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Who should the USA start vs. Guatemala?

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

The first group stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying is set to kick off on Wednesday with the U.S. national team in Guatemala City to take on Guatemala. The Americans will be favored but can’t expect an easy game, especially considering they have never won a qualifier in Guatemala before.

Guatemala should come in with some confidence, having beaten Bolivia 3-0 in a friendly earlier this month and having limited the Americans to just one goal in their past two meetings, both in 2007.

The United States will have a full-strength squad for the match, meaning Bob Bradley will be able to get a good look at his Best XI. Just what that Best XI is a bit uncertain, at least in part because of the status of DaMarcus Beasley, who is normally a first-choice left winger but who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

With that in mind, here is a look at the Starting XI we are likely to see against Guatemala on Wednesday night:

USA Projected Starting XI vs. Guatemala

————Dempsey——Ching——————

Beasley———————————–Donovan

————–Bradley—-Mastroeni—————

Pearce—Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Cherundolo

———————Howard———————–

Eddie Lewis will get the start if Beasley isn’t fit enough. I know we haven’t seen much of the Dempsey-Ching combo but I have a feeling we’ll see it here, though a Dempsey-Johnson tandem is a very real possibility. Pablo Mastroeni gets the nod over Edu for his experience in these kinds of environments, though it whouldn’t shock me to see the young tandem of Bradley and Edu in the middle. The back-line is set barring injury.

What do you think of this lineup? What lineup would you like to see vs. Guatemala? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Raghu’s perspective a an accurate one.

    That said, the notion of Heath Pearce assigned to a speedy winger concerns me.

    Other than that, the tactics should be a nice boring stifling midfield that takes the crowd out of it (thank you M. Bradley, and try not to pick up your usual yellow card). Then, counter down the wings later in the game and get the good crosses in.

    HEY GOOCH, CHING: OUR CORNER KICKS SHOULD YIELD GOALS!!

    Back to meaningful, competitive games. I love it!!!!!!

    Reply
  2. ThumpJOsh and everyone who agrees with DESNYG, Pender, Weddo, and I see that Lockwood coming around..

    Sunil Gulati, the head of USSF contact info

    E-mail Address:

    skg21@columbia.edu

    Address:

    Economics Department, Columbia University

    1125 International Affairs Building, MC 3308

    420 West 118th Street

    New York NY 10027

    Reply
  3. i’ve never heard anyone mention giving stammler a shot at d-mid.. i think he’s done enough to deserve a look one of these days

    Reply
  4. Out of the available lineup, i’d have :

    EJ Dempsey

    Beasley Donovan

    Bradley Mastroeni

    Pearce Bocanegra Onyewu Cherundolo

    Howard

    What are the chances of Guzan starting in goal for 1 of these qualifiers? For me Ching is too old and slow, let him keep his play up for Dynamo, same with Twellman and Wolff.

    Reply
  5. ————-Ching—–Donovan————

    ——————————————

    Beasley/Lewis–Edu——Bradley—-Dempsey

    ——————————————

    Pearce—–Demerit——Gooch———Dolo

    —————–Howard——————-

    It’ll never happen, but Demerit should start. Bocanegra plays poorly while his team gives up 4 goals (seriously, none of the reports for him were good), and he’ll start, and probably be captain. Meanwhile, Demerit captains Watford to two straight shutouts to start the season, and he’ll ride the bench. Apparently Califf wasn’t available, or Demerit wouldn’t be there at all. Anyway. The rest of the lineup is determined by who’s available. I’d bring Johnson on as a sub, if at all. You could start Klejstan or Edu, either one working with M. Bradley works for me. And then Beasley or Lewis depending on the fitness of DMB. And Donovan could play on the right, or up top. It really doesn’t matter, you’re sacrificing something either way. Sadly, I think “Eh, it really doesn’t matter” might be a little too close to describing Bob’s attitude.

    Reply
  6. this a bit of topic but bothering me what news of michael bradley and where he is going something must be going on. transfer window less than two weeks away.

    Reply
  7. ALTIDORE-COOPER

    DONOVAN

    BEAZEE-KLJESTAN-BRADLEY-LANDON

    GOOCH-BOCANEGRA-STEVE C.

    HOWARD

    Bring in Pearce,Lewis, and Pablo later

    Reply
  8. Ives’ lineup is fine. If Beasley is not fit, play him the whole game so he can get in shape (not 100%, don’t risk him). Mastroeni is fine as long as he keeps his cool.

    I just read an article on Guate. After reading it, it should convince one that this group called up is the right one. Ruiz is desperate to bring Guate glory by taking Guate to the WC after falling just short in 2006. MNT must be careful for this one and take it very seriuosly.

    Reply
  9. The “post your line-up” posts get funnier each time.

    My two favorite ones so far:

    1) Bradley and Johnson playing off of Dempsey in a 4-3-2-1.

    2) Bradley on the wing.

    Reply
  10. I want to see Reyna. We could use his calming influence and he would take care of all of those lil things. He has to be rested at this point. Right?

    Reply

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