The U.S. men's national team held a press conference today in advance of Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica and while there were no real surprises, the event still had its amusing moments and interesting comments from head coach Bob Bradley, Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra.
Among the funnier moments was one reporter calling Carlos Bocanegra Pablo Mastroeni, another reporter calling Bob Bradley Michael and four Costa Rican "journalists" asking Donovan for autographs after the press conference (along with one sporting a Costa Rica jersey).
Here are some of the comments from Bradley, Donovan and Bocanegra ahead of Wednesday night's match:
When asked about the difficulty of playing in Saprissa and whether the United States would be prepared, Donovan
"We had the advantage now of playing in El Salvador and I think that was our biggest test," Donovan said. "Cuba and Guatemala were tests in the first round of qualifying but I think the El Salvador game opened our eyes."
One popular questions for the veterans is what are they saying to prepare younger players for what is sure to be a stunning sight on Wednesday night. Donovan revealed that there isn't much that can be said.
"Until you play in a game like this there's not a whole lot you can tell people," Donovan said. "I know in my first game (in Costa Rica) the older players said a lot to me, but until you play in it you don't understand, but we have a lot of guys who have experienced that and will be prepared for it."
"My first away qualifier was in Costa Rica," Donovan said. "You watch the games on TV, and you hear about it, but that was a massive wake-up call. It's exciting, at that time it was intimidating, but now I really look forward to these games. They're a lot of fun for us."
Bradley address the right back situation and expressed confidence in both Jonathan Spector and Marvell Wynne.
"In both cases we feel the players have had good experiences along the way with some of our youth teams," Bradley said. "Certainly Marvell benefited a great deal from his Olympic experience last summer. Jonathan, playing in the (English) Premiership, has seen what it's like to come up up against great players playing in difficult environments.
"We feel good that when there are injuries, when there are suspensions, that we've got players that not only can step in, but we've had them into camps, we've had games, it's familiar to them how we go about our business."
When asked about Costa Rica's resurgence, Bradley pointed to the work of head coach and former Olympic team coach Rodrigo Kenton, who has done a very good job to have a young Costa Rican side in second place in World Cup qualifying.
So what's the lineup going to be? If I had to bet on one I'd go with this one:
————–Ching———–Altidore—————-
Donovan—————————————Dempsey
——————-Bradley—-Mastroeni—————
Beasley——-Bocanegra—–Onyewu———-Spector
————————Howard—————————
Why this lineup? Well, Bob Bradley said that Jozy Altidore is healthy enough to start and if Altidore is healthy, can Bradley really leave him out the way he's been scoring goals for the national team? If Altidore is up top, then we will pretty much see the same starting lineup Bradley used against Trinidad & Tobago, with Spector replacing the injured Frankie Hejduk.
What do you think of the above notes? Feeling good about Spector or Wynne at right back? Starting to feel confident that the U.S. team will be able to hand Saprissa this time around?
Share your thoughts below.
Posted by: The Athority
WHat he said
Good stuff, all. I like the thought process of Ives’ predicted lineup. LD and Dempsey will wander inside as needed and Deuce’s defensive ability will help the right back.
I still have to put DMB on the field in any game where he is healthy. He is a very versatile player and whether he plays LB or MF, his speed and ability to disrupt the other team is too valuable to do without.
Regards,
Ives- I personally love this lineup for this matchup.
We have our best players on the wings, getting behind their backline and feeding two massive forwards. Bradley can move forward and put more pressure on the back four of Los Ticos with Maestro behind him. I’ve always thought he has the best shot on the MNT, it’s time to utilize it. Defending, Beasley has the pace to keep up, Bradley and Maestro have a lot of work to do tracking back. Finally, Spector knows what he is doing. He has been groomed in probably the best system in the world, Manchester United, so he can handle himself. If the pace is getting to him, then Wynne can be brought on as a sub.
I feel that Los Ticos will single out Spector and put their quickest guy on him. For us, I hope Donovan and Duece get a chance to switch sides if they are our wingers. I’ve always thought this tactic provides dynamic and a bright change in games.
Go USA. Just booked my flight to Chicago. Everything is set.
Nice pic Milkshake. For the record, I wasn’t playing with my phone, but actually posting the Conor Casey Player of the Month post. Gotta love the Blackberry Storm and its international capability.
I will look to provide some insight into Costa Rica on Wednesday (or should I say today). It could be a little while though. I need to get some sleep.
Beasley is better than Bornstein.
how BB could see Beasley, the guy that hasn’t played since when?, as our best option at any position is beyond me. ANY starting MLS left back is a better option, even Bornstein.
If this happens, watch closely to see how badly he gets beaten. It’s time BB saw what his soon to be ‘X’ club knows. He’s done.
We have to move past Pablo and Heydude. They’re from the past…time to move on
Did Ives tap that …
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K6wehi02tNA/SiXMnnrTHQI/AAAAAAAAAQI/6BoxVEVBTm0/s1600-h/JDUSAMNT2.JPG
… girl on the shoulder and ask for a pen.
Where did you think that was going?
One area where Ives is kicking Goff’s ass: footwear. SG rockin the dork look.
I thought Ives was married.
Not sure it’s been said, but looks like the game is on ESPN, not ESPN2 like ussoccer.com says.
That girl is DEFINITELY giving Ives the sexy eyes.
Ed,
Telling Ives he should make a move? He probably already MADE the move young man.
Man that chick is hot Ives, you should make a move.
Haha I see Luis Bueno and Goff also made it down safely.
Is it me or is the girl in the front row checking Ives out (from milkshake of despair’s posted photo)?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K6wehi02tNA/SiXMnnrTHQI/AAAAAAAAAQI/6BoxVEVBTm0/s1600-h/JDUSAMNT2.JPG
That girl in the pic looks hot!
John Denver,
Spectors speed is no where near Wynne’s, neither is anybody else on the US team. Speed does not make a player, ask Domonick Oduro. If you were looking at soccer IQ as actual IQ, Spectors IQ is about 120 and Wynne’s is about 75….functionally retarded.
John C,
You know the reason…..in the USA we build guys up, just to tear them down later. We haven’t seen enough of Torres, so he’s the man! Until he plays 2 poor games, then the same people who are chanting for him now will be saying he was overrated.
Agreed, Ives, give us the scoop on the Costa Rican players. Thanks in advance!
I think Ives has it right. BUT I’d prefer to see Boca at left with Demerit in the middle. Keep Beaz on the bench and use him as a spark later if needed.
Also, check out Ives at the press conference. Looking pretty disinterested Ives….
(center of the picture playing with his phone)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K6wehi02tNA/SiXMnnrTHQI/AAAAAAAAAQI/6BoxVEVBTm0/s1600-h/JDUSAMNT2.JPG
Can we get some analysis of Costa Rica? Who are the players to watch? Those impressing for their clubs, etc. What their style of play is.
Not that I can’t spend hours reading about/debating who should pair with Bradley in central mid, or who should play left back. I can.
Torres should get the nod, but we all know it will be Mastroeni. I can’t say I blame Bradley.
didnt beasley say he doesn’t like playing left back?
Torres with Bradley por favor! And i feel much better with Spector on the right than Hejduk, even though I love Hey Dude to death.
No matter what happens tomorrow, this is going to be a brutal game. BTW, anyone care to wager the over/under on a Pablo redcard? I’ll go under 65th minute. 😉
I had the exact same idea for the lineup…Beasley with Donovan on the same side looked great against T&T. Talk about speed on the left side. Not to mention the chemistry between Donovan and Ching. That header from Ching to Donovan crossing it to Jozy was awesome against T&T. Costa Rica at Saprissa is going to be a much greater challenge, but I love this lineup. Pablo gets the nod for experience. Edu would of got it if he wasn’t hurt.
I love having Deuce and LD on the wings. I especially like how they have the ability to switch sides. It seems with that formation Deuce has been sliding inside to the top of the box more allowing for the RB to get forward almost making the formation a 3-4-3 at times.
i like mastro…we’re going to need piss and vinegar in our midfield in those hostile enviornments
First Ives Great site.
Second..I wish I was there with you.
Third thanks for all the insite and opinion.
I will comment on line up. Ching and Altidore I believe you have that correct
MF we all know Bradley is in the middle and I think Coach Bradley will go with the veteran on the road w/ Pablo. Dempsey owns the right. L was beasleys however Lando is our best player. I think this is the best move since our att is solid.
I also agree with your defense except Beasley. I would sit Beasley and play Bornstein a Club defender rather than a spot defender in Beasley.
keep the info flowing…great pics and like the reporting on the jersey hanging in Saprissa
Cheers
JL
http://concacaf-futball.blogspot.com/
Mastro’s job is not to hold possession, it is to break up play and bust heads.
Hopper, this isn’t the kind of game where you give chances. This is the type of game where you go with a solid veteran to get the job done. Yeah, Mastroeni kinda let us all down in ’06, but he is a strong CDM who can allow M. Bradley a little freedom to get in the attack. Maybe you haven’t been reading lately but we have never won at Saprissa. You don’t take chances in an atmosphere like that.
My only concern is Spector being schooled by the Costa Ricans. Because he didnt show nothing in the last couple of games he played for West Ham.
I like it. If we go with 2 up front (and Jozy is actually healthy), I’d go for it.
I also wouldn’t mind a 4-5-1 with Torres in for Jozy and playing as a CAM.
Sort of strange how Pablo Mastroeni is invisible during games for the Rapids, yet somehow keeps getting caps for the Nats. I like the guy, but I don’t care how much experience he has. I want the best team on the field. We have better, younger midfielders who should be given a chance.
Why is there so much praise over Torres? The kid has looked good in his brief stints- crisp passer and controlled however he has never done anything spectacular while out there. However, everyone talks about him like he is going to be playing for Man U next year- the kid rarely plays a full 90 for his club team and numerous times is subbed out after halftime. I hope he turns out great but lets get off the hype machine. I am fine with him coming in in the 75th minute for Pablo who holds a yellow but he shouldn’t start until the gold cup. I have a strange feeling that we will be talking about Torres the same way we talked about Feilhieber and now Sacha just because we continually over hype center mids.
hey guys, i haven’t seen alot of spector playing. how does his speed stack up to wynne’s? i know wynne is a freaking gazelle.
I think Ives has described the best possible starting lineup for the USMNT against CRC. Most of the players have considerable experience in playing road games in CONCACAF qualifying. Spector has comparable experience in the Premiership and Altadore seems impervious to pressure.
Pablo is a tough DMF who’s played against the best (e.g. Italy in the WC). Not sure how the Ticos will attack (over the top, middle, flanks) but Pablo should demolish many of the attacks.
Though I’m a great admirer of Michael B I wonder if he is now (or ever will be) a classic #10. I sure would be happy if he could be that kind of player. I think Torres has the potential to be that kind of player, but he’s not ready for hardcore qualifying yet.
With this lineup I predict the US will score 2 goals – one on a set piece and one in the run of play. Lets hope Carlos and Company can keep the Ticos off the board.
Beaz shouldn’t even get a sniff of the pitch
i say switch dempsey and donovan (donovan is a better crosser and dempsey likes to cut inside anyway) and replace Spector with Wynne (Wynne plays on turf for his club and is a track star).
Mr. Ives, have you been to The Del Rey yet?
If we’re going to bunker down and try and come away with a point, Beasley is a horrible choice at left back. He doesn’t have the experience there, he’s tiny, he’s physically weak, and he hasn’t regained his speed since he blew out his knee last year.
Against a weak opponent at home, put Beasley at left back to push forward more.
This is not the game.
Why Donovan on the left? I guess it really doesn’t matter – it’s a fluid position.
It was said that the “knock” was just a charlie horse.
i would bet on your (ives) lineup happening, this is a good test to see if DMB will be LB for Bradley in Confederations Cup.. I personally do not see him as a LB, but who knows and what i think doesn’t really matter if bradley thinks another way, but i do trust him a bit
Any word on Edu’s injury? Initially, I thought it was just a knock . . . .
I agree with House of Cheese; I’d rather see Paco get the start instead of Mastroeni. On the road in a hostile environment you need to be smart and sharp with possession and I think that Torres is definitely a level above Mastro. But experience counts and Bob will bring Paco in slowly.
This line up makes the most sense given the players available. Spector gets the nodd over Wynn bc he plays against the best attacking players in the world on a weekly basis.
I would expect to see Donovan and Dempsey drift inside alot as we won’t see as much attacking from CM’s until game opens up.
Yeah Torres over Mastroeni, however Bradley should and will start Mastroeni.
You need seasoned, tough-nosed veterans in the midfield in a place like Costa Rica. That’s what he’ll go with Pablo.
First post?
Like the lineup a bunch, but would love to see Edu for Mastro when he’s healthy
Also wouldn’t mind Spector on the left, and Wynne on the right, but I like Beas there too
Ranger’s website says Edu has gone down to London for a second opinion on his knee and the site is saying he is out of the Confrd Cup.
Ives, any speculation if Bob has even considered putting Boca at left back?
I am still not sure that Coach will start Jose. But i think this is the best way to go rather than with one up front.
I’d prefer Torres to Mastroeni, but otherwise that looks good.