I thought about putting this in a thread, but there were too many to choose from. http://www.mlssoccer.com/extratime . Most likely, Jose Francisco Torres will get the starting nod in midfield. The Pachuca star told recently ExtraTime Radio podcast that Klinsmann hopes “every pass goes through me.” It would not be surprising. I think Torres has been in the starting 11 in JK's mind for awhile as a creative, linking player. Maybe this means we see less of Edu, who has some defensive bite but has really killed some attacking combinations in the past.
Linking, yes. Creative, not so much so far. Dangerous, not much at all, for club or country. No problem with Torres starting against Scotland as he is a unique player in the USMNT pool and it is certainly worth time in a friendly to see if the USMNT can have the right mix of players to utilize his skills. But I remain skeptical that this can be done and that building a lineup around his skill set is optimal.
I completely agree. I think his skillset is a missing link in the team, but I am not sure his weaknesses don't undermind that benefit. Which is why I would want him included in replace of Edu with guys like Jones and/or Bradley as Dmid help. Its also why I would not want him pushed forwards too much and expected to create and act as an attacking mid. He's a very good linking mid, imo that is a defensive liability.
Fair enough. JK has rated him high from the start. It's only fair that if he's healthy he be given a chance to prove JK right or wrong with play on the field, and with mostly first teamers. Should settle (or even further) the debate.
playing for possession, 10 passes before the goal. I like that we're testing ourselves. Let's see how it holds up against a team that pressures high or against a team like Brazil that can finish and not get called offsides 12 times a match.
I hope he starts. Torres and Bradley is the central midfield combo with the most upside for this team. We need to see more of them together. I know they didn't do well against Slovenia in the WC. But that was two years ago and both have seen a positive evolution in their game since. The reason I like Torres and Bradley is that they provide a great combination of deep-lying playmaking and positional discipline. They probably have the best passing range of our holding mids. Jones is up there with them too, but doesn't match them when it comes to positional discipline. That's part of the reason he picks up so many fouls and cards. Our central defensive pairing continues to be one that needs lots of shielding and a compact midfield right in from of them. How can we achieve that while getting some offensive flow and rhythm from the central midfield? The answer is to find a couple players with good passing range and who can follow instructions in terms of maintaining defensive shape. Bradley and Torres are the perfect fit for what this team needs.
I think he'll be starting against teams like Scotland where we can dictate the tempo and flow of the game. Against teams like Brazil where we need more muscle, grit and guys that will run no stop, we'll see guys like Edu and Bekerman to protect our back four.
I'll be happy to see this, if for nothing else than proof that it should be Mike and JJ starting in those positions at all times.
someone please explain the difference then between a linking and a creative midfielder? A diamond with Bradley on the bottom, Torres on the top, Donovan on one side, and whomever else on the other, with Dempsey and Altidore up top is our best offensive lineup.
A lot of it is terminology. Diamond looks like this: ----------XX---------- --XX------------XX-- ----------XX---------- Obviously the player at the top of the diamond attacks more and the guy at the bottom defends more. Under both Bradley and JK we have played more like this: ---XX---------------XX-- --------XX----XX-------- The two guys at the bottom of this formation have been called various things. Defensive mids. Holding mids. Under JK one has been the 6 and the other the 8.
A linking midfielder is generally not quite as worried about getting involved in creating chances and more about making sure that the ball just gets into the attacking third. He pretty much feed the balls into the attackers. Torres is a linking midfielder, but he also has a really good effect on the overall game by dictating tempo, spreading play, and keeping the ball. A more attack minded midfielder is probably like Sacha Kljestan. His goal against the Netherlands in the Olympics perfectly illustrates what he's all about. He gets the ball into the final third similar to Torres, but afterwards, he looks to break into the attacking third off the ball. The problem is that this can leave spaces in the midfield for the opponent to counter-attack.
i've always liked torres. He struggled in the world cup, but he's played well when given the chance lately, and apparently has looked good for his club team. So why not, at least for this friendly? He's a good passer, a good set piece taker and has good vision. Not a bad asset to have in your midfield, especially if we are focusing on dominating possession
I want to add that there is a big difference in tactically how the formations play under BB v JK. 7-8 of 10 times under JK we have played more like this: ---X11-----X10------X7-- --------X6----X8-------- The 3 players at the top are attacking mids (AM), the 2 at the bottom are center mids (CM), with the #6 a DCM
I also think JK is planning to start Torres. He praised him a ton last fall, before his injury knocked him out for a while. Klinsi likes the kid. Now, I'm still not convinced Torres should be the key linking midfielder who we funnel ball ball through, which implies building the team around him to a degree. I still see Torres as more of a change-of-pace role player who would be really useful off the bench rather than starting important games. And I'm not sure I like having only 3 true attacking players in the front 6. It strikes me as very conservative; playing to minimize damage. But I'll keep and open mind and hope for the best. It's hard not to like Torres' touch and potential.
You make an important distinction. Some central mids (Kljestan, Bradley in the last cycle) do make a lot of runs forward, with and without the ball. There are obviously plusses and minusses to that. A player like Torres can provide tempo and rhythm while staying deep and keeping things compact. I think Bradley can do this too, as he showed against Italy. I really hope we see those two together. It is the combination with the most upside for this cycle.
I really like Torres' game but also have similar questions. I'm optimistic he could be very valuable with the likes of Donovan, Dempsey and Jozy in front of him to feed the ball too and I think this is where JK see's his true value as well...unfortunately, we won't see that against Scotland. Frustrating that JK still hasn't been able to field his true vision. The wait continues.
I would prefer Edu and Bradley just because they broke up play vs. Italy so goddamm well, but I am willing to give Torres a run, I like what Klinsmann is trying to accomplish with this move. Lets start to outplay the teams we beat, not just outscore them
That is how I see it, 2 DM 3 AM 1 FW with the 5 MIDS helping on D. ------------Altidore-------------- Donovan---Torres----Dempsey -------DM-------Bradley------
And Holden is a combination of all of these things. I really hope he can get back to similar form, but he's been out f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Now back on point, I agree with your assesment of Torres 100%. The one area that he needs to and can possibly improve is making that final pass. He'll likely never take a lot of shots, but I would love to see him as a poor man's Xavi.
IMO, when it comes to teams that are clearly superior and we need more defense I would agree a Bradley/Edu/Jones type combo is our best bet. But for teams we "should" be able to play with or beat we don't need the overly defensive formation. It actually stifles our attack IMO. Torres can excel here and those games are what we will see for the majority of CONCACAF qualifiers.
In the 4411 used against Italy you'd need to go with some combo of Jones/Edu/Bradley. Against a team like Scotland Klinsmann can just use the diamond style midfield used against Slovenia. Torres, Bradley, and Edu can play together in such a midfield.
What? Where would Torres be in a 4-1-2-3? --X------X-------X -----X--------X-- <- here? ----------X------- <- here? ---X---X---X---X
I'd forgotten about that. You're right. And it allows MB (another good set piece taker) to be on the end of those set pieces in the box. Probably not why you would start JFT, but I could easily see this combination scoring a goal for us in one of the upcoming matches.