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.
I would make the argument that Dempsey played more of a false 9 than a 10.
If you were to generously agree with my assertion for the moment….who would you bring in on the squad that doesn’t fit the mold of a def-minded midfielder? (i.e. you can’t pick Dempsey)
Danny Williams, Jonathon Spector? I can’t say whether they would be more creative than Beckerman or Ed, but I would hope so.
Personally I think Bradley is much more capable of hitting a good ball out wide (over the top of def) to a outside mid (or back for that matter) charging foward than Edu or Beckerman. I actually don’t recall Beckerman/Edu even attempting that type of Ball. But I do agree he better serves the team as a defensive mid. He does well connecting the def with the offense.
please, shut up, stupid. Say hi to your mother for me.
He’s correct. I think you are the moron.I bet you take it up the a** with Panizo.
-1
No shite – don’t bring that weak crap around here.
I can’t see Klinsmann putting Shea on the right, but would love to see Chandler over there.
————-Altidore————
————Dempsey————
Shea——Williams—-Chandler
————Beckerman——–
Beez/Spector–Boca–Gooch–Dolo
It would also be so interesting to see Chandler at right back with Dempsey up ahead on the right and Jozy and Agudelo up top together to see if any chemistry there.
————-Altidore————
————Agudelo———
Shea—–Williams–Dempsey
————Beckerman——–
Dolo–Boca–Gooch–Chandler
But we are probably going to see Chandler at LB again.
————Altidore————
———–Agudelo——–
Shea—–Williams—-Dempsey
———–Beckerman——–
Chandler–Boca–Gooch–Dolo
Oops… sub Shea for Agudelo and bring Juan off the bench for whoever is gassed first
Beasley—Altidore—Shea–
———Dempsey——–
—-Bradley—–Williams—
Chandler–Ream–Gooch–Dolo
———-Howard———–
according to that chalkboard, he played three forward passes. i think that still strongly supports my argument. he was hardly picking the lock, which is what you need out of a cm.
WTF, he’s “horrible” in the role? No, he doesn’t have LD’s pace, which should put LD on a flank, and Dempsey should be in a central position b/c it puts him around the ball to distribute or shoot.
I mostly agree with Ives’ projected lineup. I would sub Ream for Bocanegra after his poor showing in the last match. Let Howard wear the armband
Beasley—Altidore—Agudelo
———Dempsey——–
—-Bradley—–Williams—
Chandler–Ream–Gooch–Dolo
———-Howard———–
I agree with Second City.
Gooch looked marginal and Bradley a bit less than marginal, although he did have a few nice give and go’s towards end of the match. To see them unimpressive vs Honduras is too bad, because they have been pillars of the squad.
That said, it’s interesting to view the psychology Klinsmann is employing with the team: everyone fights for a spot; best players at the time play; work hard and you will earn a number b/t 1 – 11 on game day. Wahl and Ives both tweeted about Bradley and Gooch being benched behind perceived lesser talent on the field. But given Gooch and Bradley’s journey back to top form, Klinsmann is doing them a favor by forcing them to reach a higher level of play before regaining a starting spot. IMO: Gooch needs to improve his short passing out of the back and show better body control (lucky to avoid cautions following slide tackle and bowling over Honduras fwds); Bradley needs to be more positive on the ball, release the ball more quickly to attacking positions and make more tackles (I think Edu outperformed MB in these categories). Don’t think either performance merits a start tmrw night.
Overall, Klinsmann era is mighty intruiging. Can’t wait for next chapter.
“…Brek Shea playing on the right flank, where he can cut inside and still deliver some good right-footed service…” hahahahahaahahahaha!
I think Howard is next in line for captaincy.
I only saw 10 players on your squad
Ya, that IS the problem…..
They were not all lateral or backwards. Please educate yourself by looking at the chalkboards, all passes for all players can found at:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-10-08-usa-vs-honduras/chalkboard
Note that the field is normalized so that the player can be considered playing a forward ball if the distribution shows the arrow traveling from bottom to top.
I wouldn’t mind Ream on the left, but I wouldn’t want both Boca and Gooch back there. I could go for Ream, Boca (or Gooch), and Cherundolo (or Chandler) across the back.
Dempsey played in that role v Hon. Edu, Beckerman, and MB will just get bunched up when out there at the same time. Edu or Beckerman with Bradley or Williams, and Dempsey in front of that pair.
I almost thought you were being serious for a second, then I caught myself.
You’re not going to ask either side of a three man backline to get upfield so if you played that formation you’d be better off with Ream, Boca, and Gooch back there.
I believe Dolph Lundgren is already capped by Sweden.
Funny reference though.
Jozy is, what, 6’1? Max?
If he’s not able to bend his knees (at a reasonable height, he’s not Manute Bol) that’s kind of an issue at his young age.
lol
This is all I’m saying.
The rhetoric and hyperbole is a bit strong lately. Hence why I said they’ve both become the polarizing characters in our cast of players.
Maybe even “below average” wasn’t fair in my own eyes but I simply don’t agree with the supposed “strong performance” opinions that are floating around this board by the writers and fans.
fair enough.
Ecuador is a much stronger opponent than Honduras…We need to put the strongest lineup possible regardless of who needs time or caps:
JozyAZtadore
Deuce—–DolfLundgrenJr.
Germam#2–KevinDurant–EgyptCoachesKid
German#1–Blackmouth–Gooch–Dolo
Blinky
How exactly is this an attacking midfield? You would work well as a pre 2011 Manchini. “Three holding mids, that aought to get the attack going”.
Why doesn’t Altidore just stand in the back?
Worst 11 ever…
Shea is able to play on the right side, meaning he and Beasley can take the field at the same time.
—Beasley—–Altidore—–Shea—
—Bradley——Edu——–Williams–
Chandler—–Boca—Gooch—-Spector
—————Howard—————
Lets attack and press!
Agreed – are his thighs really that inflexible? Or does it just take a really long time for him to squat?
Pro tip: Ref can card after an advantage, during another stoppage of play. Just don’t see it very often
If you are implying that Chandler will be a better RB than Dolo at the 2014 WC I think I agree.
Playing devil’s advocate for a minute, let’s assume that Dolo is still servicable as a LB in 2014 and no one has stepped up at RB. Wouldn’t you still want Chandler there? I thought he played decent at RB athough turning (repeatedly)to your right foot to make a cross will not cut it and would be quickly shutdown.
I agree with this assessment.
hopefully never suiting up for the nats ever again. I’d rather see Bobby Wood and Conner Doyle than Wondolowski.
The most sane post on here. I know it was a while back but he also got the dumbest red card I’ve seen in the last 4 years in the Olympics. Did absolutely nothing for Philly and has looked pretty awful in all of his appearances. If he gets another start then jurgen is full of sh@# on the whole competition for 2 spots. He’s played himself out of a spot if anything a la Castillo. Goodson, Gonzalez, and Onyewu all deserve starts over him.
Who is the “offensive-minded” midfielder being left out instead?
I think Demps will be good for a 90 min. game come WC 2014 providing he doesn’t play the flanks. I’m having my doubts LD can go the distance.
What? Save that for who should be called into the next camp. This is for who should start.
It’s great that Wando is tied for golden boot lead but he has been thoroughly unimpressive for the Nats.
Because we don’t have a natural right winger and he plays a serviceable ball with his right foot as evidenced by his cross to Deuce. Additionally, it allows him to cut in to his left foot ala Robben (left footed player who plays right wing for Bayern Munich and Netherlands), and allows us to put our best two wingers on the field at one time (Run DMB on the left and Shea on the right)
???
Anybody watch Beckerman playing defense? Any time his man plays a give and go, Beckerman turns and watches him go. Doesn’t track OR cover the other guy. Putting gim at D-Mid makes no sense when back line ends up having to cover for his lack of quickness/response.
If I didn’t see the game for myself and just read this article I would’ve thought this was Gooch’s second comming. Unfortunately he was nowhere near his old self (at least he is not limping anymore), the NFL fullback hit tackle that he did would have been an easy card if not for the ref allowing for advantage to continue.
Bradley didn’t make a strong impression on me one way or another, but Onyewu was strong, and an obvious upgrade over Orazco.
I’d like to see if we could get to a lineup camp that looked like this:
————-Altidore—————
——-Donovan–Dempsey–Holden–
———-Torres–Williams———-
-Lichaj—Onyewu–Spector—Chandler
————-Howard—————
subs: Gomez Beasely Adu Shea Bedoya Edu Beckerman Bocanegra Goodson Gonzalez Cheundolo Hamid
I want to see a 433 of sorts and see what Beasley can do starting instead of Shea on his current form…
Beasley Altidore Dempsey
Bradley Beckerman Williams
Chandler Bocanegra Onyewu Cherundolo
Howard
It could be anyone depending on who JK really is interested in seeing start and what tandems he wants to see. That is the 11 I am interested in though.
Assuming all are healthy and able to go 90:
Altidore/Dempsey
Shea/Edu/Bradley
Beckerman
Chandler/Gooch/Boca/Dolo
Howard
———-Altidore————-
Beasely——Dempsey—-Shea–
—–Beckerman—–Wiliams—-
Chandler–Orozco–Gooch–Spector
subs:
Ream or Boca for Orozco,
Agudelo for Altidore
Bradley for Beckerman but plays higher and Dempsey shifts higher as second striker with Agudelo
The US looked really bad against Honduras