Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
The U.S. men's national team begins World Cup play on Saturday against England in a match American fans have been anxiously awaiting since the teams were drawn together in December.
While I'm sure you have read dozens of previews on the match, here is my Fox Soccer preview on the big USA-England match. Fox Soccer will also feature my piece on The Five Things USA need in order to beat England, as well as a position-by-position breakdown of the match from Fox Soccer colleague Nick Webster. Keep an eye out for those later today.
The major question that remains as we head toward tomorrow's tilt is simple. Who will the United States start vs. England? The reality is there are still several question marks. If the team is as healthy as Bob Bradley is saying, here is the starting lineup I see taking the field in Rustenberg on Saturday:
USA Projected Lineup (IF everyone is healthy)
————–Altidore——-Buddle————–
Donovan———————————-Dempsey
—————-Bradley—–Clark—————-
Bocanegra—Onyewu—DeMerit—-Cherundolo
———————-Howard———————–
Now, if Oguchi Onyewu and Jozy Altidore can't start (Bob Bradley said on Friday that Altidore would), here's a lineup we are likely to see:
————–Altidore——Buddle—————–
Donovan———————————-Dempsey
—————-Bradley—–Clark——————-
Bocanegra—DeMerit——Goodson–Cherundolo
———————-Howard———————–
Something else to consider is whether Bob Bradley considers going with an ultra-defensive squad. If so, we could see something like this:
———————-Altidore————————
Donovan————Torres—————-Dempsey
————-Bradley———–Clark—————–
Bocanegra—Onyewu—–DeMerit—-Cherundolo
———————Howard—————————-
Why Findley instead of Altidore here? It really wouldn't surprise me if Altidore didn't start. He stopped short of saying he was 100 percent on Thursday, so if he's not fully fit and still feeling pain in his ankle, Findley could get the call in order to apply pressure on England's centerbacks. The formation also gives the Americans three central midfielders to make things more difficult on the English duo of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. The only question about this formation is the fact that we really haven't see that sort of combination in central midfield together. (Bob Bradley admitted on Friday that Jozy Altidore would be starting vs. England, which takes some of the mystery out of these lineups).
Which leads me to wonder if we could see this:
———————Altidore—————————
Beasley————Dempsey—————Donovan
————-Bradley———–Clark—————–
Bocanegra—Onyewu—–DeMerit—-Cherundolo
———————Howard—————————-
This lineup would require Dempsey to play in a deeper role than usual, where he could help the central midfielders while also slipping into a more advanced role. I have seen him slide into a central role in trainingh before, so it wouldn't stun me if we saw something like this. This lineup would also put Donovan against Ashley Cole, the more dangerous of England's fullbacks, while putting Beasley's speed on the left flank to help Carlos Bocanegra. No, this lineup isn't one that comes to mind right away, but would certainly be interesting to see matched up against England (It would also make more sense of Bob Bradley's recent comments about how important versatility is to his team).
Another question many will ask is why Ricardo Clark is in all of these lineups. As bad as he looked in the lead-up matches, he's still the preferred partner with Michael Bradley in a match against a dangerous attack. Maurice Edu and Jose Torres have both looked better in recent matches, and I can certainly see either of them starting later in the group, but against England, where making things difficult for Lampard and Gerrard is paramount, Clark is likely to get the nod.
So what lineup do American fans want? I get the sense this is what USA fans would like to see:
————–Altidore———Dempsey—————–
Donovan——————————————-Holden
——————-Bradley———-Torres—————-
Bocanegra—–Onyewu——–DeMerit—–Cherundolo
————————-Tim Howard———————-
This would be a very interesting lineup, but I don't see Torres starting vs. England unless its in a three-man midfield. Holden has become a bit of the forgotten man in recent weeks, but he's someone who could do well against England.
I know you're wondering what lineup I would personally put out there against England. Here's my starting lineup:
—————–Altidore———Dempsey—————–
Beasley——————————————-Donovan
—————-Bradley———-Edu————————-
Bocanegra—–Onyewu——–DeMerit——-Cherundolo
————————-Tim Howard———————-
Iknow some folks are down on Beasley, but I think his defensive work could be vital against England. I also like the idea of Donovan on the right against Cole, as well as Dempsey up top. I would also go with Edu over Clark at this point.
Yes, that's SIX different lineups to consider, and yes, I like the fourth one (though the first makes most sense if everyone is healthy).
What lineup would you like to see the Americans use against England?
Share your thoughts below.
Comments like this make me want to beat the living hell out of someone. What if he ends up being important for Frankfurt, does really well for them and grows into a great player? Stupid comment.
According to that logic, those who disagree with Bradley can never be proven right and he can never be proven wrong–if he ultimately comes around. I have been first guessing, not second guessing. I am doing the same again with Edu vis-a-vis Clark.
You’ve been proven right like the 50% who say “heads” at a coin toss. Bradley didn’t come around to YOUR way of thinking… He just did his job and played the field, well enough to qualify while checking out a bunch of player candidates. So yeah, I’m confident his choices will represent us well, whether or not they happen to be your pet players.
I completely agree…with your first sentence.
that’s what she said
I’d go with the first one but put Edu in the start over Clark. Then sub Torres in after the half/at the half with findley and holden also coming in later barring red cards and injuries… solid late game changing subs right there. kinda like the turkey game.
yeah in your dreams England won’t be able to score on US’s shaky back line, just like the Czechs, Turks and Australia couldn’t score on us Oh wait…
I actually agree 100% with Ives favorite line up. Beasley is at times one of our top players and could be a difference maker if given the chance. Dempsey up top gives him freedom to be creative and not have to worry about getting back which he has a problem with sometimes playing with the national team. Edu over Clark every single day of the week…Feilhaber, Torres, Holden, and Beckerman all over Clark.
Torres, because he can pass the ball and also make solid tackles.
Bradley, Edu and Rico share the other CM slot alongside the superior player, .
I’m hoping BB has been playing rope-a-dope on Capello and will do exactly that.
Ok, it is just a glimmer of hope, to be shattered when the staring lineup is announced, but I can dream that BB has finally seen the obvious, just as he previously did inserting Charlie into the lineup over Ching – when Ching went down to injury…sigh.
Let’s see…Buddle scores 2 against a decent Australia side; Gomez scores every 10 minutes he is on field.
Yeah makes sense, play Findley over those 2.
be concerned…very concerned.
Since Goodson will see field.
Bornstein starting against England is waving the white flag of surrender from the start.
Even BB won;t go there. I hope.
agreed; but it’s not a BB line-up so not hapening.
Seriously, odds of making it to 2nd round are low assuming US plays to form and England wins.
Just review fate of past 1st game losers from past cups – odds are very long if USMNT losess to England.
Pressure mounts and escape routes narrow.
So getting a point from England is critical; a win may be too much to hope for. But a point – I’ll take it gladly, as would BB I am sure.
start I meant; who knows maybe star.
Clark played 3 Bundesliga games, the full 90, before getting to camp, which is more than we can say for Gooch, Holden, and post-surgery Boca. But 2 of those 3 are expected to star.
I like Rico and expect him to do well next season in Bundesliga, but for usmnt he would be my choice for MBradley back-up, with Torres and edu sharing the load in the other cm slot.
interesting alternate lineup, since Bradley gets to be more of a poacher than a passer it could work.
But experimental formations aren’t happening with BB and this squad.
Whatever hapened to Eddie Johnson. You mean to tell me he’s not good enough to play for team U.S.A??
Agreed on need for US to score since US d is too weak to stop Rooney & co.
Nothing USMNT does other than gaining a 2 goal lead in 1st half is likely to cause fear for England.
+5
Why do you have Goodson starting over DeMerit in some of these lineups? That makes no sense to me. Aside from that, I like our other options enough that I could be comfortable with a number of different lineups.
(SBI-Goodson over DeMerit in a few of these was a mistake on my part. DeMerit gets the call over Goodson every time as far as I can tell.)
Before you start accusing people (or an entire country) of being clueless: Please educate yourself on what you’re talking about prior.
A) Jozy isn’t your traditional target man/I don’t even think it’s fair to call him one. This has been proven in countless friendlies when he has played the role.
i.e. He isn’t Emilie Heskey or even Brian Ching for that matter. Educate yourself on what a target man does, please.
B)He is not very physical & you can’t recall the last time he’s drawn a foul?
Before I even address this, have you honestly ever watched a match he’s played in, club or country?
= = = = =
Take your highbrow & pompous attitude elsewhere if your insults and arguments are as toothless as this post.
They waste our time scrolling down to read other posts.
This could work.
Put him in play but don’t start him. Bring him on in the 50th.
Have faith boys. Keep the faith.
Loyalty (for better or worse).
It’s either his greatest asset as a Manager or our greatest achilles heel in failing to advance.
You’re not alone in being frustrated by it, at times, too.
“I’m sure Rico will start and you can’t do anything about it.-Austin”
So…we can’t debate amongst ourselves because we’re not Bob Bradley?
Seriously, talk about ridiculous.
Dude I love how u question how often I have watched jozy…… Hey may not be a straight bruiser but whenever jozy received a long ball the defender always fouled him it was the only way to stop him DID YOU WATCH HULL CITY? Jozy had defenders picking up fouls left and right. Buddle may also not be a bruiser but both are strong guys who arew fast. So the real question has to be, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE WORLD GAME? If you did you would take your head out of your buttocks and see that having two strong forwards does make sense. Your whole comment is a joke. Why attack me without respectfully disagreeing? I have never attack someone with respectfully disagreeing, f you man
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I disagree. I think if we play conservative, we lose. i don’t think we are good enough on defense to bunker like Uraguay did to France.
With that said, if we are gonna lose i want to lose 3-2, not 1-0. Beer+Goals= 🙂
Seriously…ok now it’s getting ridiculous. Who cares? He stopped them from advancing. I’m sure Rico will start and you can’t do anything about it. He has potential…let’s hope we see it and stop raggin on the guy
————-Altidore/Buddle——Findley————-
—Dempsey——–Bradley—Edu————-Donovan—
Bocanegra——-DeMerit—–Onyewu———-Cherundolo
Howard
Subs: Gomez(Findley), Torres(Edu), Beasley(Dempsey)
Clark(on the bus to the airport)
This lineup gives us the best possible chance in the world cup. It puts our best players on the pitch. We have experience on the field in Donovan,Dolo, Beasley, Dempsey, Boca, and Onyewu. Speed up top and on the wing with Donovan. At this point, Onyewu is a better option than Goodson because of his experience and that Goodson and DeMerit have NO chemistry.
You can argue that Buddle and Altidore need to be up top but this shows your ignorance of the type of players they are and what works in soccer. Can’t have two target men up top with no speed to open up the field. This is why when Davies came onto the scene it changed the USMNT so much. We were scoring goals and getting chances. You put dempsey up to and it is not his strong suit. He is better on the left mid where he can cut in and shoot.
What are your thoughts.
Yes. Under no circumstances should Clark ever play for us. Never, ever, ever. Torres please.
SEND CLARK HOME!!! HE is the worst of the 5 center mids we brought to South Africa. This is why he was the last of the 5 to get a contract in another country.
that’s a 4-5-1 buddy. if it was a 1-5-4 than we would have one defender 5 mids and 4 forwards.
Several things wrong with this lineup. Dempsey doesn’t play center mid.. period!
This is the same formation that bruce arena took to the 06 world cup and we scored one goal ourselves and went home. He is no longer the USMNT coach for a reason.
The formations we have been playing, the one that got us to the confed final is our strongest formation. 4-4-2. this formation can beat and has beaten every other formation in the world. When used correctly the only answer is a strong 4-4-2 of your own.
I agreed with this lineup up until you have Clark sub for Edu? Why would anyone do that. The mentality of using 2 defensive subs in a game would make the team very tough defensivily is a false reality. In reality to have a tough defense you have to have a good possesion game. Clark and Bradley do not do a good job of that what so ever because that is not what they do. They are player markers and enforcers. Feilhaber and Torres are you possesion and distribution guys. These guys create chances and allow your team to retain possesion. That is the key to a good defense. If your 2 center mids are constatly on their heals than they wear out and break down. This is what happend against Brasil last year.
I think you have to bring Torres on at somepoint in the match no matter who is in center. And if you don’t bring gomez in for a spark off the bench than why put him on the squad.
All we can do is hope that Clark gets injured and has to sit out the rest of the world cup so that the US can actually play up to their potential.
They would? Where do you get your info from?
You think Jozy and Buddle are two fwds these players have never seen nor played against. have you seen Jozy play? He is not very physical. I can’t remember the last time he got a foul called against him? He is a target man that can finish crosses. Buddle is the bigger more stronger fwd but by no means a bruiser. Starting both of them along side each other will be a failed experiment. Each player needs a complimentary player. that is why findley/buddle played so well against AUS. Findley stretched the field and Buddle found space.
Geez this country knows NOTHING about the worlds greatest game.
Agreed. But everything depends on how we can keep our defensive shape and not concede early goals.
So you and Bruce Arena think very much alike. That is why he is no longer the USMNT coach. He instituted the 4-5-1 formation just before the 06 world cup and we came away with 1 goal.
the 4-5-1 is known as a defensive formation which teams in Euroge have used when the conditions were awful(rain, snow) or they were on the road in hostile environment trying to get at least a tie.
The 5-4-1 is even more defensive. this would be horrible because England would posses the ball and put balls into the box all day long. we would lose 3-0. I don’t understand this mentality?
This is not a wise lineup and here is why:
They have never played an international match with this lineup and against an England team is not the time to try it. Why would you put Donovan in the hole or an attacking mid role? This is not his strong point. It is out wide making runs and crossing with the occasional break inside to shoot.
Don’t agree with any of these lineups. why put 2 average speed players up top not to mention they are both target men. Who are they supposed to pass the ball to with their back to the goal without a complimentary forward like findley? Putting Dempsey at forward with Altidore would be even worse. Dempsey plays most of his club ball at outside mid or some variation of it, not at forward. He used to but is more effective from where he was against AUS.
Putting R. Clark in the match will only lead to boring unpossesive soccer which will lead to an England goal in the first 30 minutes of the game. Mark my words, Clark will hurt the US in this game agianst England.
So Findley doesn’t have international experience…SO WHAT! If you can remember a little known player named Charlie Davies made a name for himself against Egypt in the Confed cup. Findley with altidore or buddle only makes since.
If Onyewu starts, we are in serious trouble and its a huge coaching mistake. Even if he’s physically 100% (which he probably isn’t), mentally he can’t be fully prepared for this match. You also do not start a centerback that can’t go the full 90.
I was lazy I did not feel like laying out my formation, and positions. 😀
The lineup I expect:
—-Jozy–Buddle–
LD — Jr. — Rico — Deuce
Boca Gooch DeMerit ‘dolo
——Howard——-
The lineup I’d love to see
(first half):
————Altidore————
Beasley——Donovan—–Dempsey
——-Bradley——Torres——–
Bocanegra–Onyewu–DeMerit–Cherundolo
—————Howard—————
2nd half:
—-Altodire—Buddle—–
Donovan Bradley Torres Dempsey
Boca–Onyewu–DeMerit-‘dolo
60 subs: Goodson/Gooch, Gomez/Altidore
No thank you for also seeing what I saw……. America the land of the stat sheet…….. Jozy and Buddle are gonna draws many free kicks and penalties……. And the USMNT are dead ball specialists……. We will win tomorrow and it will be because Jozy is a beast
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Totally Agree! Clark has done nothing for the USA team since he got the starting job. (I’m not exactly sure how he did that btw.) Oh hey you scored a game winner in qualifying that’s great. Oh it was against Jamaica, who cares.
I have a good feeling that will be our starting lineup tomorrow
I hope the USMNT defense was watching the France-Uruguay game because Uruguay just showed how we need to play to defeat/tie the English…
well put it this way, torres is very small while bradley is fairly large and tall and tough, who would you have as a defender against the physical english?
I think that USA need to play a 5-4-1 in order to atleast tie with England on June 12th. Here is my lineup against Englad:
———————-Altidore————————
——————————————————
Dempsey—————————————-Donovan
——————————————————
————Bradley————-Torres—————-
——————————————————
Spector—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu—-DeMerit—Cherundolo
——————————————————
———————–Howard————————-
The subs would be:
Edu for Torres
Buddle for Altidore
Holden for Dempsey
Prediction: 0-0
USA needs to play defense all 90 minutes of the game. It will be huge to get a point in the England game. Therefore, USA will have one point going into the Solvenia game and try to win both game against Solvenia and Algeria and finishing the group with 7points.
central attacking midfielder