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.
J. Mama
Mexico scored the winner in the 80-something minute. Two attacking subs in the 60th or so minute, when the score was tied, tells me he was going for it. If he wanted to go for the tie he would have sent on two destroyers; actually that might have been the way to go.
As for Bradley not being the best coach around, I’ll agree with that but:
(1)This team is now better off than it was under Arena in 2006. Is that Bradley’s credit or just good timing? I don’t know but I’m pretty tired of people blaming him for everything they perceive to be bad and not giving him credit for any of the perceived good. You can’t have it both ways.
(2)The US probably can’t draw a top notch guy like Cappello or Hiddink at this time for any number of reasons, mostly having to do with power sharing and the like. Given that is it worth drawing in some coach just because he is a foreigner? Carlos Queiroz (Man. U, Portugal)was touted as a high powered choice and I notice Portugal are about to crash out of the the World Cup.
(3)The USA talent pool is getting better but so is everyone else’s. Do me a favor and compare the professional resumes of the US Confed Cup roster with the professional resumes of Spain’s and Brazil’s teams for the same tournament. Then tell me we had any business finishing where we did. Tell me that Bradley had absolutely nothing to do with the success of that tournament. And then tell me that he had nothing to do with the fact that we will probably qualify for 2010. Then explain to me why, if he had nothing to do with those successes,then why don’t we just fire him and appoint Ives as coach for a lot less money. Obviously, the team runs itself.
I happen to think Bradley is gone after WC 2010 regardless of how well or poorly they play, so give the man some credit and let him finish out the string. At least we don’t have Maradona running us.
Anybody worried about Zamora…looks like he was left off the 18 player match day vs. USA. Kenwyne Jones is on and so is Jlloyd Samuel so they’re coming to play it looks like, of course its not a very deep pool in T&T.
Tom, I’ve posted here for much longer than you think. I’ve been on this site from the beginning and posted while Ives was working thru the NJ newspaper.
Yes Bradley jr earned his spot for MB, after the winter break, he was a consistent started for a team just above the relegation zone last season.
I think the nepotism thing is not necessarily the reason why he plays, but it could have something to do with the amount of game he gets when he is not contributing on the field.
If he’s one of the best players we have, then I/we shouldn’t expect too much from our national team
ACES, for someone who barely posts on here you have a lot to say to people who have posted on SBI from the beginning (Joamiq).
If you’re going to try and paint a picture, at least get your facts straight. Bradley was a last-minute acquisition by Moenchengladbach at the transfer deadline last year, which means the Bundesliga season had already begun (It was three games into the season actually). It took him some time to get settled but he eventually did settle and become one of the team’s best players. Bradley started 19 straight games and all but two of the last 27 to finish the Bundesliga season for Moenchengladbach, and played 90 minutes in 17 of his last 18 matches. Hardly the stats of someone who didn’t have a key role.
As for this year, BM has had four (not five) league matches and Bradley started two, missed one due to a swine flu quarantine and missed another due to a reported suspension. Could he wind up fighting for minutes? Of course, that’s what European soccer is about, but he’s had two very good European seasons the past two years and just turned 22 years old this summer.
Sad thing is it sure seems like some folks were waiting for MB to have a few subpar games in order to jump all over him and say he shouldn’t play. The kid is one of the best players we have, period. That’s why he plays, not because of who his father is. Anyone who thinks otherwise is pretty clueless.
Marshall. To me he seems to be 3rd choice center back for 2010. When one of the CBs goes down with an injury or a card, we need Marshall to have played as many meaningful international minutes as possible.
I agree with Joa Mama. I’ve never thought BB was the right man for the job. No international experience to move our program forward. In fact, we do not have a US coach that can move the program further than where we are now.
BB’s most glaring issue are his in-game tactics, with far to many examples to post here.
The program is treading water and not moving forward with Bradley and Gulati in place.
Spector crosses beautifully from the right side. I haven’t seen him from the left.
By the way, jimmygreaves, I’ve never called Bradley an “idiot”, nor is it the case that I hate the man.
We don’t know each other. I’ve never bumped into the man at Starbucks. It ain’t personal.
I just don’t think he’s the right man for the job–never have, as he has consistently emphasized a style of soccer that discourages attack. Defense will only get you so far. You need to cultivate offense.
If you have a decent offense, you don’t have to place all your chips in defending and predictably breaking on the ocassional counter.
@jimmygreaves
Fair point, but I’d mention that Bob, in his questionable wisdom, didn’t bring them on until the 60th minute. He was clearly playing for nothing more than a single point as the US scored in the 9th minute, and Mexico responded in the 19th. If you’re going for a win, you don’t leave Holden and Benny on the bench until the 60th in the heat and smog of Azteca.
If it’s possession we want, and I agree with you there, you bring Benny on much, much earlier.
Mexico played well, no doubt. That’s no excuse for the US folding after the 19th minute.
HEY GUYS, Sorry if this is not OK on here, but, I have the presale code for tickets for the Costa Rica game. Search Ticketmaster for the event, but when you get to the event page the presale password is — USACOMMITTED
Got some amazing seats right at 10 AM.
I really do apologize, just trying to help my fellow American fans out
Hate to say it – as I don’t think he will or should make the WC roster if we get in (Im not even sure he’s healthy), but I wish Heydude was called up. He’s a safe bet to play the left side in a pinch – and shut down Carlos Edwards.
Although he wouldn’t add too much offensively, he’s still got the pace to stick with Edwards.
I’d keep Boca in the middle with Gooch and take a stab with Dolo and Spector.
Anyone but Bornstein. He has shown repeatedly that he is not up to the task at the international level. Marshall has shown that he is no more than a substitute (if that). Any combo of Gooch, Cherudulo, Specter and Bocanegra will do.
“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.-Joe Mama”
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Mama- Bunker ball called for by Bradley? Then why were his two subs Benny and Holden? Two of our best attacking players. The strategy failed because the US was unable to hold possession and Mexico played out of their minds. I guess you’d rather call Bradley an idiot than give Mexico credit for outplaying the US. Still if Charlie Davis had not had a haircut, we might have tied that game near the end from Holden’s cross.
@ Joe Mama
These are two questions I love to ask Bradley-bashers:
1) Whose available right now and will immediately do a better job? And please don’t say the incredibly over-rated Klinnsman.
2) What is the realistic expectation level for this team next year at the World Cup? I honestly believe they can make quarter-finals, MAYBE the semis with a favorable draw, luck, playing out of their minds, etc. And you are telling me after what we saw at the CC this year the US can’t make the Quarters with Bradley??
The fact of the matter is people here seem to over-rate our own players’ abilities, which on the grand scale of world talent is still just good, not great, and under-rate the manager for not chopping and changing at will like they would like and playing whatever formation they prefer.
I want the strating 11 from the Con Fed Cup. But since Jay is out I say Dolo on the right Spector on the left and Carlos in the middle.
No-brainer, which inevitably means that Bob will make the wrong decision. The only way to go is Cherundolo at RB, and Spector at LB. Accordingly, either Marshall or Bornstein will appear instead.
Spector—Boca—-Gooch—-Stevie
ACES: Bradley consistently started and went 90 last season. The last time he did so was a month ago. Since then he’s been tactically subbed out a couple of times and was left out of the squad once by his coach because he didn’t like how Bradley responded to being subbed out. The coach said that he only did it because he sees Bradley as an important but young player and wanted him to get his head straight. It’s obvious that he’s an integral part of the BMG team and will usually be in the first XI.
For future reference, next time, try to figure out what’s going on before you spout off and make yourself look stupid.
If the Bradley haters had their way, one bad game for the MNT from anyone would mean automatic and permanent disqualification from the pool. We don’t even know the lineup for the next game and people are already blasting him for “loyalty to Bornstein”? Have you noticed that Bornstein hasn’t been a regular for a LONG time? Pearce, Beasley, Bocanegra… Bornstein only even started the last game because Boca was needed in the middle. You people are nuts. It’s like your memories always consist of only the previous one or two games.
scott47a: Adu is not USMNT quality right now?LOL And Rogers,Marshall,Beckerman,Casey, are USMNT material?LOL Look at Gio Dos santos & Vela for mexico. These tow kids have been bench warming the reserves in Europe since arriving, yet the mexicans let these kids get some playing time in their NT because they know of their potential and what they are capable in a game! Adu is the only player that can change a game around with his left foot or his speed in the middle. Also Adu is the only one with outstanding footwork in our NT. I guarantee if he were given more chances to play with the our TRUE starting 11, he could make a difference on how concacaf teams play the U.S! Mexico & Central Americans would fear more a U.S team with Altidore,Davies,Adu,Donovan, in the starting lineup!… Mexicans have said numerous times, on how the hell don’t you have a Adu,Davies,Altidore, playing in the same game!!:) Please U.S fans, stop this whole, cooper,Casey,Ching,Beckerman,Rogers,etc.. These guys are pushing us back 15 years!! I rather have a player on the NT that bench warms in Europe and learns the euor way of soccer, then to have some MLS noob take a spot on our NT just because he scored against average soccer players! Come on!!!