Pre-match: USA vs Mexico, September 10th 2013.

I don't think you need to do anything nutty going in; put Johannsson up top, move CD behind him, and put LD out wide and sit Zusi. LD can cover for either a poor Orozco or a last minute call up playing RB, it gets a true striker on and puts CD in his typical position.

In the midfield, I don't know. I think we'll see Beckerman, but it would be great to give Mix a run out.

 

I like this except I'd call in Klejstan for Beckermen who is on fire for Anderlecht in Belgium. Then I'd call in Lichaj for Parkhurst and Boyd/EJ/Agudelo (if his hamstring is healthy) for Dempsey.

 

If Bradley didn't get hurt I'd agree but our passing and offense relies heavily on him. We need that against Mexico. That or someone needs to seriously step up. Plus Mexico has generally dominated chances and possession against us in our recent match ups. Then again if they can play poor enough to lose to Honduras at home (who we beat in our home match and loss to away because of defensive miscommunication) then maybe we'll be ok.

 

What are the odds Jurgen benches Howard?

 

Yup.

 

very very low

 

Honestly idk - who would thought the man would at one point or another play Sacha Klejstan at LW or Orozco at RB or Danny Williams on the wing? Those days seem to be behind us but after Belgium, Germany, this game, plus a few other matches its becoming clear that Howard's time is waning.

 

Jurgen has to acknowledge that Guzan is gonna end up being the WC keeper, right? Why not make the switch now?

 

Chepo Out, Cheech coming off a benching, US straggling with injuries / suspensions, calls for Guzan....

Suddenly Tuesday is a Battle of the Walking Wounded.

Bring it.

 

I am praying that given Bradley, Besler, Cameron, and Altidore are now out; that we call in Goodson, Lichaj (or Chandler), Kljestan (or Torres), and Boyd (or Wondolowski, Agudelo).

And my starting XI would be:

-------------------------------Johannsson----------------------------
F. Johnson--------------------Dempsey-----------------------Donovan
-------------------------Mix-------------Beckerman--------------------
Beasley-----------------------------------------------------------Parkhurst
------------------------Gonzalez----------Goodson-------------------
------------------------------------Guzan------------------------------

Subs: Zusi (Johnson), Bedoya (Mix), Jones (Beckerman)

Note: I understand there are some headscratchers here, but I went with what team I thought would have the best chemistry. Goodson and Gonzalez have played together before and in front of Guzan, Beas and Parkhurt were our backs in the Gold Cup, and Mix/Beckerman were a deadly duo in the Gold Cup which also pushes underperforming Jones to the bench. Johannsson gets the nod though over Johnson because I think he can offer us more on the counter than EJ who will probably slow play down.

 

With Chepo fired, I see this as being either really good or really bad. Either way, I doubt Mexico will play how they played against Honduras unless the Mexican players have already hung their heads, and they are probably licking their chops at a Bradley-less USMNT.

 

Has Beckerman ever played against Mexico?

 

Looked decent in the Azteca in the friendly we won.

 

I forget who played in that, and am way to lazy to look stuff up myself. Thanks.

 

Do we have time to call in European-based guys?? I could very well be wrong but at this point I'd operate under the assumption that any reinforcements would be MLS- or MFL-based.

Also, is Herculez Gomez hurt?? I've seen a lot of talk of calling up guys like Wondo and Boyd but little if any for Herc, which seems strange as he plays in the MFL (a plus both in terms of availability and opponent familiarity) and he's probably the top guy on the depth chart who isn't hurt and isn't already on the roster.

Another thought for a reinforcement up top--how about Conor Casey?? He hasn't played for the US in a long time but he's on fire in MLS and plays the type of physical game that always gives Mexico problems (and can replace at least that one aspect of Jozy's game).

 

I wish we had Shea for this one. I'd bench Beasley's @SS and put FJ back at LB. Shea at LW.

 

Park the bus and counter. Mexico can't deal with that shit.

 

I'd say we have time to call in Euro guys. Klinsmann is probably on the phone right now, get em on a plane tonight. Gomez was hurt but I think he's better now. Don't see many people vying for Wondo - he's good against scrub B teams in the gold cup that like to bunker for a full 90. Conor Casey ohhh lordy...I'd rather have Boyd, Agudelo (assuming his hamstring is healthy), Villareal if we're gonna go that far down the food chain.

 

Chepo has been sacked! Luis Fernando Tena to be the interim coach:

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...y-coach-jose-manuel-chepo-de-la-torre?cc=5901

 

We need to fix the FB's and keep possession. Only way I can see to do that is for Fabian to play LB and call Bedoya in to play the RB. I would bench Jones, a bunch of us here would, but we all know Klinsi is not going to do that. Would prefer Mixx and Becker, but we will probably get Becker and Jones. Injuries and card accumulation = really bad timing.

 

------------Johannsson---------Dempsey-------------
F. Johnson----Diskerud---Beckerman-----Donovan
Beasley--------Gonzalez----Goodson--------Bedoya
--------------------------Guzan-------------------------

Yikes. Call in Torres too.

 

If Brooks got the start is anybody really worried about how he might do ? I mean he is young and I heard some weeks ago he gave away a penalty for his club team Hertha and well he did okay against Bosina but we saw how he was young and raw. Is he really ready to be put into a game against Mexico ?

 

FWIW according to this article right here:

http://americansoccernow.com/articles/kyle-beckerman-could-play-a-key-role-on-tuesday

Kljestan is in New York so we don't have to fly him in all the way from Belgium. I'd expect him to be in Ohio on Tuesday. And no I can't quite believe we're at the point where we're calling in Kljestan as our potential World Cup qualifying savior.

 

It has been reported that Cepo and Tena have been at odds for some time now, so I wouldnt count on him just following Chepo's plan. Their hands were tied to make this change since any change is better than no change. The team will play better with Tena, however, I dont know if they will play better enough to win or tie.

 

Our loss was to be expected. Their loss was a disaster, at home, that has them facing elimination from the WC.

We didn't play well, but if JK can simply put the right players on the field, in the right formation we will get a win. But, this has always been JK's problem, and why he continues to play the 4-5-1, knowing that almost all our goals have come from a more 4-4-2 is way beyond me.

No Beckerman, please!!!! Jones had a bad first half, but then settled and played well, but Beckerman will kill us.