While the pain is still fresh from its 3-1 loss to Italy on Monday, the U.S. men's national team must turn its attention to mighty Brazil, which the Americans face on Thursday (9:55 am, ESPN2) in their second Confederations Cup match.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley will have to make at least one change to the lineup that pushed Italy for much of Monday's match, with midfielder Ricardo Clark set to serve his one-game suspension for a red card. That change isn't likely to be the only one as Bradley looks for the right combination to best a Brazilian team the Americans lost to, 4-2, back in 2007.
There are plenty of questions to be asked heading into Friday's match. Should Benny Feilhaber stay in the lineup? Should Bradley consider playing Carlos Bocanegra at left back and keeping Jay DeMerit in the lineup? Which midfielder will step in for Clark? Should the USA play a 4-4-2 or try a 4-3-3?
Here is one possible lineup we could see Bradley use when the Americans face Brazil:
Projected USA lineup vs. Brazil
————–Altidore——–Davies—————–
Donovan———————————–Dempsey
————-Bradley———-Feilhaber————-
Bornstein—Bocanegra—–Onyewu——-Spector
———————–Howard———————–
So why this lineup? Let's start with Feilhaber getting the nod over the likes of Torres and Kljestan. Bob Bradley will look to keep things compact defensively and Feilhaber is the best-suited to the task of playing alongside Bradley. Torres is someone I want to see play more, but not in this match and not in the role Bradley needs. Same goes for Kljestan, who doesn't have the defensive qualities Feilhaber can bring to the table.
Up top we have Altidore and Davies. I see Bradley matching up a 4-4-2 against Brazil's 4-4-2 and he doesn't have a target forward who can hope to battle the likes of Juan and Lucio. His best bet is to have Davies speed to run off Altidore. It has been stated repeatedly that Altidore isn't the ideal target striker, but he sure held up well against Italy, though he still doesn't have the passing touch or vision you would like. Also, by starting two forwards, the U.S. team forces attack-happy Lucio to stay home and defend, whereas a 4-2-3-1 would give the Bayern defender chances to sneak into the attack.
The defense is probably the toughest situation to sort out. I happen to think Jonathan Bornstein did well against Italy and should get the nod here. I know there's some clamoring for Carlos Bocanegra to be used at left back in order to slide Jay DeMerit into central defense, but I think Bradley will want some speed at left back to deal with Elano and Dani Alves. This is a reason why it wouldn't shock me if Beasley got the call at left back. I also think Bradley will want his two best centerbacks in position to deal with whoever Dunga starts up top.
That's something else to consider heading into Friday's match. Will Dunga rest some starters ahead of the final group match against Italy on Sunday? Or will field a full-strength team vs. the Americans?
Here is Brazil's first-choice group:
————Robinho———Fabiano——————-
——Kaka—————————–Elano———–
———Gilberto Silva——-Felipe Melo————-
Kleber——Lucio————-Juan——–Dani Alves
———————Julio Cesar—————————
Dunga could go with Alexandre Pato in place of Robinho or Fabiano, Ramires in place of Elano, Josue instead of Gilberto Silva. Either way, Brazil will come at the Americans with an interchangeable attacking front four and overlapping fullbacks.
Kaka drives the Brazil attack and Michael Bradley will be tasked to try and deal with his creativity, speed and vision. It might sound like a tall order but it shouldn't be forgotten that one of Bradley's breakout games early in his national team career was in the U.S. team's loss to Brazil in September of 2007.
One thing is certain. The U.S. team will have chances to score. Brazil's attacking style leaves it open to counters and players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore need to be ready to pounce when those chances come. The Americans didn't finish great chances in the first half against Italy that could have put that match away. They can't afford to let that happen again.
What do you think of the U.S. team's chances vs. Brazil? What starting lineup and formation are you hoping to see? Do you like the lineup suggested above? What do you think the score will be?
Share your thoughts below.
off topic but north korea qualified for the world cup
Bench Dempsey
Clint is finished
Put Torres on the wing instead of Dempsey
Dempsey has had it
In Response to these Comments or those similar to them:
I love USA Soccer. I love it. I absolutely love it. I love the players, I love the atmosphere (especially in Columbus!), I love the attitude of some of our guys, and I love the effort we display even when we are in a tough fix. However, boneheaded comments like this are what I hate the most. As a student in England, I hear my fair share of derogatory remarks in regards to Americans and their knowledge of the world’s game. Usually, I just laugh them off and move on. Lately, I have been defending our fanbase, citing this blog and the people who post on it as glaring examples of how we are coming along as a football culture. Now, however, I can see where the stereotypes are coming from…
Some of you people have no idea how the game of football is played, how certain players fit into certain systems, how hard it is to maintain form from the club level and the international level, how tactics play a part in personnel decisions, how conditions effect game decisions, etc etc etc. That being said, let me address the real reason why the English don’t think us “Yanks” know anything about the game.
Look no further than the Dempsey bashing. What on Earth is going on? The second a player slumps, has a bad game, or even makes a single mistake you are calling for the head of that person! This is absolutely ridiculous. First it was the cries to bench Heath Pierce and put in DaMarcus Beasley at LB. The majority of you blow hards where calling for BB’s head on a American flag pole for not trying this last year. Then, you were more incensed when he had the nerve to play Bornstein, who many of you called “unskilled” and portrayed him as a hack. Then, when Beasley finally started at LB, you same people flip-flopped once the results didn’t go a certain way. Some of you are fickle to the point of mental illness, and I feel so sorry that the players of American soccer have to subject themselves to this rag tag excuse of a fanbase. In the matter of Dempsey, there is NOBODY on our squad with the skill set and the attacking capabilities of Dempsey, never mind the improved defense that he has brought this year after being a spotty defender at best last campaign. You lads should be ashamed of yourselves. If all you want to do is look for reasons to fire the manager, then maybe you should keep it on a facebook group or something. If you want to Rossi bash, blame clint dempsey, bemoan Sunil, demand the starting of the latest untested rookie, and b*tch and moan everytime the USA loses to a WORLD CLASS TEAM when down to 10 MEN, then whatever. But know that if you do this, then you are the reason American soccer is viewed as a joke despite a 14th Fifa ranking placement.
For those of you who are good fans, who attend games, watch at home, and generally want GOOD things to happen for the USA then I applaud you. Critical thinking is part of the game, and I’m not suggesting rosebushes and cherry trees be stated when the glaringly obvious is before us. We need to improve, that much is clear. Some of your posts actually motivate me to watch the game closer, and you are great fans. Keep it up, and I know the US appreciates it.
To those of you spammers who call yourselves fans, I’d rather you not even watch. Disgraceful.
—————————Davis—————————–
Beasley—Adu–Kljesten—-Feilhaber—Dempsey ———-Pearce—Califf—DeMerit—Wynne————
—————————Guzan——————————-
bench dempsey…..goodness the things i read on here sometimes.
I suggest…
——————-Altidore———————-
—Adu———— Donovan———–Dempsey—-
———Bradley————-Feilhaber————-
—Bornstein—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—-Spector—–
I think this game is the perfect chance for Freddy Adu. I know I have debated the legitimacy of his contention for a serious starting role on a regular basis, which some of you are bent upon, but I think a game against Brasil will bring the best out of the youngster (see U-20 WC game, in which the likes of Pato, Jo, played). I think putting Landon in a CAM role to run off of Altidore, who held up nicely against Italy as Ives said earlier, will do wonders against a Brasil team that sometimes gives up space before the box. I like the back four, although our flanker will surely be tested. I think Spector can cement his role through 2010 with a good performance here, and Bornstein can put a hold as the first choice LB as well. More importantly, however, we must possess well throughout from box to box, meaning no turnovers in the midfield that lead to breaking goals. Brasil i lethal from anywhere, especially on a quick counter. I will kill myself if we give up more goals at distance via a failure to close down the man. Last, we must finish our set piece chances, which I believe could be there with Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan, and Adu all on the attack in the final 3rd. Their creativity could set us up for many chances, but we HAVE TO CONVERT THEM!!! No more sky balls into the stands for fan keepsakes.
Oh, and SHOOT WHEN IN THE BOX WITH THE BALL AT YOUR FEET ONE ON ONE WITH THE KEEPER!!!
4-3-3? Have you lost your mind, Ives?
4-5-1 (4-2-3-1).
———-Howard———–
Spector–Gooch–JDM–Bocenegra
——Bradley—Feilhaber—-
Dempsey—Donovan—–Adu/Torres
———-Altidore———-
Maybe switch Adu/Torres with LD. But BB will do something way dumber.
Adu time. If there was ever a game to start Adu, this would be the one. He will raise his game to show he can play with the best.
I also wouldn’t mind seeing Demerit stay in the line up.
Hey, someone is censoring my opinion! Brazil 6 x 0 USA.
Watch Danny Alves tomorrow- the guy is best attacking defender in the world bar none.
Let’s just play well with a lot of energy.Considering we don’t have one player except for Howard that would make their squad, let alone their top 50 players,a close, hard fought game will satisfy me.
(Maybe Gooch makes their top 50 and possibly Bradley because Dunga loves hard tackling defensive midfielders)
Dear everyone,
Freddy Adu will not start let alone play in this match. He is way too out of form.
As far as lineups are concerned, I’d go with Ives, except with Donovan on the right and Torres on the left
Nathan I was unnaware of that info, Adu needs to develope into something more than a mere promise, I hope to see him doing well anywhere, I don’t care if its in Spain or in France, however, Torres is a reality, he had a great season with Pachuca.
yo who was it that sais adu’s pace was a liability earlier? that’s pure madness. not only does the kid have wheels, but he’s just as quick with the ball at his feet. ludicrous comment.
The US lineup doesn’t matter. Brazil 6 (at least) x 0 USA
I know…..Adu shows Up and we need him Vs Brazil……….
Alex G, Villareal and a few other Primera Spanish Division teams are very interested in Adu…… It looks like that gamewhere he outplayed Spains World Clas defenders got the Primera divionsion going “i want that kid.
Please play Adu………..his exclusions are becoming absurd.
Guys, Deportivo la Coruña is interested in Torres, well, as I said before, he’s a great player…
BOB BRADLEY!!!
IF Brazil inserts any American weapons during the second half.. Mark them out of the game
cubkid I agree……………Adu and Donovan work well togehter…..Adu and Altidore work well together……Adu and Bradley work well together…..Adua nd kjletsan work well together……….It sees to be like Adu could be the missing puzzle piece vs italy….I mean watching Adu vs Spain and Argentina( I was present in the stands) Adu was just fantastic and deserves more from favoritism Bob.
howard
spector–onyewu–boca–pearce
adu–bradley–sasha–torres
dono
jozy
ko’d, you are 100% right.
Metaphysically speaking your perspective is the ONLY way for things to improve. All this negativity only leads to negative results. Case in point: who are the two players for Italy we love to hate and would most least like to score against us? Rossi and deRossi, that’s right. And who scored against us? People…you get what you give. Start giving support.
THAT’S HOW “THE 12th MAN” PHENOMENOM WORKS!
I Agree, Adu has too much confidence,creativity, and skill to be left on the bench
Jonny T,
You jumped to a conclusion that I simply did not or would not make. I, for example, think that Beasley hasn’t played a decent game in a MNT uniform in at least 6 games. He may still have the work rate, but his sharpness and his passing (yikes) have been poor. I don’t think that he should get called into camp again for a while.
I also think that Dempsey needs a rest, although I agree that there aren’t too many people that have proven they can step in and do the job. I hated Bradley’s decision to bring Conor Casey in for the Confederation’s Cup, and if I never see Pablo Mastroeni in a U.S. uniform again, I am just fine with that.
But I would not even suggest that failure to heed my words automatically dooms the MNT against Brazil. This idea that the U.S. will never win the big games and will get crushed by any team in the top 25 and not in CONCACAF is bogus. Cheer for your team. Don’t expect them to lose. I don’t care if Yankees fans and Red Sox fans do that (although I doubt they do). And England fans EXPECT their team to win, and the critiques follow. The commenters that I refer to here are simply resigned to some “fact” that the U.S. will lose certain games. I bet they cheer really loudly when watching the game.
I am not pretentious, and I don’t look down my nose at anyone. I think it is clear that the people who understand what I have said today agree with me. I just can’t bear the sight of another “fan” declaring that we will lose by X goals tomorrow.
Again, and for the last time, we SHOULD offer critiques, and we can discuss line-ups and whether the team is in the right formation to be successful. Isn’t that why we all look at this blog? But enough with the doom and gloom, “we’re going to get our butts kicked.” In the end, real fans support the team, even if they disagree with how it is put together.
Oh, and I have no clue where you and understood get the “everyone’s a winner” and “let’s eat orange slices” trash. I never said that. Never even implied it. You are diverting attention from the substance of my argument, and your attempt is pretty transparent.
Go U.S.A.
4-2-3-1 as follows:
——————Altidore——————
Adu————-Donovan———-Torres
———-Bradley——-Wynne———–
Bornstein–Onyewu–DeMerit–Spector
——————-Howard——————-
Maybe even Davies on the right for Torres.
I know he’s out of position, but BB’s going
to have to gamble a little.
Adu should start
Gotta agree with lprevolution – Dempsey is a wide player. He thrives against the touch line. His sensibilities betray him in the middle of the pitch; he comes in the middle to help, but the lack of directional orientation makes him look a fool sometimes.
Along the touch lines those same sensibilities make him a monster.
Not an “EPL stand-out” mind you, but someone who can go toe to toe with world class players. Out wide.
To me, it’d be nice to see:
—————-Howard—————
Spector–Onyewu–Bocanegra–Bornstein
—————Bradley—————
Dempsey———————–Donovan
———Kljestan—–Torres———
—————Altidore————–
Too bad it won’t happen
ko’d, I totally disagree with you, we may not know more than the guys in South Africa but everybody has seen the last 4 US games, I personally think they suck… It is unnacceptable to loose against C.R. and to give away a one goal lead against anybody, I personally don’t care if that team is Italy, Brazil or whatever, we are the US and this team is not making us very proud lately… Go USA
Seems about the right line-up, though I wonder whether Demerit should be in the back.
Also, I’d favor a 4-2-3-1 over a 4-2-2-2 – Davies playing back behind Jozy and more available for combination with Dempsey & Donovan, or Torres in that spot behind Jozy. We need to have some feet available for combination play in the middle of the forward 3rd – the direct/through ball approach to a forward is predictable and a bit of a long shot. I believe Clint and Landon have quality – give them some good feet to work with, and they could put a Brazilian defense into a spot of bother and maybe create some good opportunities.
———-Altidore————
Donovan——Torres——-Dempsey
——-Bradley——-Feilhaber——–
Bornstein—Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Spector
—————Howard————–
Let’s see Benny pull a “Rossi” on Brazil
Know what I hate ko’d and TimN?
Pretentious know-it-alls who look down their noses at other fans venting justifiable frustration. Of course some people go too far, but we can’t make the MNT like T-Ball or something where “everyone’s a winner” and we pat ourselves on the back because we’re better today than we were in the 80s. We have to keep asking for more.
I get annoyed by the “Bradley/________ sucks” posts too, but what if Bradley or whoever DOES suck? Better to know that and fix it sooner rather than later.
You can’t please all the people all the time, but when you can’t please anybody…that’s a problem. I gave Bradley a pass for a long time, and I don’t think he should be fired yet, but I’m getting there – hopefully we learn some things one way or the other over the remainder of this tournament and the next one.
Brazil is tired. Explore it.
After grueling SA qualifying and travel, coupled with its approach to the game, the numbers show that Brazil has run the less in the first match of the tournament…
País Metros
Italia 109,210
Nova Zelândia 107,975
Estados Unidos 105,240
Espanha 103,638
Iraque 102,665
Ãfrica do Sul 102,304
Egito 98,684
Brasil 98,065
Now, New Zealand is living proof that running alone does not win matches. However, the Brazil camp has admitted that they lacked legs in game 1…
Adu needs to play.
Im agreeing with the importance of Adu………Adu is waiting for his chance, and hes the best big-game mentality we got…..also this is an expieremtal tornament in a way so Aduand maybe Torres should be Starting.
Bradley has to assume that Brazil will have the large majority of the possession thus the US will be on defense most of the time. I venture that Wynne and M Bradley will start just in front of the back 4 leaving Adu on the left and Torres on the right to bring the ball forward along Brazil’s exposed flanks. Altidore upfront to head down the ball to Landon for a shot at goal. Don’t see the US creating many chances through the middle. Dempsey on for Torres after 60 min and, God forbid I say this, Beasley on for Adu after 65 mins. In this game, speed is essential.
——————-Altidore—————-
Beasley————Dempsey———-Donovan
————Bradley——-Feilhaber——–
Bornstein—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu—-Spector
———————Howard—————-
I forgot to add, as long as it’s not Beasley. If people think Dempsey is done, Beasley is even more done
I think BB will sub Sasha for Clark and leave everything else the same. I don’t think he likes Torres game and most likely never will. He seems to favor bangers and muckers over skilled players.
Torres would have been a good choice in the middle against Italy. With their lack of pace and his ball handling, he would have done well and we might have actually scored off the run of play
Observations
I wonder how the US would do against Brasil if they deliberately came out and played very physically. I have the sense that Brasil would react badly to getting knocked around. The style of play I have in mind is like the game against Mexico a couple of years ago when Gooch manhandled Borgetti for 90 min and took the Mexican star completely out of the match.
After reading all the posts from KO’d, Understood, Yossarian and others, it seems the debate about how to assess the performance of BB and the individual players boils down to whether you grade on a curve or not. When compared to Kaka, Torres, Puyol, etc. our players don’t deserve 7’s. But is it fair or even helpful to use such a grading scale? The USMNT isn’t of that quality (yet!) and shouldn’t we grade them against their own highest potential? We should care if our players equal or exceed their potential and are improving over time, so that in 2010 or 2014 we can realistically expect to get to the quarter finals or beyond. We should care whether or not the soccer IQ of each player is improving match to match or regressing. If a player or coach does something careless or stupid, criticism is legitimate. If such carelessness, stupidity, or lack of form are consistent and continuing, we should demand that the player be replaced. I don’t mind holding the USMNT to a high standard – just make it the right standard.
Beyond that, it’s not unfair to expect US fans to be constructive and supportive in their comments. If an Italy fan wants to come on the board and try to start a food fight, there’s not much to do about it. But if you are a US supporter, let’s keep our eye on the ball – support the team and keep moving forward in improving US soccer from U8 to the USMNT.
I’m of the opinion that the US cannot afford to play defensively against Brasil. We should attack from the very beginning with the goal of keeping the ball in their defensive third or in the middle third. We will need to move the ball quickly with a minimum of dribbling or holding the ball and 30 yard passes to attackers running diagonals should be employed.
I Say,
If the USA goes 0-3
Fire Bradley..Someone by the name of Jeurgen Klinssman is unemployed
I Agree Joe which is why i would Start Adu….i think the brainwash against Adu with these lame made-up excuses as too why he cant get more US playing time is gettting out of hand and its becoming funny(in a sad way)
Madmax…………so you going to rate who should play on Ives ratings………we all know those are juiced up to favor Bradley’s favorites and downgrade his non-favorites……..Which is why even if Adu(or Torres) is the best player on the field..ives will give them a lower rating and Bradley,clark,kjlestan, will get high ratings..lol.
Those Weil Coerver videos are awesome!
I highly recommend them to any new coach. I learned a lot from them myself.
Exactly– we’re so lacking in fundamentals.
If Bradley and Altidore don’t have confidence in their left feet, at least have the moxy to use the outside of your right.
Weil Coerver would just cry at the sight of our technique.
Here’s a way to keep from having such large open spaces and to give Altidore some help with the longball game.
——-Casey———Altidore
————–Donovan———–
——–Torres————Adu
—————Bradley————-
Bornstein—Bocanegra—–Onyewu—-Spector
————–Howard——————-
Based on performance and Ives ratings both Kljestan and Beasley should start.
I remember for the Argentina game last year Genoa was watching an Argentina player and then they saw Adu and then wanted him on-loan………i wonder if Genoa is one of the teams trying to get Adu.
“Trent and Understood make sense. Others seem to have their honeymoon glasses on.”
Posted by: IMissBruceArena | June 17, 2009 at 11:51 AM
—————————————–
No, here is the problem: (examples)
“A Bob Bradley-led team will never win the big games. Especially against Italy or Brazil. I TOLD you all that the U.S. would lose to Italy, and they did, 3-1. And if Bradley trots out Dempsey again and doesn’t put Torres in the line-up, we are going to get killed. In fact, I guarantee we will lose to Brazil by at LEAST 3 goals.”
vs.
“I am concerned about Deuce’s fitness after the long season, and he has made some huge mistakes the past couple of games. Others may disagree and think that he is covering a lot of ground, but I think he is burned out. Let’s get some fresh legs out there: torres, adu, somebody to provide a spark so we can take it to the Brazilians tomorrow.”
Trent, Understood, Sonicdeathmonkey, et al…if you can’t tell the difference between those two comments, let me enlighten you. The second comment is why we have soccer blogs. The first comment illustrates my arguments thus far this morning.
The smart thing to do would be to pull a ‘Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea vs Everton’s right back’ strategy.
We’re not getting past Danny Alves. I don’t know much about Kleber, but it would probably be smart to choose that side and just throw everything we’ve got into that one side, keeping the game behind Kaka. If he and Robinho link up more than a handful of times we’re toast.
Bring in freaking Adu for goodness sake! We’ve got nothing else to lose!
how about…
FWD: CASEY, ALTIDORE
CAM: DUECE
LM: DONOVAN, RM: DAVIES
CDM: BRADLEY
DEF: BOCA, GOOCH, DEMERIT, SPECTOR
…Lets try and score some goals
Dear Bob: Stop having a double standard since you played your son alote in 2007 Gold Cup when he was getting no starts for Heerenveen and Play Adu…since Benfica and Monaco are much harder teams to play for.