Photo by ISIPhotos.com
The U.S. men's national team's 1-0 victory against Honduras had its share of bright spots, but also some question marks, making Tuesday's friendly against Ecuador a good chance for some players to redeem themselves, and for some to show their stuff after seeing only limited time on Saturday.
As I noted in my Fox Soccer column on the U.S. team's win against Honduras, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Bradley and DaMarcus Beasley all impressed off the bench against Honduras and all should earn starts on Tuesday night. Just how many established veterans Klinsmann hands starts to, and how many gives rests to, is tough to tell and will ultimately determine what the U.S. lineup will look like at Red Bull Arena.
So which starting lineup will we see face Ecuador? Here is one potential squad we could see get the nod:
PROJECTED USMNT LINEUP vs. ECUADOR
———————-Altidore———————-
Beasley————Dempsey——————-Shea
————–Bradley——-Williams—————–
Chandler—Bocanegra—–Onyewu—–Cherundolo
———————Howard————————
—-
Here are some thoughts:
This lineup only has three new starters from Saturday. That might be too few changes considering the short turnaround, but I think we're more likely to see some of these players go just 45 minutes rather than wholesale changes to start the match.
Klinsmann was very happy with Danny Williams on Saturday, and this would give Williams a chance to show what he can do playing in a more natural central midfield role.
If Klinsmann doesn't turn to Williams again, then look for Maurice Edu to be partnered with Bradley. Klinsmann could go with Kyle Beckerman as well, but since we got to see the Bradley-Beckerman combo work some on Saturday, the Bradley-Edu tandem seems a more likely pick on Tuesday.
Beasley should get a start on the left, which will give Klinsmann another chance to watch Brek Shea playing on the right flank, where he can cut inside and still deliver some good right-footed service even though he's more naturally left footed.
Here's another potential lineup we could see:
———–Altidore——–Agudelo—————
Beasley————Dempsey—————–Shea
———————Bradley———————–
Spector—Bocanegra—–Onyewu——-Chandler
———————Howard————————
Juan Agudelo has mainly been a sub under Klinsmann, but you have to wonder if the U.S. coach wants to take a look at Altidore and Agudelo playing together. Klinsmann did say he was wary of rushing Agudelo, so we could see someone like Edson Buddle instead if Klinsmann wants to see a two-forward lineup.
Steve Cherundolo is rested in this projected lineup, which gives us a chance to see Chandler at his more natural right back position.
Another possibility here defensively is Danny Williams playing at either right back or left back, with Timmy Chandler playing opposite him.
——-
What do you think of or projected lineup? What would you change? Who are you hoping to see get major minutes on Tuesday? Who are you not interested in seeing?
Share your thoughts below.
Beckerman is too slow but good.
It’s time for two striker, and it’s time for Bunbury to get to play with Agudelo.
I’d like to see:
Howard
Cherundolo Onyewu Ream Chandler
Bradley
Williams Dempsey Shea
Agudelo Bunbury
Did you ever consider that Bradley is pulling defenders off his midfielders to open passing lanes for his teammates? Is holding/attacking midfielder not a contradiction?
Are soccer positions specialized or should players play all styles and positions?
I wasn’t “impressed” by either, but I thought Gooch did pretty well. I though Bradley was pretty weak, but I expect him to play quite a bit better…at least, I hope he does, otherwise he will slowly lower on the depth chart.
Now, there is a difference between who I would like to see start (a little change of pace) versus who will likely start. I’ll put up both versions.
This is what I would like to see:
Not just a change of pace, but also considering minutes that some of these guys have played as well as whether their club teams want their players playing constant chunks of time in quick succession (i.e. Jozy).
———Buddle———Agudelo———
Beasley—-Spector—-Williams—-Dempsey
Shea——-Boca——-Gooch——-Chandler
—————–Howard——————
What is more likely:
————–Altidore————–
————–Dempsey—————
Shea———–Edu———-Williams
————–Bradley—————
Chandler—–Boca—–Gooch—–Dolo
—————Howard—————
where the hell is CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI??? Currently tied for MLS golden boot lead!
Agudelo is a nice prospect but he can’t sniff Wondo’s jockstrap right now.
—–Altidore—-Agudelo—–
-Dempsey—-Williams—-Shea-
——-Spector/Bradley——-
Chandler—Boca—Gooch–Dolo
I think to get Beasely in the game. Shea’s assist came from the right.
You say “gay” like it’s a bad thing.
I was gonna say–I don’t think 4-3-2 is the right formation for USMNT.
4-2-3-2 is much better.
Please someone clue me in–why does everybody want to see Shea on the right?
Speaking as a West Ham supporter, I can agree with putting Spector in a defensive midfield role as opposed to a left back. He’s very poor in the left/right back role. He was hated by the West Ham fans until he was put in the midfield and started to impress.
I’d be interested to see Williams as Center Mid instead of Bradley. Bradley always seems to kill the tempo by passing backwards to try to build up play instead of setting things up himself.
Speaking as a West Ham supporter, I can agree with putting Spector in a defensive midfield role as opposed to a left back. He’s very poor in the left/right back role. He was hated by the West Ham fans until he was put in the midfield and started to impress.
I’d be interested to see Williams as Center Mid instead of Bradley. Bradley always seems to kill the tempo by passing backwards to try to build up play instead of setting things up himself.
——Altidore—-Dempsey——
Beasley—Williams——Shea
———–Bradley————-
Spector–Gooch–Boca–Chandler
I think they might have a gem with Ream. Real potential there. However, they might be taking their time explaining a few things to Ream like…
Don’t foul inside the box and most important…
Pass to the guy wearing the SAME jersey you have on.
the whole tradition is gay. front line needs to have some dignity and take 1 knee.
think not? look at fiscal in the photo
——Altidore–Dempsey——
–Beasley—-Bradley—Shea–
———-Spector————
Williams-Boca–Gooch-Chandler
4.1.3.2 or a 4-4-2 w/ a diamond center.
except all 22 of those passes were either lateral or backwards. Bradley was supposed to be playing as the more attacking of the two holding/central midfielders, but his passing didn’t create any scoring chances.
+1 gazillion…
I think you mean “Boca” doesn’t have the speed for that. Dolo isfairly quick still.
Altidore as the central striker and Agudelo and Clint out wide is a more likely solution to this probelm if a change is needed. A 4-4-2 wouldn’t be bad either, but Klinsmann wants a more attacked minded game plan with a 4-3-3 in the Ecuador game tomorrow. I really do hope to see Danny Williams incorporated into the lineup somehow, although he could very well end up being a second half substitute.
Bare in mind that everyone has their favorites and view things from different perspectives…sometimes writers get a little lost in their own biased opinions from time to time and play out in their mind how certain players would do in the next match. So naturally they tend to create a bigger buzz than what is actually deserved. I catch myself doing this sometimes and I have to step back and try and look at things objectively. Sometimes my emotions cloud my judgment…I would say…1 % of the time
Finally someone said it. +1000000
It is kind of hard for a player of jozy’s size to get down so low, that said, he should very well be in the back of the line so he can be seen better. Soccer tradition usually reserves the back for defenders and goalkeepers, so his position is pretty much warranted.
Please leave facts off of this message board. kthnx.
Oook. And did we miss the last game and the goal that he scored from that position?
Dempsey is horrible in this role. Needs to play further up, or on the wing with little defensive responsibility.
Like LD, it is a waste to have him bogged down in the middle of the midfield.
My biggest line up request is that when the team lines up for the pre-game photo somebody puts Jozy standing in the back line instead of doing his half-assed front line lean.
Yes, he got called into Germany’s last qualifier and caught a flight back.
considered yourself flamed.
He was terrible in the MLS and has been nothing but terrible for the nats.
Don’t think Bradley played that well in his cameo, and he likes to play longer balls rather than tight one-two passes that Klinsi seems to prefer. He really botched his one opportunity at goal with that super weak effort that went well wide left when he could have easily played Deuce through right in the middle of the area. Deuce was pissed and MB just gave him a thumbs up afterward. I actually like MB and think he is class, but I feel he has to adjust his game a little bit to fit in with the current philosophy.
Actually not quite. I recall Agudelo coming in for Altidore. Nice attacking lineup nonetheless.
I really like this formation and could easily see it, which, correct me if I am wrong, is what they were basically playing in the 2nd half of Honduras (all you need to do is switch Dolo with Chandler). I like the idea of getting Chandler to his more comfortable, and dangerous, side.
i cant wait to read more of your posts.
you are a moron dude. IF we put 4 goals away then he wouldnt have said that. but we didn’t and howard had to come up big many times to keep us ahead. just like the other keeper had to do to prevent hunduras from getting blown away.
Three D-minded MFs?
Please never comment again.
We’re not gonna see this but I’m curious to see if this works out. There is some pretty good speed on the wings and it seems like a long time since Jozy had a PIC (Partner in Crime) next to him. I think we could see some goals here.
============Altidore=======Agudelo=============
====================Dempsey====================
Beasley====================================Shea
====================Bradley====================
Cherundolo===Bocanegra====Onyewu===Chandler
================================================
=====================Howard====================
I’d like to see Williams again–not because I thought he was great, but just to see what he has.
I don’t like single striker formations with Altidore, so I’d rather see 4-1-3-2 or 4-4-2 diamond than 4-2-3-1. And I would like to see Altidore and Agudelo together up front.
Not really sure why moving Shea to the right is a good idea.
I would like to see different combinations of players in the back play together.
I was kind of bothered by the big pressure for JK to win a game. now he can get back to just experimenting with different players and different combos of players.
you are either blind, stupid, or have something against bradley personally. when he came in hondouras didn’t get near our goal for the last 35 minutes…22 for 22 passing, annd picking up 3 0r 4 hondouras passes. these ar not my thoughts they are the game stats..
**correction
———–altidore————–
—————-dempsey———-
shea——–bradley——williams
————spector————–
chandler–ream–onyewu–cherundolo
————-howard————–
keep everything the same as last game except take out edu, boca, and fiscal.
——–altidore———–
———-dempsey———
shea————–williams
—–bradley————–
chandler–ream–gooch–dolo
———howard———–
dempsey is new captain.
Apparently just a false alarm. He will be playing.
Franco Panizo:
My Man of the Match is Tim Howard. If not for his plethora of quality, clutch saves, the U.S. could have tied or lost this game.
Panizo, you no nothing!!!!!!!!!!!! What about the U.S. lost chances? Then it would have been 4-0 USA. You are a complete dope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USA beats Ecuador. Panizo, go stuff a taco up your butt!!!!!!
I agree re: Ream. Not so much with Agudelo. He’s getting good PT for his age.
Yeah I saw that too…Bradley was 22 for 22 passing? Come on folks, that’s beyond good.
Whatever folks think of dad, you have to give Michael his due.
Michael and Gooch stabilized what was looking like an increasingly shaky d. Not that Edu and Beckerman were terrible, they weren’t. But they weren’t 100% completed passes either.
With Williams out I think we’ll see this now
————–Altidore—————–
—-Beas——-Dempsey——–Shea—–
———–Edu———MB90————
–Chandler—Boca—-Gooch—Dolo—-
————–Timmy——————
If Ream and Agudelo don’t get major minutes at Red Bull Arena, then its hard to see when either would in the near future. Of course, not getting major minutes at Red Bull Arena won’t be new for Agudelo. Still, I think both need 70 minutes to find out where we are with them and this looks to be as good a time as any. I’ll take a 4-1-3-2 with Altidore-Agudleo, Dempsey-Williams-Shea, Bradley, Chandler-Gooch-Ream-Dolo. Feels like 3-1 US in a breakout offensive performance.
MidWest Ref – I like your list of Bradley pundits. I think there is one more (in the supporter category) that support him because they believe he has the most upside of the all the option in the middle. They consider his age, previous accomplishments, level of club play competition, etc.
Shea—-Altidore—-Agudelo
—–Dempsey–Bradley—–
———Edu———-
Chandler–Ream–Gooch–Dolo
———-Howard———–
agreed. I’m not sold on Beckerman being int’l caliber. And while I long for Bradley’s Dutch scoring days, I think he has settled into defensive minded central midfielder role.
Official: Williams is out and going back to Hoffenheim.