USMNT V Scotland Lineup Prediction

USMNT V Scotland Lineup prediction

I didn't see a thread started for this yet and wanted to get one going. Here is how I see we lineup

------------Agudelo----------Gomez--------------

----------------------Torres-------------------------
--F. Johnson----------------------------Donovan--
----------------------Bradley-----------------------

Castillo------Bocanagra--Onweyu----Cherundolo

---------------------Howard------------------------


Zusi has impressed in camp again and wouldn't be surprised if he got a look in MF.

This lineup has goals written all over it. What do you think?

Someone on another board said Dempsey and Jozy will not be available for the Scotland game. If this is true, I will have to rethink this entirely.

It's true.

It seems to big of a risk to put Boyd in against big competition, but if he is fighting for a 23 spot he might give him some substantial minutes to see what he can produce. There is not a hungrier player around IMHO, he has an awesome work ethic and attitude. If he can keep this up, he may turn out to be a big time player for us.

--------------Boyd----------Gomez--------------

----------------------Torres-------------------------
--F. Johnson----------------------------Donovan--
----------------------Bradley-----------------------

Castillo------Bocanagra--Onweyu----Cherundolo

---------------------Howard------------------------

This is what I would line-up against Scotland, I don't mind playing the 4-3-3 with these player selections, at half-time, Gomez could replace Boyd, Donovan tucks in, where this could be the main point of attack, Morales can either replace Cameron or Onyewu, and Bocanegra can be used if there is problems back at defense, Williams and Torres can replace Jones or Bradley or Corona if need be, maybe play that extra possession.
Parkhurst should be given an opportunity at Rightback, resting our main defenders for the Brazil matchup in the days that follow..

4-4-2
Forwards: Boyd and Wondo
Attacking mids: Donovan and Johnson
8: Torres
6: Bradley
Left Back: Castillo
Right Back: Cherundolo
Centerbacks: Boca and Gooch
Goalie: Howard

We know Altidore is out, and I'll assume Dempsey and Williams are as well.

-----------------------Boyd-----------------------
------Donovan-------Torres-------Bradley------
--------------Beckerman------Edu--------------
-Johnson--Bocanegra--Onyewu--Cherundolo-
---------------------Howard---------------------

oop: (don't do this Klinsmann)

Whatever the line-up is, I am sure I won't like it unless Jurgen decides not to be super defensive. Watch Jurgen start:

-----------------Gomez---------------------
-----Agudelo---------------Donovan------
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
----------Bradley---Jones--Edu------------
--Johnson--Boca-Onyewu--Cherundolo-
------------------Howard----------------------

If williams were available, then Agudelo would be sitting.

--------------Boyd----------Gomez--------------

----------------------Torres-------------------------
--F. Johnson----------------------------Donovan--

----------------------Bradley-----------------------

Castillo------Bocanagra--Onweyu----Cherundolo

---------------------Howard------------------------

Castillo will be wide left. Johnson will be LB. I see Klinsmann doing this experimentally for many reasons.

Good Lord, are we conceding the entire middle of the field? It's going to be pretty hard for Bradley, Jones and Edu to complete 70 yard passes to the forwards

i'd imagine he'd have bradley at donovan's spot, donovan where agudelo is and then he'd plug in beckerman where bradley was .

here's what im hoping he plays:
diamond 4-4-2

ST: Boyd, Gomez/Wondolowski
CAM: Zusi/Corona
LM/RM: Torres, Donovan
CDM: Bradley
LB/RB: Johnson, Cherundolo
CB: Onyewu, Bocanegra
GK: Howard

i though about having donovan CAM, bumping bradley to that RM similar to the slovenia game and plugging jones/edu at the CDM spot. However i'm interested to see how zusi or corona plays in that role, as i'd prefer to keep donovan out wide at RW

here's what im expecting him to play:
4-3-3

ST: Boyd
LW/RW: Johnson, Zusi
CAM: Donovan
#8: Edu/Beckerman
#6: Bradley/Beckerman (bradley goes to #8 if beckerman goes here)
LB/RB Castillo, Cherundolo
CB: Onyewu, Bocanegra
GK: Howard

What I think we'll see:
------------------Boyd----------------------
---------Torres------------Donovan---------
------Jones------Beckerman-----Bradley----
Johnson---Boca----Oneywu-----Cherundelo
-------------------Howard----------------------

What I want to see:

-----------------Gomez----------------------
Johnson--------Wando------------Donovan
-------------------------Bradley---------------
----------------Jones---------------------------
Parkhurst----Boca----Oneywu----Cherundelo
------------------Howard-------------------------


I expect to see 4 dmids against Brazil to counter there attack but now since we don't have to deal with Ganso I think this is a mistake but JK is the boss for a reason.

--------------------------------Agudelo(Boyd)------------------------------
Johnson------------------------------------------------------Donovan

-----------Bradley----------Beckerman---------Jones(Williams)----

Castillo--------------Onyewu---------Bocanegra---------Cherundolo

--------------------------------Howard-----------------------------

Could Zusi or Corona beat our Torres for the number 8 role? Toress is a linking player with good ball skills, but both Corona and Zusi could possibily provide more of a physical presence. Its going to hard to tell with Dempsey missing I suppose.

Against Scotland I expect more of a 4 3 3 look.

----------------------------------------------------Aguedelo
-------------Corona----------------------------------------------------------------------Donovan
---------------------------------Torres-----------------------------------Zusi
----------------------------------------------------Bradley
Johnson-------------------Boc-------------------------------------Gooch-----------------------------Dolo

For Brazil

--------------------------------------------Jozy-----------------------Donovan
--------------------------------------------------------Dempsey
---------------------------------Jones-------------------------------------Bradley
-----------------------------------------------------Beckerman
-----------Johnson-------------Boc-----------------------------------Gooch--------------------Dolo

I could see Donovan and Dempsey switched. Donovan would create more space with his speed by Dempsey is the better Finisher. Dempsey has more bite coming back to help when the ball. I would see Dempsey and Donovan's roles interchangable in the final third.

I think JK would like to use Johnson further up the pitch but continuity on the back line is important, as such I could see Goodson beating out Gooch.

------------------Boyd------------------
-------LD---------------------Zusi------
------------Torres-----Bradley---------
------------------Jones-----------------
--Johnson--Boca----Gooch----Dolo--

I agree. I think Zusi is in the starting 11.

Ives' lineup

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...n-klinsmann-test-team-resolve-schedule-052412

I don't like Jones, Edu, and Bradly in together against Scotland at all. And then add in Torres as one of the attacking mids. I don't think so. I don't think Torres is behind Dempsey in depth. I think Corona or Zusi is behind Dempsey.

I also think Torres is in JK's starting 11 with Dempsey. So I imagine one of Jones, Edu, or Bradley will be out. I hope its Edu who, imo, has been the largest liability in possession and creating attacking opportunities.

Now that we have a 23-man roster, here goes my guess:

* Assuming Altidore and Dempsey are not ready for this match.
* Assuming the other thread about Torres starting is accurate.
* Assuming 3 holding/linking/defensive type midfielders and 3 attacking players in the front 6.

-----------------------Boyd------------------------
-----Donovan------------------------Gomez-----
--------------Torrez----------Jones--------------
----------------------Bradley---------------------
Johnson----------------------------Cherundolo
----------------Boca----Onyewu-----------------

--------------------Howard-----------------------

Some fairly liberal subbing in the 2nd half to see Wondo, Corona, Parkhurst, Edu, Beckerman, and Cameron.

For Brazil you swap Altidore and Dempsey for Boyd and Gomez and you sub fewer players. For Canada you play more of the reserves, so that you are not wearing down you XI for the Qualifiers.

I posted my two deep in a different thread but here is how I see the Scotland lineup with Dempsey and Altidore out

---------------------------------------Boyd----------------------------------------------------
------------Corona-------------------------------------------- --- Donovan-----------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------Bradley-------------------Torres-----------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnson-------------------------------Becks---------------------------------------------Dolo
----------------------------- Gooch-----------------Boca---------------------------------------

Its a 4-3-2-1 in which Beckerman sits just in front of the centerbacks. As he has in most of the games he has played in.

Johnson and Dolo, but mainly Johnson are asked to push higher and get in to the attack more.

Bradley serves a #6 and Torres as a #8- Torres is asked to be the link and the playmaker between defense and offense

Coronoa and Donovan are free to cut inside or make wide runs

I truly believe this is the lineup Klinsman desires but with Demp[sey in for Corona and Altidore up top.

I also think Bradley could be replaced weith Jones or Edu but I think right now the spot belongs to Bradley

Clarification: By number I believe Torres will be a #10 and Bradley a #8 with Becks the #6 - However in function I think Torres serves as an 8 and Bradley a 6 while Becks just sits in front of the centerbacks and cleans things up and makes simple simple passes.

With Altidore and Dempsey both out, it will be a crapshoot as to who might start.
Really, it is pure speculation, particularly given the quirkiness of JK and the rotation possibilities for the five upcoming matches (remember the two important ones are the qualifiers at the end).

The United States in training has recently scrimmaged utilizing the 4-4-2 and the 4-2-3-1. Given the absence of Dempsey and Altidore (and with the Brazil match looming Wednesday) along with the clues provided by Torres.

Here is my best effort given the murkiness of the variables:

-----------Boyd------------
Corona --Torres---Donovan
Bradley
Beckerman (Jones starts here vs Brazil)
Johnson Bocanegra Onyewu Cherundolo
TH

This is Ives lineup: (he is predicting the Christmas tree)
-----------Wondolowski---------
------Torres----------Donovan
Edu-------Jones-------Bradley
Back 4 and TH

-------------Boyd-------------
Gomez---------------Donovan
---------Jones-Torres---------
------------Bradley------------
Johnson-Boca-Onyewu-Dolo
------------Howard------------

Wondolowski Gomez
Donovan
Jones Torres Bradley
Johnson Bocanegra Onyewu Cherundolo
Howard