Fabian Johnson: '87 @ Hoffenheim

Fabian played LB last weekend. I hope to God JK can figure this out.

Forget about Johnson not fitting with Löws concept of "germanischer" football (whatever that is suppossed to mean), Johnson missed basically two years when he went to sit on the bench at Wolfsburg and thus did not make the transition from the German U21 to the senior side.

He now is a 23/24 year old establishing himself at a mid- table Bundesliga club (and without a fixed position so far), when guys younger than him are playing European football at Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen, etc. If Johnson wants to play regular international footie, making the switch to the US was definitely the right choice.

Really?

Also, by last weekend do you mean against Nurnberg where he had two assists, or against Bayer Leverkusen where he was largely invisible?

I believe he played LB about 3 weeks ago and looked very good.

He was played at LB against Nuremberg but Chandler picked up the red card so there wasn't a whole lot of attack on that side.

He played right MF in a 4-1-4-1 against Leverkusen in a relatively new and more defensive formation given the players Stanislawski used in those positions. He played LB against FCN in a more attacking-minded 4-1-4-1 formation. Against SCF he played RB in a 4-2-3-1 with, again, many of the same players in the positions they played in the Leverkusen match. Before that they played a 4-4-2 double-6 formation where Fabian played right MF again, and with many of the same players in the HSV/Leverkusen matches which they lost.

To be honest, it seems like Holder Stanislawski is grasping at straws with the constant changing of formations and personnel he seems to be doing. Not sure how much of the current club success, of Fabian's form, has to do so much with Fabian himself but rather the coach's inability to find a formation and group of players and stick with it.

Best USA player on the field tonight?

What a find.

At this rate he won't be in Hoffenheim for much longer.

Thank you Germany. FJ may have anymore potential than Chandler. He has some of the attacking qualities of a true winger while Chandler is more of a classic fullback runner.

He was also matched up well with Hulk.

It was probably too good for us to get both our fullbacks supplied by Germany but I'm glad FJ is committed to the cause.

The best part is that he's locked in with us, since he already filed his one-time switch. He seems like a more creative and crafty player than Chandler at this point in time.

The Nutella commercial wasn't needed after all! He was worth the wait, we finally have a decent left back!

Chandler is 2 years younger than Johnson he will keep improving we need him as our RB.

Well, as much as I don't like it, I agree. If Chandler shows up before the WC and says he wants to play; we probably add him to the squad.

If he shows up in the locker room 15 mins before the first game in the world cup, we start him. He's 22 and a really good RB, who knows how much better he'll be in two years. He really has tons of potential.

why do you think chandler is that much better than lichaj?

lichaj is only 23 and will also only keep improving.

I'm sure the rest of the team who fought through qualification would love that.

He was at Wolfsburg but they did not use him much...wrong coach and format. Fabian thrives under coaches like JK who allow him to move up and down that side as long as they get support covering back. He shut down that wing perfectly, but Brazil is not a flanking team. It will be itneresting to see how he does against other European teams that play a more flanking game, but I am sure he can hold his own...he sees that every weekend in the BL.

As for staying at Hoffy, who knows. The new regime there may have other plans. But clearly FJ will be a BL player for years to come.

I'll take all three and a few more to boot. Competition is a good thing.

The rest of the squad would be more comfortable with a 24 year old Chandler then a 35 year old Cherundelo.

Lichaj will have displaced Steve by that point.

I hope he does before then.

Cherundolo, probably the most under-rated and under-appreciated class US players ever.

Not if my boy Timmy Chandler shows up!

Don't hold your breath for Chandycakes.

Always the first to get replaced for a more promising younger player. OMG next great thing...... yea ill take the guy who has played in the BL for the last 15 years and captained his country and Club numerous times.

Giovanni Von Bronckhorst started at FB in the last WC at 35. Everyone should cool their jets on replacing Steve. He is really a classic act and fantastic fullback.