PBP: Costa Rica vs USA U20: 2/22 CONCACAF U20

I'm hoping to see something like this:

Cuevas-- Kiesewetter--Joya
-------------Gil---------------
-----------Trapp-Lopez-------
Ocegueda-O'Neill-Stanko-Okuonu
---------Cropper

Good breakdown by americansoccernow.com

Sounds like CR's U20's really haven't played much together the past year or so, but they definitely have some talent.



http://americansoccernow.com/articles/tab-ramos-leads-u-20s-to-the-concacaf-championship

My preference assuming we stick in the 4-3-3:

------------------Cropper-------------------
Okwuonu*--O'Neill---Torre----Ocegueda
---------------Stanko----Trapp**-----------
--------------------Gil-------------------------
Villareal-------------------------------Cuevas
-------------------Allen-----------------------

*Or Miller, if healthy.
** Wouldn't mind Lopez either, but would like to give Trapp another chance with a fellow holding mid.

My complete preference:

Same back 5
----------------Stanko---------------------
Joya------------Gil-----------------Cuevas
------Villareal----------Kiesewetter-------

Not sure if this was mentioned in the other thread, but it appears the winner of the Concacaf U-20 tournament earns a #1 seed in the U-20 WC draw. Less important in the youth ranks, but still a nice bonus were it to happen. Don't think the strategy should change from treating the QF like the final, however.

RC, I think Joya would put in a better defensive effort in his natural position.

Or at least you'd assume so, right?

I've gone back and forth between Joya and Villareal at RW like 5 times today.

4-5-1
GK: Cropper
RB: Miller
CB: O'Neill
CB: Torre
LB: Ocegueda
CM: Stanko
CM: Lopez
LM: Cuevas
RM: Joya
AM: Gil
CF: Villareal

I think the main problem is that we need a switch in formation. As has been said by many others, the formation we played last night was the most disappointing part of last night's game.

Okwuono is not a RB. He provides nothing going forward, and happens to be an undersized CB. Just because he is an ideal height for a RB doesn't mean you can force him to play there. Miller or someone else that has played RB before needs to play RB.

I would keep O'Neill at RCB, move Torre inside to LCB, and bring Ocegueda in at LB. I was shocked that he didn't start against Haiti. He needs to start against Costa Rica, there is no reason to leave him out of the lineup.

Trapp was awful, which is why I would have Stanko play the destroyer role against Costa Rica. That is his most natural position, and its not easy to play CB when you are a natural DM. I thought Lopez would and probably should have started in the center of the midfield against Haiti. I expect him to start against Costa Rica.

Joya was bad against Haiti, but he needs to start in his natural position. I have beat a dead horse on this stuff with the USMNT. You can't be playing your best players out of position. Joya is a winger and needs to play on the wing. Cuevas was the lone bright spot against Haiti, he needs to be in the lineup at LM against Costa Rica.

Up top, I would drop Rodriguez. I watched that game wondering how he is one of our four or five best strikers. I realize that Rubio Rubin is only 16, but please don't tell me that he would have done any worse than Rodriguez. Anyway, I am sure we have better options right now than both of these guys. Rodriguez is probably just a favorite of Ramos.

Villareal didn't do much against Haiti, but he is one of our best players and needs another start. I would start him up top with Gil playing in a withdrawn role.

I could see Kiessewetter or Allen getting the start with Villareal playing as the second striker. Assuming thats the case, Gil would probably start with Stanko in the center of the midfield.

I would be astonished if Ramos goes with the same formation. We need to play a more balanced formation. 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 is what we need to go with.

Kiesewetter has only played wing under Ramos, don't know if we'll see him at CF.

Beating a dead horse, but I'm watching this Galaxy/TJ friendly, and combined with his previous performances, McBean should've been there.

Here's his goal from tonight:

Guido, Garza, and Rodriguez also played tonight for Xolos. Oscar Sorto (HGP) was the other U20 player besides McBean playing for LA, who won 6-2.

When I mentioned outscoring the opponent, my mind wasn't exactly on Haiti... Ha. I have not much too add to the previous thread except two things 1. Set-pieces or the attempts at them were rather poor. 2. Wingers: I wasn't expecting us to use speed here. At best...

-------------Villareal
Cuevas--------Gil--------Kiesewetter
----------Lopez-----Trapp
Ocegueda--O’Neill---Stanko---? (anyone who can at least control the ball)

Subs 1. Serna for either Gil, Lopez or Trapp moving Gil down. 2. Joya for either winger or Villareal moving either Kiesewetter or Cuevas to striker. 3. Any other use.

Not including Joya simply due to defensive cover, which is the main priority for this 11. I'm unsure on Trapp but adjusting the defense at every turn is risky. The 3 up top interchange while also having the option of Kiesewetter at corners, hopefully Ocegueda offers more liberties for Cuevas. Lopez and Trapp recover but unless this is the key match I would not have all midfielders go 90 minutes, the roster handicaps a bit. On paper. this should do for quick counters.

I am not seeing this on the FoxSoccer channel listing on Verizon. Is this game on today or is the guide wrong?

Read the thread title.

What I want to see....

----Cuevas----Villareal----Joya-----
-----------------Gil-------------------
-------------Trapp---Stanko---------
--Ocegueda--Torre--ONeill--Okwuono-
-----------------Cropper---------------

What I think we'll see...

--------------Kiesewetter--------------
------Cuevas-------------Villareal----
-----------Gil----------Joya-----------
----------------Trapp-------------------
--Ocegueda--Stanko--ONeill--Okwuono-
-----------------Cropper-----------------

Agree fully, I think one of Stanko/ONeill needs to be moved into a dual 6 with Trapp, Trapp isn't a true defensive midfielder but does a good job (from what I saw last game) of moving the ball around, and it would allow him to do so much more if he had Stanko next to him breaking up plays. Torre was actually pretty solid defensively last game, just offers absolutely nothing going forward, which proves why he is normally a CB. I'm hoping for some sort of change in shape of the midfield at the least...

That's what I meant. I see that on thread title - but when I look at FSC guide (on Verizon), I don't see it. Just checking something didn't change/now tape delayed. Just so I can set the DVR appropriately.

Someone please shoot me now. Sorry for wasting thread real estate.
LOSER!

Does anybody have a link to a live stream of FSC? I'm not sure if it is possible to watch a live stream online with a subscription.