Photo by ISIphotos.com
If the U.S. men's national team is to score its first road victory in the CONCACAF Hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying, it will have to do so without Jay DeMerit.
DeMerit was left behind as the team traveled to Trinidad for Wednesday's crucial qualifier due to a groin strain that kept him out of Saturday's win vs. El Salvador. With DeMerit out of the picture, U.S. coach Bob Bradley will have some tough decisions to make.
There are two defensive lineup options that seem to make the most sense for Bradley. One is to pair Oguchi Onyewu with Carlos Bocanegra in central defense, while moving Jonathan Spector to left back and starting Steve Cherundolo. The other would be to use Bocanegra at left back and start Chad Marshall in central defense (with Bradley needing to decide between Spector and Cherundolo at right back).
The first option seems to make the most sense, but the second shouldn't be ruled out. While Marshall struggled against the speedy and shift forwards from El Salvador, he has done well against big athletic forwards like Kenwyne Jones before, most notably in his two successful matches this summer marking Honduras' Carlos Costly. Whether T&T pairs Jones with Bobby Zamora, Jason Scotland or Cornell Glen, Marshall's physical qualities would make any of those a better match-up than he faced vs. El Salvador.
A third option could see Bradley go with Bornstein at left back, with Bocanegra staying in the middle and Spector or Cherundolo playing at right back. As I stated in a piece for ESPN.com, Bornstein provided no evidence on Saturday that he's the answer at left back right now, so if Bradley sticks with him he will open himself up for plenty of criticism. I think Bradley is sharp enough to realize he will need to turn to either Bocanegra or Spector to contend with speedy Trinidad & Tobago winger Carlos Edwards.
Which back four would you like to see the U.S. team use vs. Trinidad & Tobago? Share your thoughts below.
As a new soccer fan I am a little miffed about how to keep track of all the soccer action.
I mean we all (1) root for the US Nat team.
2 Then we might like our local MLS team.
3 And. like me, you have favorite European clubs (Hammarby, Djurgårdens IF)
4 Also, we like to follow Americans playing abroad (like Jozy @ Hull)
5 Also, I keep up with Swedes on big teams like Zlatan on Barc.
THEN we will watch any big Primer L. or Spanish L. game on TV/ESPN 360.
I’ve noticed Mexican L. games are always on TV, so why not follow that to?
not to mention writing on soccer blogs!
Where does it all end? IN FACT when does the soccer season end, does it ever end!?:)
Makes me wonder if the beautiful game ruins beautiful relationships!
@scott47a,
You’re clearly a Bob-glass-half-full kind of guy.
Quick Question: Would you too agree that bunker-ball was the correct gameplan in the 17th minute at Azteca a few weeks back?
Pulling the reins in and calling for a defensive shell against Mexico, at home, so early in the match is beyond baffling.
It ain’t Bob-Hate; it’s recognizing the guy’s shortcomings.
Is their any proof to this injury?
@RLW2020
I like that! i’d switch cooper->Deuce and Holden at Right Mid
@scott47a
i don’t see the problem with 3 at the back. don’t we want our best possible XI in? which would mean if there are injuries, why not switch the formation according to whom we’re playing? if we do the same formation every time it seems too easy for opponents to plan against us.
The Bob Bradley doubters are pretty funny. Many of them insist on players like Cooper and Adu (and then stop mentioning them when it becomes obvious they aren’t really national team quality at this point).
We don’t need to play three at the back and we don’t need a major overhaul with a bunch of MLS-quality players. Things are going well, we are going to qualify easily (perhaps winning the hex) and we have some quality new options to look at between now and next summer.
I think Bradley is doing a fine job and has made the adjustments as time as has gone on. He is starting a 19 year old as one of our strikers and has finally saw fit to show Beasley the door. I have faith we can make waves at the World Cup similar to what we did in Confed.
Sad to see DeMerit miss another game, but hopefully this means we can see Spector at left back.
When will all of these individual debates stop being about “Who @ left back/ Who with MBradley in CM? Who paired with Gooch in CD?” and start being precisely the single question that should be raised:
WHY Bob Bradley as coach?
He’s shown a continual and counterproductive loyalty to Bornstein and various others of “Bob’s Guys” (DMB, Kljestan, Ching, etc)–who should have been ruled out a long time ago; he offers nothing by way of tactics or acumen, and he has made deeply puzzling and downright confused substitutions in the Qual cycle.
The Confed Cup was nothing but fluke and Lady Luck. It wasn’t the result of any master strategy from Bob Bradley.
Ives,
Just read your article on ESPN. Wondering -is the editors of the big sites that insist on always introducing Michael Bradley as,
“Michael Bradley (the coach’s son)”?
Hasn’t he done enough yet to earn himself his own name? Do you think people still need that irrelevant bit of info? If some new kid pops out of nowhere named Jeff Bradly, will he always have to be:
“Jeff Bradley (not the coach’s son)”?
If you wrote that, would you stop doing it? If it’s your editor, would you talk to him about it?
How many crap games does junior Bradley have to play before the media stops making excuses for his obvious lack of presence in the central midfield? We need to seriously look at what our options are for 2010.
MB is not the answer. He can’t get game for club. When was the last time he played 90 minutes for ‘Bach since he’s been there? He plays 90 every game for the USMNT consistently (as long as he’s not suspended).
What’s our answer?
I dunno…but, it’s not Michael Bradley.
Three and out in 2010.
@Leonardo
good point.. i don’t really see it happening but what if someday we have a few injuries on the back line and we can play Edu and Jones as defensive midfielders allowing only 3 on the back line and 3 up top. could make for an interesting match.
Cooper–Altadore–Davies—–
—-Donovan—Dempsey—–
—-Jones————-Edu—
-Spector–Gooch–Demerit-
———Howard————
not very realistic.. but hey isnt this basically the format of many MLS teams? and watching 3 strikers plus donovan and dempsey would be fun.
I prefer your first option, but the second is fine too.
Anyone but Bornstein.
does it always have to be 4? i’d like 3 with Boca-Gooch-Spector …
if so, keep Spector at the right so he gets used to it. i don’t like moving him around so much. defense needs to have chemistry, and moving ’em around so much ain’t great.
Dolo-Boca-Gooch-Spector
Also how was Castillo approved before Jones, I thought and read that Castillo just submitted his papers while Jones did a while ago.
can we wear the all whites again?
we just dont play well in the blue shorts
Coach needs to find a way to get Holden and Rogers on the field. Tow of the hottest players in the MLS right now.
Posted by: tomR142 | September 07, 2009 at 07:28 PM
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How about starting Hansel @ striker, he’s so hot right now.
bonecollector- my bad, i was thinking of the upcoming T+T game. USA el salvador IS on espn 360 if you get it, but justin.tv is live streaming so that wouldn’t work.
bonecollector- check and see if you get espn 360. the game will be on there. if not, justin.tv has usually worked for me.
any place I can watch the full us vs. el salvador match online?
When does Todd Dunivant get called in to play left back. Obviously it’s too late now for the T&T game. I don’t know anything about Castillo so I can’t say who’s better, But the way Dunivant has been playing for the Galaxy he deserves to get a call. He also played well against AC Milan and Barcelona. I know those games were exhibition games but he still played well against two top European teams.
Given that T&T has Jones up top, I’d go with Gooch and Marshall in central defense and slide Boca out to the left back spot. I like Spector a lot at right back, but not at left back.
If Davies can’t go, move Dempsey up to striker and give Holden the start out wide. Between Holden and Spector, that’s two players who can serve up dangerous crosses from the right, making it more difficult for T&T to mark when they’re making overlapping runs.
As for Castillo, I hope we take max points from the next couple of games so he can get some qualifying action, but I don’t want to see him (or any other newbies) play until we’ve more or less punched our ticket to SA.
Castillo is not eligible as the roster was submitted days ago.
“The other would be to use Bocanegra at left back and start Chad Marshall in central defense (with Bradley needing to decide between Spector and Cherundolo at right back).”
Ives, This makes sense as the left mid will need to help no matter who plays LB, so why not Boca?
(SBI-The logic here is that Bocanegra is a better centerback than Marshall and Spector is quicker at left back than Bocanegra and therefore better equipped to deal with Carlos Edwards. I suppose it depends on what one thinks of Chad Marshall. I happen to think he’s a solid option who simply had a few rough moments vs. El Salvador. I would personally keep Spector on the right flank. He’s as good defensively as Cherundolo but his service has been quality for a while now.)
tom that wont happen unless BB uses a 3-5-2
Marshall Gooch Boca
Holden bradley donovan clark rogers
Dempsey Altidore
When can Castillo play?
i dont mind marshall in the middle…
as far as the outside defenders, i like Bornsteins pace, but feel more confident about him starting with Gooch in the middle. The back right should be Spectors as long as he is in game form..
Coach needs to find a way to get Holden and Rogers on the field. Tow of the hottest players in the MLS right now.
I expect to see a number of different faces from Saturday. BB has shown consistently that he picks line-ups with thought to BOTH games of the paired qualifiers. I expect Dolo back and Rico in the middle with Benny coming off the bench. Expect to see Ching with one of the two first-team forwards coming in late to poach a goal.
Castillo approved. I’m not saying he is the best option but is he an option or are rosters final when they are made?
if boca indeed moves to LB and marshall at CB paired with gooch i wouldnt mind seeing Holden at RM with Dempsey up top Davies (jozy 2nd half sub). Holden will have absoulte monsters to deliver crosses to in the air on set pieces. Dempsey, boca, gooch,marshall, jozy are all fantasic headers of the ball.
While Carlos Edwards’ speed is a threat, T&T’s main weapon is Kenwyne Jones, who big, strong, quick. When the ball is in the air, he’s as good as any center forward in the EPL. I’d play Gooch and Marshall in the middle, with Boca at LB and Spector on the right.
If Davies cant go 90min, I’d like to see Dempsey up top and Holden on the right wing. I think that gives the team more balance and pace on the flanks.
I’m hearing that Edgar Castillo’s has been cleared to play with the US as of today.
“Bocanegra is still failing to close down attackers in and around his own box. Marshall challenged for the header that scored El Salvador’s goal, but Bocanegra was stuck in no-man’s-land… again… and again… and again.
Putting him at left fullback isn’t a great idea, but if he has to play, then I’d rather see him wide on the left with Marshall and Gooch together in the center.
But I think that means we have no left-footed players on the field….
Posted by: Scott in Houston | September 07, 2009 at 05:53 PM ”
———–
Scott,
Normally, I’d second your motion, I think boca is destined for the bench in the near future…but not in this game with Gooch and Marshell never having worked together (by the way Boca is left footed)
Count me in the Spector on the left, Dolo on the right Gooch/Boca pairing as the best option. They tell me Spector is two footed, though in the 2 games for West ham earlier, I can’t recall a cross he sent in from the left
But Marshall in the middle against THIS team wouldn’t scare me; they are big and physical and he would match up well.
does somebody replace him on the roster or do they just cope?
i think they just cope right..??… if they can call in another if i were bradley i would honestly call in orozco in replacement and while im at it in mexico replace bornstein with castillo….THAT is if they can or will replace Demerit/make roster changes
If they dont make any changes i like the following line up….
Howard-GK, Goochi-CB, Marshall-CB, Jon the spectator-RB, Boca-LB, Rico-DM, Junior mint-DM, Deuce-RAM, LandyCake-LAM, Davies-LS, Altidore-RS
This choice is obvious to me:
Spector – Bocanegra – Onyewu – Cherundolo
BTW, I’m not the same Paul who already agreed with Barksdale abut this back line.)
Any news about Davies? If he can’t start, I can envision a front line of Altidore and Dempsey, with Holden starting at right mid.
Terrible news. Gotta go with Boca and Gooch in the middle, Spector and Dolo on the outside.
Boca doesn’t offer anything going forward, not that he has to with Donovan in front of him lighting the stage on fire. But Spector is used to the England system, which utilizes fullbacks better than any other league.
I hope he gets better before the next round of games.
Yeah, Bornstein’s time is certainly up in my book as well. I’m looking forward to having Castillo in this spot, although he hasn’t had enough time to be with the team to make immediate impact. One can only wonder.
Chad Marshall
As far as I’m concerned Bornstein should never where the national team shirt again. He has been given a million chances to prove himself, and he’s terrible. The only positive I can say about him is that I once saw him match pace with Messi (although Messi was dribbling at the time, so what’s the big deal).
Bornstein was horrific last game, he needs to be removed from the national team pool asap.
Is Zamora actually going to play? He wasn’t in the Honduras game. I’m a bit worried he can get through our defense with DeMerrit out of the picture. I have faith in the guys but this is definitely the biggest test yet. No win here and we can look forward to a game against Colombia/Ecuador/Argentina.
I agree with everyone else. Marshall should stay on the bench for this.
David Regis
there is no decision that needs to be made between Spector and Cherundolo… it’s obviously Spector
I’m watching the game again now. I’m interested in answering a couple questions:
1. Exactly how bad were Bornstein, Bradley, Spector, and Dempsey (since that’s who keeps getting picked on in previous threads)?
Bornstein is looking simply awful in the replay. He’s offering nothing going forward and is Beasley-like in his lax defending. He isn’t closing down attackers!
Bradley isn’t looking nearly as poor as I first thought. It’s important to note that many of his give-aways are on attacking passes and/or in the attacking third.
Spector looks hesitant to attack, but with Dempsey playing lazily in front of him, allowing way too much space behind himself, who can blame Spector? He looks better with Holden in front of him.
2. Of the central defenders, who would you rather have, Marshall or Bocanegra?
Bocanegra is still failing to close down attackers in and around his own box. Marshall challenged for the header that scored El Salvador’s goal, but Bocanegra was stuck in no-man’s-land… again… and again… and again.
Putting him at left fullback isn’t a great idea, but if he has to play, then I’d rather see him wide on the left with Marshall and Gooch together in the center.
But I think that means we have no left-footed players on the field….
Spector–Bocanegra–Onyewu–Cherundolo.
Boco and Gooch have the best understanding with one another. Dolo on the right and Spector on the left are the best available options remaining.
Gotta agree with Barksdale there.
bornstein is obviously not the answer…i like marshall, but throwing him out there in a must-win road qualifier may be risky, yet doing so keeps spector’s great service on the right side….if it were my call, i’d play spector, boca, gooch, and dolo…
Just no Beckerman!! added nothing last game
Too bad about Demerit.
Spector—Boca—-Gooch—-Stevie
too bad.. get well soon. i think that we will be okay in TT with Marshall or Dolo. do we get to add a player to the roster? prob not..