Certainly, the biggest match in JK's tenure, to this point. We face the group leaders, Jamaica with a three point deficit, at home in Columbus. We struggled matching up physically and athletically in Jamaica, Friday night. Changes will be forthcoming both in the starting lineup and tactically. Jurgen has guaranteed a USA victory tonight. Jamaica will be striving for more consistency. Theo Whitmore is considering more MLS players on the Columbus Crew pitch. Adding to the drama, this match falls on the 11th anniversary of 9/11/2001. What changes can we expect: 1. Seasoned veterans, captain Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo will start in the back. 2. Hopefully, a game ready, Clint Dempsey will be utilized behind the single striker. 3. Will JK adjust the Edu, Jones, Beckerman midfield debacle? Each of them had a bad night. 4. Ill advised fouling in our defensive third cost us the match in Kingston town. Hopefully, it will be eliminated. 5. Any surprises in the lineup? Spector, Torres, Williams? 6. JK mentioned the emphasis on width in attack, spreading the field at halftime vs Jamaica, Friday. 7. We lost the midfield battle Friday, tonight it will again be crucial. Here is my lineup: -------------------------Howard------------------------- Dolomite--------Cameron---Bocanegra---------Johnson -----------------------------Edu------------------------- -------------------------------Jones----------------------- -------Spector ------------------------------Torres - - ------ -------------------------Dempsey----------------------------- -----------------------------Gomez---------------------------
Jurgen guaranteed victory? Worked well for Rex Ryan. No work today! Why not start early? Victory today guys
I like the vids and the line-up. I think Dempsey will play off a mobile Gomez better than he would off of Jozy. Altidore will still play an important part off the bench at some point. I remain leery of Torres as a starter against the Reggae Boyz and might go with Shea instead although I'm not that excited about him as a starter either. In best case, Torres will help provide distribution and maintaining possession while Shea would provide width and pace. In worst case, Torres gets overrun and Shea doesn't find his way into the game technically or tactically. If JK is convinced Boyz will bunker, Torres is the pick. I'm not so convinced they will bunker, though. I believe this roster misses mids like Bedoya and especially Kljestan - two guys who match up well physically against Jamaica and can get forward. Sacha has the experience that would come in handy in an important match like this, as well.
Interesting lineup, but I don't think it has the width Klinsman wants. Torres hasn't looked good playing out wide and I think Shea (tho inconsistent) has looked far better for us in that particular position. I love Spector and I know from the confederations cup that he is capable of delivering quality crosses, but I'm not sure he's going to get down the line enough to be a consistent attacking threat on the wing. I think it could easily turn into 3 dm's (1 pure, 2 who get forward somewhat but not enough) and a deep lying passer in Torres who won't have many passing options. You are far more qualified to fill out a lineup card, however, so I'd love to hear how you see this working.
I'm anticipating Shea to be on the wing. I won't be surprised if he doesn't start, but JK needs to throw as much attack as he can at Jamaica. Of course, I was one of the millions of USMNT fans who was unable to watch the game (prior commitment, it was a whole thing...) so if that's not going to work against Jamaica, let me know.
Not a great day for referencing tragedies. At least you didn't pick the one everyone is thinking about today.
Our options in this pool of players aren't very good...here is what I would start with: howard cherundolo-cameron-boca-johnson jones dempsey-torres gomez-jozy-shea we need to be able to link the play between the midfield and the attack, and dempsey and torres seem to be the best options for that. dempsey should be given the freedom to roam and torres will be in a deep playmaker role. here is what jurgen will probably do: howard cherundolo-cameron-boca-johnson beckerman-jones dempsey gomez-jozy-shea