Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
The first chance for Bob Bradley to trot out his first choice starting lineup before the World Cup comes on Saturday against Turkey in Philadelphia. Just what that lineup will be is the big question.
There are questions all over the field, from the striker position to the fullbacks, the wings to central midfield. Bradley will give the first signs of the players he is leaning toward for the June 12 World Cup opener vs. England.
So who will start vs. Turkey on Saturday? Here is our projected lineup:
PROJECTED USA LINEUP vs. TURKEY
——————-Altidore———-Dempsey—————-
Beasley————————————————Donovan
———————Bradley———Clark———————-
Bocanegra———Onyewu—–DeMerit———-Cherundolo
—————————–Howard——————————
The three positions toughest to call are right back (Cherundolo or Spector), wing midfield (Beasley or Holden) and forward (Dempsey, Gomez or Findley).
If Dempsey plays up top, the decision is between Holden and Beasley. If Dempsey is deployed on the flank, Herculez Gomez could get the nod (he and Altidore were paired up top in training on Thursday).
Central midfield could offer a surprise, with Maurice Edu and Jose Torres as options, but the odds are good that we will see the Michael Bradley-Ricardo Clark tandem.
What do you think of the above lineup? Which starting 11 would you like to see against Turkey?
Share your thoughts below.
You have a valid point…Gomez probably should have done better…however, take a look at what he has been able to do when he is in form. you cant ignore the fact that the possibilities of the team scoring a goal greatly improve when he is on the pitch and in form as evident by his last season with puebla in addition to his stint with Galaxy. How many strikers on the US can you say that about other than Charlie and Josimer? The guy’s bread and butter is working off the ball and getting into position to make things happen…he isnt the most technical or fastest on the pitch but what you do know is that he will swallow up any mistake the defense makes in addition to having the ability to rocket a shot at goal anywhere near the box. He is a true striker in the sense that he score goals…period.
There is more to scoring than beating a defender one on one. Timing your run perfectly and not having to take on a defender (i.e. Milito Champions League final) is at least as valuable of a skill if not more valuable than beating a defender one v. one.
Gomez should have done better with his finish but man was he in the right spot when he shot right at Cech.
I agree – Benny deserves more love than he gets… The thing about Torres is that he has tremendous potential. BB has played him “oh, a half here, and a half there” and he hasn’t developed the game flow synergy with the rest of the core players that his style requires. As a result, all we have thus far is potential, not actuality. And that synergy is likely not going to develop in the next two weeks.
Benny, on the other hand, has less potential than Torres, in my opinion, but has the vision and ball control, and that spark and synergy RIGHT NOW that Torres has not had an opportunity to develop. In my pecking order, Benny would be right behind Bradley and Edu, who I feel are our best overall options for center mid, given their respective combos of talent and experience.
So with the exception of Edu for Clark, and maybe holden for dmb (maybe), I like Ives lineup.
I thought Gooch looked horrible (he can’t run yet!) and think he’s overrated anyway. I’d probably like to see DeMerit and Boca in the middle. Boca’s a much better central defender than outside, and we don’t lose anything by replacing him with Spector on the left — we have no good options there defensively.
Holden needs to play BIG minutes. He got stronger as the game went on, and showed me that he can play attacking central mid, a revelation. He has creativity, some pace, can hold the ball, and plays good defense. I’d consider starting him on the wing and moving him to the center later in the game (perhaps too disruptive), bringing Beasely as a sub. I like Torres a lot, but he just hasn’t made the team dangerous yet.
This is what I know 4 players need to see a lot of time in SA Edu, Holden, Beasley and Torres, whether they start or come off the bench these guys add a lot to the USMNT and give the USMNT the best chance to advance along with Donovan, Demps and Jozy.
Not sure what the back line looks like right now with injuries, but in SA the USMNT will need to have Spector and Boca start and play a full 90 in every game.
I like your “interesting” line up, and posted the same two days ago. Not looking for credit, but agreeing with you Rich. We use this lineup to try to get a point v. England. I don’t want to be a nay-sayer, but we can’t beat England, particularly in the first game.
i love all the projections and all but i think we’ll see similar lineup that defeated Spain. That’s how we are going to play in WC.
Benny comes off the bench. He is not a 90 minute player in the international game. He does not have the bite or size of Edu or Clark. Once Edu and Clark get suspended for cards – which they will- he is a worthy substitute.
Should we bring back the Steve Sampson 3-6-1? Anyone?
Are you Dolo? I see you are logged on as a guest to remain anonymous.
Or perhaps you are his mom? That’s the only other person who could ignore his talent deficit v. Czechs.
Godfrey – you are right, except Holden will not start – Redcardo will. Holden is BB’s sub for Gomez when he moves Dempsey up top after 70-75 minutes – like he always does.
Gooch needs to play in the next 2 games to see if he can play in the first 3 in SA.
Last, Run DMB will not start a game in the WC. I am glad to see him back in the team, but in BB’s preferred 4-4-2, he is not better than either Demps of Donovan, and BB didn’t bring 4 forwards so they could sit on the bench behind Demps.
Holden is sick, but don’t know if he is a true CAM like the Torres and Felli. Regardless, I think he could be very effective for the USMNT in that role because he tracks back on D like a mad man. This is what Bradley wants from his two CMs
I think he’s referring to the way Gooch had to hold his leg to keep the ice wrap on it as he left the field. He was not truely limping though.
There was a great example in the second half- watch the tape. He got undressed 1 on 1. Beaten to the outside, he did a blind slide tackle as the attacker was cutting back inside. Looked rather foolish. He has never been an impact player for USMNT.
p.s. I plaguarized Redcardo from some other commenter last week, sorry i don’t have a cite guys.
Isn’t that MB? That’s proably why Clark gets so many fouls.
This is the line-up that I would love to see vs. England (and against Turkey for that matter, just to see if it actually works)
——Jozy——–
——Demps——-
Beas——-Donovan
–Bradley-Holden–
Boca——–Spector
—Gooch-DeMerit–
——Howard——
I think we have seen enough of Holden to know that he can hold his own on the defensive side of the ball. Not to mention his pace and willingness to track back. When we do get the ball back and go forward, it would be nice to build from the back than just giving possesion back with an errant long ball.
The best defense is defense….classic
I don’t know WHAT game you were watching but he did pretty well, dribbling his way out of some tight situations and one-two-ing with Holden his way out of others. He had some turnovers sometimes but the rest of the USA attack faded just as badly as he did.
I agree completely about Clark and Bradley being mirror images in terms of play.
I hope I didnt come across as someone who does not like Holden cause I truly do like him and think he has skills
BUT Holden is only three years younger than Beasley. Beasley has been on the scene since 01 while Holden has only been on the scene since 08 3 year age difference but yet 7 year difference in National team experience……. I just wanted to add to your experience point and experience at the international level is immense…… Beasley has simply seen more games at the international level.
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If such photos exist, they are something I NEVER want to see.
Yes, you just listed some of the reasons why Edu should be the focal point of the centermid for the USMNT.
It bothers me about Onyewu. Do you let him continue to play in the friendlies to try and get him sharper at the risk of leaving (Goodson or some other pairing at cb) out of the lineup?
Are two more games going to be enough for Onyewu?
You need a midfield and forwards to be in position to get the through balls and forward passes.
The big mistake through qualifiers (imo) was not working to raise the tactical awareness of the team as a unit. But that is beyond BB the coach I’m afraid, we’ll have to wait for the next cycle to hopefully gain that level of play.
It’s fine to be a counter-attacking squad but even so you need to be able to catch your breath sometimes and hold the ball.
Just playing straight ahead and not moving the ball sideways and yes backwards and then across the field – that’s how quality teams play. And Torres no doubt brings more quality ball-possession to the squad.
I will grant you though that gringo is still young and learning. And at times we’ve seen better from eg Feilhaber in terms of quick forward passes and through balls.
But – starter on Pachuca vs a 2nd div danish league player? I’ll take the Pachuca starter thanks.
thats the same scenario for a lot of countries out there.
play people in position?? shocking!
I agree Dolo looked bad, a lot of aimless punts down the right side-line.
I give up trying to figure out what BB is going to do next. Can’t wait for the usual surprises.
right, I also like Rico, but Edu does seem more likely to poach a goal which playing solid all around.
I’d rather see Beasley Left Out than Left Back.
You do know you have 12 players listed. Pretty sure FIFA wont let us do that!
There’s no team chemistry in punting the ball 30 yards down field aimlessly. What Tom is asking for is creative spliting passes by Torres on first touch. Not even Barca can do that. The team will move to Torres world style or stagnate. Many here have seen a lot of good soccer on TV or on their computers to accept punt and a prayer and call that chemistry.
It looks good, but I thought Cherondolo was terrible against the Czechs. Let’s see Spector in at RB.
sorry, not happening.
With 4 in the back leaking goals at the rate they’ve been doing, no way we go to 3 in the back.
+1
We’ve already seen that train wreck, why the rerun?
Agreed. Feilhaber combines all of Torres’ positive attributes with the ability to actual make passes that put the pressure on our opponent. Torres all to often, in his attempts to play a possession oriented game, puts pressure on his teammates (See friendly vs Holland where he nearly chipped the ball into our own net).
Again, I have no problem with passing the ball back or passing the ball wide. I have no problem with that style of play. I just don’t think Torres is particularly good at it. If we nationalized Iniesta somehow, I’d have no problem inserting him into the starting line-up and letting him dictate play, because he is good at it. Torres is not. Therefore, in attempting to do something he does not do well, he hurts the team.
Dolo did get spun around several times by Czech wingers, which i guess is what Dan is referring to.
Fortunately if I recall correctly the central middies covered for him so most folks may have let it go.
I still remember Torres 50 yard run, tackle and strip in the dying minutes that helped the US win the WC qualifying group.
If we’re trying to get a look at the guys who might start vs England, I’d rather see Holden (over Beasley), Edu (over Clark), Spector (over Cherundolo), and Goodson (over Demerit). I think that’s our best team right now.
Agreed that Bocanegra & DeMerit are potential injury problems. But against Chech Republic Onyewu demonstrated clearly that he has not recovered from injury as well as not being either fit or match fit. As is, Onyewu is a liability. Doesn’t that bother you.
Lotsa potential problems up front as well as in the back. Only the midfield looks ready!
What evidence do you have that Dolo is a better defender?
Not sure he has shown that in either Germany or in MNT games. Please convince me otherwise.
+1
Gomez scored, Gomez took a hard shot – off a perfect feed from Ching. It was on goal but right at goalie. Ok not perfect.
But Buddle’s big accomplishment was taking one in the chin (literally) from Cech, which led to Edu’s finish of the bouncing ball in the box. Any Buddle shots on goal? Not that I recall.
Don’t mind Buddle getting minutes, but Gomez had the better game. And may have bigger role in US sneaking through to second round.
I would really like to see Bradley get forward more like he did in Holland. Edu seems a better match to give him that freedom.
Exactly.
A CM who can maintain control of the ball and distribute.
What a novel concept!
Good point Frank. His play on the second goal against Spain made that sequence work. At worst, he’s a great sub option.
Right, to be fair to Clark he went 90 in each of Frankfurt’s last 3 games if i recall correctly, got his contract renewed.
Which means Clark is sticking with an upper – to mid-table Bundesliga squad, in a DM position.
I think it is really close to be honest between all 3 dm’s – Bradley, Clark and Edu.
As long as 1 of them is paired with a Feilhaber, Torres, or Holden we can have more than 10% of possession.
But we know BB believes the best defense is defense so it’s more likely a central mid pairing of MB with Clark. Edu could slide into the defensive rotation to shore things up there due to Gooch, Bocanegra, and DeMerit fitness issues, and Bornstein’s (in)competence issue.
I would reverse that. Start Bradley-Edu. Get control of the center of the field and then press with Torres (who I thought looked very good Tuesday) in the late stages of the game.
with our defense being a bit hobbled, this may not work as we need coverage, but I sure would like to see Torres paired with Bradley in the middle, or perhaps on the left side to see better combination play with forwards and mid-field.
How fast is Torres, relatively speaking? Does he have speed, or is it more quickness and passing?–I have not been able to see him play very often.