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

What will JK do nobody knows?

Based on what he's decided to do with the defense he's not going to change it. Best thing to do is play 4-3-3.

Chandler--Gonzalez--Cameron--F. Johnson

---------------Bradley--Jones
-------------------Fielhaber
E. Johnson-----Gomez----Dempsey

 

What will JK do nobody knows?

Based on what he's decided to do with the defense he's not going to change it. Best thing to do is play 4-3-3.

Chandler--Gonzalez--Cameron--F. Johnson

---------------Bradley--Jones
-------------------Fielhaber
E. Johnson-----Gomez----Dempsey

 

So, you think a guy (Fielhaber) not even selected for Hex game 1 or to start in Friendly, will be starter in Hex game 2?

 

I believe he said he has no idea what will actually happen and then stated what he himself would do. So, no, I don't think he's saying he thinks that will happen.

 

WTF, people? Disagree with the point being made if you want, but this is a legitimate point of view. Take out the first line, and it's well articulated. I'm not sure I buy the argument fully, but it's thought-provoking, at least for me it is. We have struggled in recent matches with wide play, and it's quite possible a returning Donovan would not be our wide attacking answer against the elite sides we are likely to face at WC14.

Closer to home, closer to now, what's the answer for Costa Rica and for Mexico? I assume Donovan is not going to be with us. Is Shea back on form? Can Gatt improve his combination play to go with his speed and aggression? Does EJ continue to get run? Or is it more square pegs (Sacha, DW) in round holes out wide? EJ is where I'm at right now.

Possibly FJ moves up with Castillo in the back, but I don't think we'd do that just yet. Back 4 needs more reps with FJ and TC wide.

 

No, it's not. Again, whether or not Donovan can beat Marcello in a 1v1 has absolutely no bearing on whether he should start for the USMNT because no one in our player pool can take Marcello 1v1 (except maybe Clint, on a good day). So his (or her) point was, in fact, not legitimate. Plus, I don't think it is at all reasonable to think that Donovan in his prime (assuming arguendo that he is not now in his prime) would have taken Marcello 1v1. Donovan's never been much of a 1v1 player. The whole argument was a complete mess on every level.

 

Klinsi obviously told Dono to run at Marcello because he wanted to see what Dono could do, where he was at.

Donovan has always been a great midfield runner who can run slants and wide curves which is much harder to defend than straight line running because it opens angles and forces the opponent to close those angles with a combination of several defenders instead of one.

My own view is that we should put Fabian behind Dono on the right to overlap and put Cameron at lb to defend behind Shea or EJ. Teams will figure Dono is the playmaker, over defend him and presto here comes FJ, fastest fb we've got to overlap, turn the corner and feed our scorers, Dempsey, Jozy and EJ. I dont think we have played with a Fab/Dono combo, have we?

 

I am also working under the assumption that should the US face Brazil at WC2014, Marcelo very likely would be out for that match serving a red card suspension.

(Not that Brazil's next in line left-back would be a significant downgrade in quality.)

 

This thread seems to have veered off course. Can we please get back to our MNT beating Costa Rica next month in Kansas City.

 

You mean DENVER?

 

Have we gotten that far off course?

 

Because...?

 

Personal observation and opinion: he's a punk and a dirty player (who tends to gather his fair share of cards).

(Or maybe I have some selective memory for whatever reason.)

 

Oh, I went looking for competitions in which he earned a red card, trying to find a multi-match suspension that would carry over into the 2014 World Cup. I certainly found red cards! Just none that would carry over.

 

Klinsmann has options here of course. He could play Fielhaber, Klejstan, or Diskerud. I would play Fielhaber. The team has to attack though. I'm still pissed about the defense...

 

FEILHABER.

 

Yes, but the USMNT pool is awash with players who could simply take Marcelo on 1v1. I just can't seem to think of any at the moment.

 

This should be our starting lineup. No need to explain why. obviously.

Howard
Chandler. Gonzo. Demerit. Castillo

Jones. (DMs) Bradley.

(RW)Donovan. Beasley (LW)
(CF) Dempsey

(ST) Altidore

 

I'd like to see Demerit make a return for this game. Cameron and Gonzalez are the future but we also need to focus on winning games now or else we could find ourselves in trouble in the hex. I hope JK goes with some more experienced players rather than getting too caught up in his long-term plan.

 

Demerit is not the solution, and you know it.

 

This sucks. EJ and Gomez, how sub-par.
Gonzo, unproven.
Feilhaber, not on the radar.

 

If we're going to play in Looper country, why not just sic a Looper on 'em?

 

Me = 4-4-2: Guzan; Parkhurst, DeMerit, Cameron, F. Johnson; Dempsey, Bradley, Jones, Beasley; Gomez, Altidore.

Still, no way Guzan, Parkhurst, DeMerit, or Beasley start, though the 1st two will at least be on the squad.

Jurgen: unrecognizable asymmetrical 4-1-3-2: Howard; Chandler, Gonzalez, Cameron, F. Johnson; Edu; Bradley, Jones, Shea; Dempsey, Altidore.

 

Does anyone know what is or is not "the solution" to the US successfully getting through the Hex?

I certainly think DeMerit could have played some beneficial part with the NT in Jan and/or Feb of 2013, and I'd be interested to see if he is called upon in future months, and if he has any solid/helpful contributions.