Photo by ISIphotos.com
You wanted to see the youngsters and now you will see the youngsters.
U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley has called in a very young squad for Wednesday night’s world Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago and we should see a very interesting lineup taking the field.
With no TIm Howard, Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onewu, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley, the next U.S. lineup will feature the first major national team opportunity for several players. Players such as Jose Francisco Torres, Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu should all earn starts, while players like Robbie Rogers and Charlie Davies could also get looks.
So what lineup will see on Wednesday? Here is one potential starting XI:
POTENTIAL USA LINEUP vs. Trinidad & Tobago
———————-Altidore———————–
Beasley—————Adu——————Kljestan
————–Torres———Edu ——————-
Pearce—–Califf——–Mastroeni——-Hejduk
——————–Guzan—————————
I think we’ll see either Edu or Mastroeni will start in central defense. Both have played there before, but Mastroeni is more experienced in senior level games playing there. Michael Orozco is on the roster but I’m not sure we will see him start.
I have Kljestan listed on the right flank and think he can be effective there. He played their briefly against Cuba and is well-suited to play there. Charlie Davies could also play there but I’m not sure if he’s healthy enough to start. The same applies for Danny Szetela, who is also nursing an injury.
What lineup would you like to see on Wednesday night? Share your thoughts below.
Would like to see a 2 forward lineup like the ones put forth by Beckster, Thumpjosh, or Rocky. Jozy is best with a partner. He’s not a strict target/ hold-up player like Ching. He’s best working as an interconnected part of the whole offense, not as a guy just making runs and being a target. He’s not really the longball guy that Ching is, he’s best when connected closely to the midfield and his attack partner through short, surgical passing.
I also loved Beas as a marauding back at the end of the Cuba game.
No more Robbie Rogers. He’s injured and Chris Rolfe is set to replace him. (as reported by Luis Arroyave)
With none of the regular captains around (by design?), Bradley will play Mastroeni, Beasley, Hejduk and Pearce all start. One of them, probably Mastroeni, Hejduk, or Beasley, will be captain. Bradley also has an undying love for Kljestan, so he’ll start too.
So, the lineup will probably be this one:
———————————-Guzan——————————–
Hejduk—————Califf—————Pearce———Bornstein
———————Mastroeni———-Kljestan———————
Beasley————————–Adu————————-Rogers
———————————Altidore——————————–
I’d much, much rather see this:
———————————-Guzan———————————
Wynne—————–Califf————Edu——————Pearce
——————–Szetela—————–Torres———————
——–Davies——————-Adu——————-Beasley——
———————————Altidore———————————
——————Altidore—————-
Beasley————–Adu———-Kjlestan
————Torres—–Mastroeni———–
Pearce—–Califf——–Hejduk——-Wynne
——————–Guzan——————
I would use Wynne and his speed to make some sexy runs down the right side. This would give us some veteran players in some key spots. I would use: Davies, Rogers and Edu as subs. Is Adu better in the middle or on the right side? What about Torres?
———Altidore———
———–Adu————
Beasley—Torres—Sacha
——Edu—–Pablo——-
Frankie—Califf—Wynne
———Guzan————
Try to get Davies and Rogers ona s subs
Folks – Bradley isn’t, nor should he, start the 11 youngest guys in this game. If he did that, they would get no more out of this game then an U-20 or Olympic game.
Beasley, Mastro, and Hejduk aren’t on this roster to sit; they are here to provide experience and leadership on the field. No one thinks they will be a meaningful part of the 2010 WC (other than Beas, obviously), but their presence should allow Adu and Altidore to play without having to lead. I think all three vets are locks to start.
He should of sent Beasley back to Rangers while he is still in one piece. He should send his son back to camp where he can learn how to tackle cleanly and work on his passing.
I have never seen a player drop in quality faster then Bradley. Is he just awful now or what?
so what position does Torres naturally play?
Chi – Peace my friend…
“I like the Byron 10:40 lineup.”
I take that back. I like the Byron 10:40 lineup if you switch Adu for Torres, and then bring in Torres around 60 min.
I like the Byron 10:40 lineup.
Anyway you cut it, this will be a very interesting lineup considering almost all the veterans were released.
——–Altidore——
———-Adu———
Torres———-Rogers
———-Edu———
Beasley———-Wynne
Pearce–Califf–Hejduk
———Guzan——–
I haven’t seen Torres play, so maybe he shouldn’t start and allow Rogers on the left and Klestjan on the right.
I have to agree with IVES… cometopapa… grow up
Wow lets start a young lineup and have the veteran to come as sub just in cases we need to give a freeze or keep control of the game. Bob Bradley is time to show us that u can do this with this new generation of player. Still little disappointed on Kenny Cooper not been in this roster but is B.B for not calling a while back.
—————-Altidore————
————— Adu —————–
——Beasley————-Kljestan——
—————– Torres —————
—————– Edu —————
Pearce—-Orozco—–Califf—–Wynne
—————–Guzan—————–
Wow…lots of Kenny hatred going on..
i know i just want to see him play so i can either prove that my faith was justified or if hes gonna be another ej. great talent but no production.
i like ives’s lineup except that id prefer to see someone else in beasley’s spot. maybe robbie rodgers.
I would love to see this:
———Altidore——–Davies————
——————-Adu———————
——Torres—————–Kejstan——-
——————-Edu———————
–Beasley—————————Wynne–
————Orozco——-Califf————
——————-Guzan——————-
All i can say is dynamic, but i know im dreaming.
Let’s start with what we’re trying to accomplish. I have 2 goals:
– Get a look at the youngsters
– Get players that aren’t getting a lot of minutes with their clubs some game game
With 18 on the roster and considering that there are only 3 subs, there will be 4 players that don’t see game time. Here are my 4: Troy Perkins, Bornstein, Mastro. & Rogers (unfortunately).
So, here’s my lineup (4-2-3-1) with substitutions
Altidore
Torres – Adu – DMB (Davies)
Edu – Kljestan (Szetela)
Pearce – Califf – Orozco – Hejduk (Wynne)
Guzan
I kind of feel bad for Mastro. and Rogers but there are only 3 subs and both are getting lots of minutes at their clubs.
I’d love to see an all out attacking side. We have nothing to lose as a team but several of our young attackers have much to prove to Bob. Let’s go for broke. This is an experiment. Keeping the 4-3-2-1 formation I’d like to see:
————-Guzan————-
–Wynne—Califf—Orozco—Pearce–
–Kljestan——Edu———Beasley–
———-Adu——-Torres——–
————Altidore—————–
Basically, with the exception of Edu the attack would have the freedom to interchange positions while Wynne and Pearce provide some service from the flanks. I could easily see some quick movement on and all the ball. The line-up could be lethal if used correctly. Probably won’t see this line-up but it would be fun to see.
Cooper – Cooper
Cooper – Cooper – Cooper – Cooper
Cooper – Cooper – Cooper – Cooper
Cooper’s Dad
Torres usually plays in the middle for Pachuca, but said in an interview with Goff after his decision that he likes to work his way out left when he can.
My God, Joel! It would be nice if people could restrict Kenny Cooper speculation to designated Kenny Cooper Speculation Areas. He’s not in the lineup. You have somewhere to talk about it. Let’s talk about something relevant here.
I just want Altidore and Adu to play at least 70 minutes together. The Olympics were a disappointment in that regard, and these two need as much time together as possible.
GK-Guzan
RB-Wynne
LB-Orozco
CB-Edu
CB-Califf
RM-Szetela
CM-Klestan
CM-Adu
LM-Torres
A-Davies
A-Altidore
And Chi-Town/JT/OKC (whomever you are today) – before you start whining, why don’t you give all of us YOUR line-up.
have i been missing something. i’ve been a longtime fan of pablo, but recently, hmmmm…seems a little slow. i guess, bob’s veteran requirement and whatnot.
players i’d like to see: more of- adu, jozy, torres (all three should start) and davies.
actually, brian your lineup:
Altidore—Davies
Rogers—–Adu——-Torres—–Klejstan
Edu
Orozco—–Califf——Wynn
Guzan
goes over well with me, except i’d like to see beasley in for orozco. either way, it’d be a fun group to watch if they are clicking well.
send beasley back to scotland. Why risk him getting injured in this game?
I will support any line-up that does not include Robbie Rodgers.
I’d like to see Wynne and Davies get on the field as well as those listed in Ives line-up.
I also think Wynne should play instead of Frankie. Why not?
Ives: I’m sure you mentioned this before but what is the position Torres usually plays with Pachuca?
I can see Torres being moved forward and Sacha falling back next to Mastro/Edu. Torres showed a lot of imagination and Bradley may want to see what he will do in a more purely attacking role. Is he a left-footer? Looks that way from the picture but I recall him using both feet effectively on Saturday.
I can’t help but wonder if K. Cooper is going to regret his decision to snub the Nats. As good as he is, he certainly isn’t a lock for the national team. I think he made a poor decision by opting out of the squad.
Another vote for Wynne of Frankie. We can always sub in Frankie if the team needs to be settled down. (I can’t beleive i wrote that, bu the way.)
Adu Altidore Davies
Torres Edu Kljestan
Pearce Orozco Califf Hejduk
Guzan
Here is what I would like to see, a 4-1-4-1 like this:
———-Altidore————-
Rodgers—Torres—Adu—-Klejstan
———-Mastroeni————–
Wynne—Edu—Califf—-Hejduk
———-Guzan——————
Likely Subs:
Davies for Altidore
Beasley for Rodgers
Szetela for Mastroeni (if the U.S. is ahead by two or more)
Szetela for Torres (if the U.S. is ahead by one or less)
This puts onto the field a good mix of experience (Mastroeni and Hejduk) with lots of youth (obviously). This line up keeps only one player on the pitch that started the Cuba match–Kljestan, so there are few concerns about players being tired. But also what it does is put world class speed on the flanks (Kljestan aside, although he is by no means slow of foot) and solid ball control and creativity down the middle with Mastroeni, Adu, and Torres along the spine. Mastroeni is a quality holding midfielder and Bradley can use him well. I would push Edu a little forward of the back line, almost like a 3-2-4-1 and let him use some of those distributional skills he needs to improve. The speed of Wynne and Hejduk can make up for some of the mistakes they may make and we shouldn’t worry about those mistakes, that is why you have speedy backs. Wynne may not be as good a crosser of the ball as Pearce may be, but you have to give him a shot.
Demerit is out with a hammy, otherwise, I could see him in the middle with Califf.
OMG OMG OMG OMG KENNY COOPER KENNY COOPER KENNY COOPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DID I MENTION KENNY COOPER!!!!!!!!!!!!???????
You have Sacha and Freddy lined up wrong if that is the projected lineup. Go back and watch the US- Holland Olympic game after Babel scored when they switch to a 4-2-3-1. Freddy lined up on the right and Sacha was playing in the center.
Totally not going to happen but
————Altidore—-
———————–Davies———
——————–Adu——————–
Beasley————Torres———-Kljestan
——————–Edu——————-
——-Orozco—Califf—Mastroeni/Wynne—
——————–Guzan——————
A guy can hope for an almost all young guy lineup
I dunno about you but I would’ve loved to see Jay DeMerit get a call-up. He deserves to be looked at especially if we are gonna make a center mid play centerback.
Where’s Eddie Johnson!!
jmac you should kill yourself since the article below this one says Cooper turned down the invite lmao you are an idiot.
IVES- What is with the lack of coverage on the racism in Robertson stadium towards DCU keeper Louis Crayton?
“Wynne over Hejduk, other than that I’d gladly take what Ives is rollin out.”
100% agreed
Wynne over Hejduk, other than that I’d gladly take what Ives is rollin out.
OMG I CANNOT BELIEVE BOB BRADLEY DIDN’T CALL UP KENNY COOPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHAHRHAHHFH!!! KILL SELF!!!
There’s a lot of flexibility in the midfield with this group, but I’d love to see someone really make a play for the right midfield spot.
Defense looks about right, though it might be nice to see either Bornstein or Wynne as 2nd half subs to see where they’re at.
The youngsters here have a lot of promise–here’s to them really gelling over the next year and a half.
Why are Pablo and Frankie included on this list? Are they realistically going to have a shot at the World Cup Roster? I don’t think so… so let the young guns play and stop with the old guys that won’t even be on the roster in 2010
Let’s have Orozco and Wynne instead of Mastro and Heyduk. Otherwise, I think Ives’ lineup looks great.
Altidore Davies
Rogers Torres Beasley
Edu
Pearce Orozco Califf Wynne
Guzan
————Altidore—- Davies———
Torres————–Adu————-Beasley
————–Mastroeni—————-
Pearce—–Califf——–EDU——-Hejduk
——————–Guzan——————
Just a little twist to the norm…don’t think we really need two defensive mids for T&T
Let them attack!! Who cares if we win or lose, lets see this lineup!
Altidore—Davies
Rogers—–Adu——-Torres—–Klejstan
Edu
Orozco—–Califf——Wynn
Guzan
Definitely not Cooper….he doesn’t have international pedigree or do the “little things”…..LOL!
why not give rogers a start on the wing, otherwise good
I want to see Kenny Cooper!!!! Why oh why can’t I see Kenny Cooper!!!!!
Oh wait…I couldn’t care less about Kenny Cooper. So Ives’ lineup is fine by me.