Current Best 11/ Moving Forward

Discussion in 'USA Men' started by MI-Soccerfan, Nov 15, 2012.

  1. MI-Soccerfan

    MI-Soccerfan Member+

    Jan 19, 2012
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What do you want to see moving forward? What is the current best 11 for the US headed into the Hex?

    I believe the only position currently unsettled is centerback. In my opinion you can pencil in Cameron but we need another starter and 2 backups. For me Boca remains the starter for a few more games while Gonzo is worked in to the mix and eventually takes the starting spot

    For me I see the 4-3-3- as the direction we want to head for the future so that is the lineup I would put out, but I could see us using the 4-2-3-1 through qualifying

    My best 11 with depth in a 4-3-3

    ----------------------Jozy/Boyd------------------------
    Dempsey/Gatt----------------------------Zusi/Klejstan
    --------------------Dono/Mix-----------------------------
    -------------------------------Bradley/Jones-------------
    ------------------------Dwill/Edu-------------------------
    FJ/Parkhurst-----Boca/Gonzo---Cam/Brooks---Dolo/Chandler

    I think for the 4-3-3- to truly click it needs a slightly more forward more attacking mid to link with Bradley. I see honestly the trio of Dempsey,Donovan, and Zusi all interchanging through the run of play. I also think a healthy Holden takes the Dono spot and pushes Zusi to the bench but we may never see that Holden

    The other option I see is a 4-2-3-1/ 4-2-2-1-1

    With the players being the same but Dempsey playing more as a withdrawn forward and Donovan pushed out high and wide.


    Other players competing for spots in my mind Gomez/Agudelo/Shea/Seb Hines/ Besler / Beckerman
     
  2. bmo180

    bmo180 Member+

    Jan 25, 2012
    [​IMG]

    subs: Jozy, EJ, Jones, Kljestan, Gonzalez, Chandler, Mix, Gatt, Guzan

    I'd like to see Jozy play with this team in Gomez' spot in friendlies, I think playing with Donovan and Zusi would help him alot
     
    Pl@ymaker repped this.
  3. Bookmesir

    Bookmesir Member

    Oct 14, 2012
    Club:
    FC Aarau
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think JK loves Jones too much to leave him off the field...
    And we'll see Donovan on the left with Dempsey underneath either Herc or Jozy up top.
    Midfield trio of Jones, Bradley and Williams
    Take an educated chance with Chandler and move him ahead of Dolo on the right, you know he will defend.

    ----------Gomez-------
    ------Dempsey----------
    Donovan---Bradley----Chandler
    -----Jones----Williams
    Johnson---Boca---Cameron---Dolo
     
  4. schrutebuck

    schrutebuck Member+

    Jul 26, 2007
    A bold lineup call. I prefer bmo180's, except with Altidore instead of Gomez.


    1 year ago in the equivalent thread, I had the same lineup except Jones instead of Williams, Chandler instead of Zusi and Onyewu instead of Cameron. It's not really important, I'm just curious how my lineup taste has evolved.
     
  5. SweetLife

    SweetLife Red Card

    Oct 4, 2010
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    11 players!! I hope the ref does not figure it out!
     
  6. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Zuso has to prove himself beyond average CONCACAF competition to be first XI material. That's why I'm disappointed he didn't make the Russia match. What are the biggest worries about Zusi? His on the ball skills and lack of pace. His crossing also took a dive as the pace/pressure increased. Just ask EJ and Clint. He's contributed against average CONCACAF teams, but how would he have handled less time on the ball under higher defensive pressure against Russia? We don't know yet. I'm worried his lack of on the ball skill and break away speed might effect him against better international competition, as we haven't seen him in that environment yet.

    A guy like Rogers looked pretty good at times against CONCACAF competition, but when it went up another level his lack of skill and pace showed. Guys like Gatt/Shea have international level pace although they clearly have to improve elsewhere, but that's this a quality we know could be an asset and threat against a Russia, a France, a Italy, a Mexico. They have the pace to create opportunities. Can Zusi create at that level without as much space to operate?

    I'll have to see it first. I hope he can, but won't say he can until I see it.
     
  7. AutoPenalti

    AutoPenalti Am I famous yet?

    Sep 26, 2011
    Coconut Creek
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So no Howard?
     
  8. MI-Soccerfan

    MI-Soccerfan Member+

    Jan 19, 2012
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Brave call to play without a keeper
     
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  9. Bookmesir

    Bookmesir Member

    Oct 14, 2012
    Club:
    FC Aarau
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I always wanted that 4-2-3-1-1 to somehow work :0
     
  10. ktorp18

    ktorp18 Member

    Aug 31, 2012
    [​IMG]

    Bench: Guzan, Boyd, Cherundolo, Kljestan/Mix/Zusi, Danny Williams, Gonzo, Gatt/Pontius

    This is the formation that I always used in FIFA 12, and I still think it is our best option.
    FORWARDS
    Altidore, Donovan and Dempsey up top give us three players who can score and create goals. Johnson and Chandler attack from the back, so Dempsey is allowed to cut in on his right foot. Donovan can roam centrally or cross balls in from the wing.
    MIDFIELD
    The one undecided aspect of the team is in the midfield. Klinnsman has been playing with 2 or 3 CDMs every game, and that hurts our attack. We need a more attack minded player to take the place of Williams or Jones. While I do not like Jones going forward, I think he is a workhouse and can be the perfect person to clean things up in front of the backline. The battle for the Kljestan/Mix/Zusi spot really seems like Zusi's to lose right now, but I would definitely like to see Mix get a chance to show what he can do. Bradley is the most important player on the team right now, and the attack goes through him first. He is a deep lying playmaker in the formation.
    DEFENSE
    I have Johnson and Chandler as the wing backs, and Cherundolo is really the only other option here. Center defense is a bit of a mess, and Cameron seems like the only one who somewhat has a handle on his spot. Not sure what the status is on Boca's injury, but I would give Gonzo a chance to take one of the CB spots. I would also keep an eye on Onyewu to see what he can do with Malaga.
    GOALKEEPER
    Obvious choice.
     
    sXeWesley repped this.
  11. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So, how do you keep Jones disciplined and not free-lancing out of the #6 role? Do players lose their personalities in FIFA12? :D;)
     
  12. Cool Hand Luke

    Cool Hand Luke Member+

    Aug 13, 2008
    Austin Texas
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's FIFA13, you NOOB!
     
  13. ktorp18

    ktorp18 Member

    Aug 31, 2012
    I don't think Jones has a problem doing that IRL. Klinnsman isn't asking him to stay back. It seems that he actually wants Jones to push forward.
     
  14. silverlion

    silverlion Member

    Nov 23, 2001
    Brooklyn
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [​IMG]


    Familiar line-up in a 4-3-1-2 formation.


    Reserves and Subs:
    Gomez
    Boyd
    Gatt
    Zusi
    Shea
    Edu
    Torres
    John
    Castillo
    Lihaj
    Gonzalez
    Cherundolo
    Guzan
    Rimando
     
  15. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Going off of what is likely, I'd go with this:

    a) 4-3-3
    ------------Howard------------
    Dolo--Cameron--Boca--F. Johnson
    ------------Williams------------
    ------Bradley----Jones----------
    Donovan---Gomez----Dempsey

    ===========================

    Personally, I think Dempsey is our best striker, and F.J. is our 3rd best attacking MF (behind Dempsey and LD). I also think Jones is a better 6 than Williams. And that Jozy can play fine if he has a partner up top. So that would mean, somewhat unconventionally, this:

    b) 4-4-2

    -------------Howard-----------
    Dolo---Cameron---Boca--Chandler
    -------------Jones--------------
    Donovan---Bradley---F. Johnson
    -------Altidore---Dempsey-------

    When Jones feels the need to surge forward, he'll either have to stuff it, or make sure Bradley is in a position to cover.
     
  16. rossk

    rossk Member

    May 19, 2002
    richmond va
    I've really liked the few times I've gotten to see Mix play. He's confident on the ball and isn't afraid to try things.

    Donovan --------Altidore---------Dempsey
    ------------------Mix
    ------------Bradley
    -----------------------D. Williams
    F. Johnson Bocanegra Cameron Cherundolo

    This will give us a true attacking midfielder. Not sure Mix is a starter but I'd love to see this tried. And Dempesy is allowed to wander. Cause he'd do it anyways.
     
  17. jimmy2823

    jimmy2823 Member

    Nov 10, 2011
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    im surprised that most people think that mix leapfrogged so many people after just playing for 3 minutes.
     
    StillKickin and Berks repped this.
  18. USfootballer89

    Mar 6, 2008
    new orleans
    Club:
    CD Olimpia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ---------Howard----------

    Dolo-------cam---boca----Johnson----

    ----------------jones--------------

    ---------corona------Bradley -------

    -----Dempsey --------------Donovan-----

    --------------Gomez---------------
     
  19. WJMarx

    WJMarx BigSoccer Supporter

    May 5, 2003
    Boulder, CO
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Silliness remains Bigsoccer trademark. Chandler recalls how much he loves the USA, plays one mediocre match against Russia and moves ahead of Cherundolo. Get real!
     
    StillKickin repped this.
  20. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Here you go downplaying a player's contibution again. Mix played for TWICE that much, thanks to added time!

    :D
     
  21. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    U have been a member for a year...


    ...u shouldn't be at this point. Buck up son and pay attention!
     
  22. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mixx will have a serious chance to prove himself in gold cup 2013. If he does really well it could catapult him into the world cup squad in 2014.
     
  23. Bookmesir

    Bookmesir Member

    Oct 14, 2012
    Club:
    FC Aarau
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Its precisely when we don't keep the ball in areas we should, with Jones anticipating and getting caught just far enough upfield, that we get hammered on the counter, our backs recovering madly, one eye on ball, the other on man, and mammoth passing seams open up inside for the easiest of straight through balls that slice and dice us with Howard called upon to clean up what is really a midfield issue.
    (How's that for a Faulkner-esque sentence?)
    Which is why we see most teams that are battling a well oiled possession oriented side defend in a Mourinho inspired 4-5/5-4 with the DCM's needing to be central, present and blocking the initial inner seams from ever developing.
    And so, my fellow Argonauts, in search of our particular golden fleece, I offer, WITH a keeper (I know, its an ultra-conservative move, but I've learned my lesson well):

    -----------------Howard---------------
    Dolo------Cam------Boca------Johnson
    --------Williams-------Jones--------- in a 4-3-3: Williams behind Jones/Bradley
    LD------------Bradley----------Dempsey with LD and Dempsey asked to do a bit more on D*
    ------------------Jozy---------------------

    *which brings the question of their legs to mind. Do we want to be in a situation where either one of these guys needs to come off in the waning minutes, precisely when they have produced the most clutch goals we've needed in the past? Or do we just presume that at this point, LD has done all he can and will not be capable of late game heroics anymore? I would prefer to believe LD's glass is half-full, not empty, and he will rise to the challenge for his last WC.

    Sh*t we could go pseudo-Espana, retro-new age Sampson and put Dempsey et al as roamers, with no true forward, and play a 4-6:
    Howard
    Dolo-Cam-Boca-Johnson
    Jones-Williams-LD
    EJ-Bradley-Dempsey

    Haha....aha....something for everyone to piss on....fire away!
     
  24. sXeWesley

    sXeWesley Member+

    Jun 18, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Agree 100%.

    As for this:

    So he can play the 6, (in high style), for Blackburn and Schalke, but not for us? :rolleyes:;)
     
  25. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    If Bocanegra is out for whatever reason, do we take a flyer on Edu again at CB? I thought that was a reasonable experiment after going back and watching the Mexico match again.

    I think I prefer him over Goodson, and I don't really like Edu at all in general.
     
    braun repped this.

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