Pre-match: Hex Match 1: Feb 6 USA @ Honduras

I really hope the next game is in January, but that's a different topic.

 

1st page, but this.

Too long until February - especially since JK doesn't like to put out the roster until the weekend before.

Give me a Camp Cupcake. Roster late in December. Three week camp to get us through January and then the Hex. Fills the time much better.

 

Not just that, but we need a fitness camp (which is what the January camp is for) for the MLS players. I'd also argue that it'd be helpful to get a couple games against teams like Venezuela and Panama for guys like Gonzalez who may or may not be needed for this February game.

 

Don't like:

Dempsey in central midfield
Altidore over Gomez


Would go with

--------Gomez
Dempsey-------Donovan
----Jones---Bradley
----------Williams
Johnson-Bocanegra-Cameron-Cherundolo
-------------Howard

assuming 18 man roster

Parkhurst, Altidore, Zusi, Kljestan, Edu, Guzan, Gonzalez

 

Let's rock their world and make a statement to the other teams in the Hex, right out of the chute in our first qualifier.

 

Exactly the XI I would expect from Klinsmann as well for a difficult away match. Jones hits the bench for Zusi if it's a home match.

However, three months could change everything. For example, Klinsmann will have to consider the fact that Donovan and Zusi are out of season.

 

You take that back right now!!

 

I think he means in MLS. As much of a fan of Donovan I am, when it comes to a permanent move I'll believe it when I see it.

 

--------------------Altidore--------------------
Dempsey----------------------------Donovan
---------------Bradley---Jones----------------
--------------------Williams-------------------
Johnson-Bocanegra-Cameron-Cherundolo
--------------------Howard---------------------

Combination of what I think and what I hope it will be. Probably will see Gomez ahead of Altidore though.

 

If he's at Everton I'll be ecstatic, because then he'll be in Honduras near a beach in February.

 

Because we've never played Donovan and Dempsey as our outside players before... Donovan is perfectly capable of providing width. Dempsey will tend to drift inside a bit more, which will open up space for FJ to overlap.

 

I'm not even going to be able to watch this one, but I'll give it a whack anyway:

GKs: Howard, Guzan, Rimando (3)
CBs: Cameron, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Gonzalez (7)
RB/LB: Chandler, F. Johnson, Castillo, Cherundolo (11)
MF: Bradley, Zusi, Jones, Diskerud, Kljestan, Gatt, Williams, Edu (19)
FW: Dempsey, Altidore, Boyd, Gomez (23)

-------------------------Altidore------------------------
Dempsey-------------------------------------------Zusi
---------------Bradley-----------Kljestan--------------
--------------------------Jones-------------------------
Johnson---------------------------------------Chandler
---------------Onyewu---------Cameron--------------
------------------------Howard-------------------------

 

One benefit of so many Honduras nats being in MLS is that their first 11 may be more affected by the MLS offseason than ours!

 

I think they only have two or three regular starters in MLS.

 

Wow, what have you seen from Zusi that you hate to keep him out of a roster of 24?

 

In their last game in a must win against Canada, they started 4 MLS players

Bernardez, Martinez, Garcia; Bengston

and had a 5th on the bench (Chavez)

 

The definition of a cap is any appearance in a national team game including friendlies.

Do not confuse getting caps (which Gonzo has 2) with being cap tied (which Gonzo is not).

 

One thing to consider is that Herc is the only forward we have who has extensive experience as being a second half sub and being affective in that role. He has scored many goals in Mexico in the super sub role.

I think it takes a special skill, both mentally and physically to know you only have 20 minutes but can still be affective at it.

 

What network will be broadcasting? Please don't tell me BeIn...