US vs Costa Rica @ Denver Friday 3/22 10 PM EDT (8 MDT)

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Real Corona, Feb 7, 2013.

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  1. dlokteff

    dlokteff Member+

    Jan 22, 2002
    San Francisco, CA
    Really braun?
     
  2. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's the time zone difference which is the issue, not hours on a plane. But either way, these guys have done it many times and your adrenaline gets pumping leading up to the game.
     
  3. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree the time zone is a bigger factor.
     
  4. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    After thinking on it a couple days, the only change I would make from the starting XI would be to sit Williams and play Edu as the guy shielding the back four. Williams isn't playing well enough, and that's a role Edu can execute.

    You could also talk me into sitting Jones, provided his replacement wasn't Williams or Beckerman.
     
    swedust, Mr Martin and COMtnGuy repped this.
  5. GiallorossiYank

    GiallorossiYank Member+

    Jan 20, 2011
    NJ/Roma/Napoli
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just win. Convincingly. Please.
     
    Berks repped this.
  6. braun

    braun Red Card

    Feb 22, 2001
    metro Boston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yup.
     
  7. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Let's play a game: USMNT - Jigsaw puzzle

    a) The purpose is to win. To win we need goals. Who scores goals? Dempsey. We want to put him in a position to score goals. He is almost 30. We know his game. He is a "withdrawn" central striker. 2nd striker. He plays off a central, forward (target) striker. Let's put a target forward, central striker in front of him. We have been using Altidore some, are there better candidates or is Altidore a good one to draw heat off Dempsey so he can score?

    b) we can no longer play 433 because we have opted for 2 central striker. The 6 in the 433 goes and we play with 2 d mids instead. Let's put Bradley and Jones there, the 2 cm's we have been using in Klinsi's tortured 433, and drop Klinsi's prefered 6, Danny Williams.

    c) Neither Dempsey nor Jozy are considered "creative" in the attack, altho their short game aint bad, as befits 2 central strikers. We should look, then to the wide players, on the wings to create. However, they have to be scorers as well because otherwise opponents cud just lay off them and cover the only two scorers, Jozy and Dempsey, conveniently situated in a blob in the middle. That would especially be so as the cm's lack a 6 behind them and thfore shud stay back in defence except for obvious situations when opponents are leaving a vacuum forward, "cheating" as it were. I would suggest EJ and Dono, because both can score goals.

    d) back line - who are the good players and how to fit them so we have the skills we need: wide defence and offence from the fullbacks, plus a good aerial game and passing out of the back and some scoring from the back 4, in addition to solid defence. Fab is an assist machine and I wud put him at rb so he can combine with creator Dono and fire assists into the enfilade (wiki it) of EJ's aerial game at the far post, target Jozy and opportunist Dempsey. The other fb needs to stay back in defence and the ideal for that on the left side is Cameron with his defence in the open field, pace, physical presence and experience gained at Stoke. Gonzo scores (Hedges does too) and Besler passes well (Hedges too) so Gonzo and Besler it is with John and Hedges in the development squad.

    We just built a team. Game over.

    Fab gonzo besler cam
    ----- Bradley. Jones.
    ------Dono. Dempsey. Ej.
    ------------ Jozy.
     
  8. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
    We might need to bring Goodson back in for these next two qualifiers. Only CB playing regularly at high level. He'll hopefully have three regular season games with Brondby under his belt before Costa Rica match. Wouldn't start him against Mexico though.

    Also have to seriously consider bringing in Orozco and Beasley for Mexico match, not to mention Joe Corona and Castillo.
     
  9. Editor In Chimp

    Editor In Chimp Member+

    Sep 7, 2008
    Just because those guys play in Mexico doesn't mean they're any good.
     
  10. ChrisSSBB

    ChrisSSBB Member+

    Jun 22, 2005
    DE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gonzalez does not look ready to me and this is too important a match so can't see starting him. Plus, with a Cameron/Gonzalez pairing, Howard is probably keeping an eye on them more than he normally would his CB's and that can be a distraction from him doing his own job. Give Howard at least one CB that he can feel confident of what he will do.
     
  11. braun

    braun Red Card

    Feb 22, 2001
    metro Boston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How about Bocanegra?
     
  12. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Jozy sucks at the lone #9. It's not about effort, he just stinks. Not good enough in the air and his touch isn't good enough. If he's on a team that plays the ball on the ground and possesses the ball a lot, it can work. But we aren't, so he isn't.
     
  13. Vios

    Vios Member

    Apr 22, 2008
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I would like to see Geoff/Edu and Eddie Johnson as subs (I'm on the fence about giving Eddie the start over Herc). Geoff for the most tired looking central mid at about 65-70 min. I'd like to see Eddie in for the most ineffective striker anywhere between 60 and 75 min. There should be a dedicated D-Mid. I don't think Jones will "follow orders" the whole game so it has to be Bradley and if Edu/Geoff comes in that will be his role regardless of who he subs in for. Problem: we need speed AND experience at outside mid. So Chandler provides the speed and Dempsey the experience. Dempsey has done well at left mid before, but if Herc, Altidiore, Eddie can't score then of course Dempsey has to move up - which leaves poor options for left mid. Fabian has to get more involved in attack (picking the right moments of course). I admit that Zusi may need to get involved. But Chandler is very fast and I think he would do a great job providing the width we miss so much. The backline has to be built around Boca until he gets wheeled off in a wheelchair. Experience trumps the liabilities of "old age". I have nothing against Geoff, but I think the team would benefit from building up Gonzalez's confidence and besides Geoff is a legitimate D-mid option. If Dempsey moves up top Eddie is potential left mid option.


    Herc Altidore



    Dempsey Bradley Jones/Edu Chandler



    Fabian Boca gonzalez Parkhurst/Cherundolo
     
  14. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Let's get some width. Assuming no Dolo and no Landon.

    ---------------Howard--------------
    Parkhurst--Cameron--Boca--F. Johnson
    ----------------Edu-----------------
    ---------Bradley----Jones----------
    Dempsey----Gomez-----Beasley
     
  15. Chance

    Chance Member+

    Minnesota United FC
    United States
    Apr 5, 2012
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If anyone saw Beasley last night it is clear that he still has the ability to come on as a sub and make a difference. CALL HIM UP.
     
    Beazley17 and Winoman repped this.
  16. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    I wish we had a friendly available to us, but I think Klinsmann needs to find balance. Balance between the defense and attack, balance within the attack, balance in defending.

    The #1 issue I see for the USMNT under Coach Klinsmann is spacing. Things are either too congested, or we have someone who's swamped and all alone. The striker is too far removed from the midfielders, the midfielders don't offer enough width, the wingbacks are treated as outlets rather than wingers.

    We need to get away from this amorohous blob midfield. We need wingers who provide width. Our midfielders aren't good enough to cut through a crowded defensive midfield. We're not Spain. By using wingers we for defenses to protect more real estate. I like his idea of having a dedicated defensive midfielder. That was probably Bradley's biggest error in strategy. But the two central midfielders in front of the DM have to be far more balanced. Meaning if that one of them goes forward, then the other needs to be a bit further back in reserve. Either to defend against a counter, or for a late run into the box to finish an attack.

    On the outside, those play makers on the wings have to stay near the wing, and our wingbacks need to stay back and allow them to take risks on the ball when the attacking mids are on the ball. When they do cut in, that's when our wingbacks need to bomb forward - and the back line needs to cover, which means the other wingback should be back as well. We shouldn't have BOTH outside mids cutting in, and both wingbacks bombing forward at the same time.

    At striker, if you want to use a real striker, then he needs to get the ball in a position where he has options - regardless it if it is back to the goal or facing goal and running. He shouldn't be getting the ball, and then be the focal for 3 or 4 defensive minded players.

    That's balance.

    -----------------Besler------------Cameron-------------------
    ----Chandler---------------------------------------Johnson---
    --------------------------JJones----------------------------------
    ------------------Bradley---------Dempsey----------------------
    ------Donovan*---------------------------------Shea-------------
    -------------------------Jozy/EJ----------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    *Obviously assuming if he's still part of this national team. I'd go right to Josh Gatt is LD isn't availible. Zusi just doesn't do it for me. Zusi:Klinsmann :: Bedoya: Bradley
     
  17. Vios

    Vios Member

    Apr 22, 2008
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree with Rob Stone: One thing we could always count on was speed and defense. If our expanded pool included our traditional strengths (which it could with the right tweaking), then I would feel much better about the future...Of course width and crossing came with that speed.
     
  18. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    Frankie Hejduk provided definitely width and speed. Looking dangerous isn't the same thing as being dangerous.
     
  19. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    On second thought, this is what I'd do if Donovan isn't availible,

    -----------------Besler------------Cameron-------------------
    ----Chandler---------------------------------------Johnson---
    --------------------------JJones----------------------------------
    ------------------Bradley---------Sacha------------------------
    ------Dempsey--------------------------------Shea-------------
    -------------------------Jozy/EJ----------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
     
  20. Dr. Gamera

    Dr. Gamera Member+

    Oct 13, 2005
    Wheaton, Maryland
    Whoever changed the title to include "6 PM EDT (8 MDT)" doesn't understand how time zones work. Hint: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
     
    COMtnGuy repped this.
  21. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Member+

    Feb 11, 2002
    Jupiter, Fl.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I put this in the Besler thread, but I think it belongs here too:

    USA vs. Antigua & Barbuda Bocanegra Goodson win
    USA vs. Guatemala Clarence Goodson (Geoff Cameron, 46), Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), tie
    USA vs. Jamaica Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron loss
    USA vs. Jamaica Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) win
    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]U.S. Antigua & Barbuda [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.)(LB) [B]win[/B]
    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]U.S. vs. Guatemala [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) [B]win[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]


    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]USA vs. Honduras [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron,[B] loss[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]

    [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]Bocanegra 4-1-0 , 0-2 without him[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]Cameron 3-1-2[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]

    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]Goodson, 2-1-1[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]

    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]Gonzalez 0-0-1[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]
     
    yellowbismark and Konut repped this.
  22. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A better stat might be

    USA vs. Antigua & Barbuda Bocanegra Goodson ONE GOAL CONCEDED
    USA vs. Guatemala Clarence Goodson (Geoff Cameron, 46), Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), ONE GOAL
    USA vs. Jamaica Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron TWO GOALS
    USA vs. Jamaica Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) ZERO GOALS
    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]U.S. Antigua & Barbuda [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.)(LB) [B]ONE GOAL[/B]
    [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=14px][COLOR=#544d4d][FONT=Arial]U.S. vs. Guatemala [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]Geoff Cameron, Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) [B]ONE GOAL[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]
    USA vs. Honduras Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron, TWO GOALS
     
  23. HouseHead78

    HouseHead78 Member+

    Oct 17, 2006
    Austin, TX
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The worst part about the single fixture dates is that if you lose, you have a month and a half of hand wringing to read on here before we can get the taste out of our mouth.

    Can't wait for Costa Rica.
     
    Paul Calixte and bungadiri repped this.
  24. COMtnGuy

    COMtnGuy Member+

    Apr 5, 2012
    Higher than you
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Anyone know when teams will release players for March FIFA dates (22-26). Since 22 is Friday, I am wondering if we will have a few more days (Players in town on 18th, Monday) of real practice to get organized.
     
  25. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    Per the chalkboard he got on the ball much more than any other mid or forward in the game.
     

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