they can run. For either of them to do that, we’ll need an out-and-out striker, which means Johnson might be our best bet at the moment. Ideally, I’d prefer to see Bradley and Edu (or a healthy, fit Feilhaber) in the midfield, but on form, I understand why Clark might get the call. But I still have my doubts about a Bradley/Clark midfield. I haven’t seen it work yet. And I’d like to see Adu involved at some point. He could be an x-factor. And it’s great to have DMB back.
Heart: England, 1: USA, 2
Head: England, 2: USA, 0
—-donovan—Dempsey–
–Lewis———beasley–
———clark-bradley—-
pearce-boca-gooch–dolo–
———-howard——-
Speed kills. I can see Donovan and Beasley getting a couple of good chances in this game.