I agree that an in form Chandler would be a great starting RB, I don't know that I'd feel tremendously better with GCam at CB than anyone else, as I've not seen enough of him at CB to be any more excited about his ability to play with Besler than anyone else, at that position. I feel very comfortable starting him on the right, but I agree, an in form and fit Chandler would be a nice alternative. Is Jozy clearly better than Aron? I don't know if you can say that. They both scored a ton of goals at the same level. You can't compare Jozy and Aron today at any other level than that as Aron hasn't had the opportunity to try out the EPL. I don't know how anyone would be saying today that Jozy is clearly the better option than Aron. Physically he is stronger, and he may be a better target forward, but who knows if JK will play a system against Ghana employing a target striker. In 2013, Jozy was doing very well in his role. A season later, who knows how he'll do? It all depends on the offensive scheme, and how they do in training. But in April of 2014, I don't know if you can say with 100% confidence that Jozy is far and away the best American striker. I know I won't. I think he's a great striker when he is in the right offense, and when confident. But I would be willing to gamble with Aron if Jozy's form in training is poor and Aron's is great. Personally, in other threads I've argued that we should move Demps to the 9 role, relieving him of any defensive responsibilities. IMO he's more dangerous on the ball around the goal than anyone we have right now (other than maybe Wondo in the 6 yard box).
Yep, that's the dilemma. He's so smooth on the ball that I like him in the center of midfield (think his long Pirlo like assist to EJ), and he has so much confidence right now playing with Stoke on the right side of defense that I'd like him there as well. I think we have potentially as good or better options in the center of the park who play that role day in and out with their club sides that I don't think we lose much with GCam not playing there, but you can't say the same at RB, right now. Again, I just don't know about his current ability to play central defense. He hasn't much for the national team of late, and certainly hasn't for Stoke, so I say keep him where he plays day in and out. Keep it simple for these guys. It's a short time to gel and learn the tactic. Trying to also get comfortable in a different role than one he's been playing for the past 9 months seems potentially counter productive, especially when we don't have a clearly better option at that position. Chandler may be a better option, but he'll be just getting back to full fitness and may not have even played a full 90 by that time. Not an option most likely, unfortunately.
Altidore Dempsey Bradley Donovan Zusi Edu Beasley Goodson Besler Cameron Howard Subs for offensive spark: Bacon, E. Johnson, Yedlin Subs for defensive strength: F. Johnson, Jones, Beckerman
After thinking on it for a night here is my updated starting 11. -------------------- Demps -------------- Fabian ------------ Donovan ------------- Bedoya ---------------- MB -- Cameron Beasley --- Besler -- Omar --- Parkhurst -------------------- Howard Subs if down a goal: EJ for Bedoya Mix for Parkhurst (Cameron to RB) Davis for one of Fabian or Beasley (which ever looks to need a sub) Subs if up a goal or 2: Jones for Parkhurst (Cameron to RB) Jozy for Donovan (Dempsey drops back) Davis for one of Fabian or Beasley (which ever looks to need a sub)
I voted for nine names plus "other" ------------johannsson-------dempsey --------------bradley--other1------zusi ------------------------other2 --cameron---besler-----------gonzo--fabian -----------------------howard--------- Other 1 is Powers, other 2 is Edu. Edu should have been included in the poll. This would be for Ghana. I would have to tweak for Cristiano.
Wow. I like Powers a lot but the guy has never been capped..definitely not ready to just jump into a starting role in a WC.
Someone who is not included in this poll but who could certainly "just jump into a starting role in a WC" would be Feilhaber. (Although JK looks to prefer Davis, or other and younger options.)
I am also not yet ready to replace Jozy. I think we could use his hold up play that's gotten better and his physicality, something playing other strikers don't get us. Right now I'm very open to striker being a position that will require a sub in the game. Also open to playing different options through the May camp as long as it's not someone random who hasn't had a chance to play with the current team much at all (see: Juan Agudelo).
Wondering if "other" includes Beckerman. I had a hard time thinking about him versus Jones knowing Jones' situation and Beckerman's speed.
Dempsey--Donovan Bedoya-Bradley-Zusi ------Beckerman----- FJ--Besler-Gonzo--Cam Beckerman's the 'other'. Maybe could replace Cam with Parkhurst and put Cam in Beckerman's spot. I'm kind of unsure which between Parkhurst and Beckerman I feel more comfortable starting. But I don't like Bradley and Jones playing together (I think it's been discussed on this board enough as to why it's a problem). I really would like Jozy to be on the field, but I think giving Donovan more of a free range role and keeping Bedoya/Zusi on the wings is better. Obviously then, the other option would be to replace Bedoya with Donovan so that Altidore starts. Though I could also see Donovan being more of an impact sub, so you could leave Bedoya on.
I voted these 10 names: Howard; F.Johnson, Besler, Gonzo, Cameron; Bradley, Donovan, Zusi; Dempsey, Altidore. The most vulnerable of these 10 are Gonzo and Zusi. Then I voted "other" for my 11th starter, which could be any of: Jones, Edu, or Williams as the DM -- to be determined. If I had more prep time I would change things up and move Cameron to DM and use either Chandler at RB or Ream at LB (with FJ at RB). MY preference, not what I think JK will do.
Always a fun exercise. Ghana: 4231 -- leaning right Code: Altidore Fabian Johanson Zusi ^ Bradley Jones Edu Besler Cameron Parkhurst Howard Portugal: defensive 352 -- spare man in the back Code: Altidore Dempsey ^ ^ Bradley Donovan F.Johnson Jones Cameron Goodson Besler Gonzalez Howard Germany: 4141 -- hope they've qualified (assuming Jones is suspended on yellow card accumulation) Code: Altidore Dempsey F.Johnson Bradley Bedoya Beckerman Beasley Besler Cameron Parkhurst Howard
yyyyyyep. that's why my choices for the Ghana match would be: ---Wondo--Dempsey--- Bedoya - Bradley - Zusi ----------Jones----------- FJ-Besler-Cameron-Parks Some of this is kind of awkward, I'll agree. I mean, Bedoya works better on the right, but I just don't see Donovan as a starter right now. Jones only gets in if he'll park his *ss where it belongs, right behind Bradley. Otherwise, Cameron or Beckerman should take that spot. But it's all with a massive grain of salt anyhow. The showings in the warm-up friendlies will almost definitely change this. oh damn. I nearly forgot about Edu. If he keeps up his current form, he could be Jones, without the airheaded discipline issue.
I've seen some posts here leaving Zusi off the starting XI. I really don't see how you do that. He's been consistently good for USMNT, plays some great crosses, and is probably the most tenacious defender out of our wing options. Why would you leave him off?
For me: -------------Howard----------------- TC/Parky--Cameron---Besler---Beasley -------------Jones------------------ Bedoya---------Bradley--------F. Johnson --------------Donovan-------------- ---------------Dempsey------------ If Chandler can't get healthy, I'd start some combo of Camern and Parkhurst on the right side. But I have to admit, I haven't quite decided who would play where. I don't trust Gonzo or Jozy, they both get the bench. In response to the last post, while Zusi has been good latley, I think Bedoya is actually a much more tenacious defender, and that's what we'll need in Brazil, especially with RB so unsettled.
He hasn't seen the pitch or started since? And won't ever after whickham scoring more goals in todays game than he has all season. Doesn't deserve a start.
That's fair. I've seen them both do well in that respect. But I don't think Zusi is much worse in that respect, while he's probably the better winger from a service/offensive perspective. Maybe the right answer is to play him @ Ghana, and Bedoya @ Portugal. But honestly, I'd like to have them both on the field in the right situation.
I don't see anyone else with his skillset. Not playing EJ over him in that spot. Wondo/Bacon is a different player. Agudelo/Boyd - not enough prime time with the team. If we had a ready replacement, great. I don't think we do. I'm not comfortable selecting him for the reasons you mention, but I just don't see a next best alternative.
------------- Altidore ---- Dempsey ------------ Donovan ---- Bradley ---- Cameron ---- Zusi F Johnson -- Besler -- Gonzalez -- Parkhurst --------------------- Howard ------------------
--------------Altidore--------------- AJ---------Dempsey------Donovan -------Bradley-------Jones--------- FJ-----Besler--Omar :/---Cameron --------------Howard---------------
Switch Zusi with Bedoya and seconded with reservations re Gonzalez. I am worried about that but maybe Parkhurst can mitigate the screwups.
----------------------Altidore---------------------- -------------------------Dempsey----------------- -------------------Bradley------------------------- --------Donovan------------------Zusi----------- --------------------Beckerman------------------- Parkhurst----------------------------F. Johnson --------------Besler--------Cameron------------ ----------------------Howard--------------------- In a 4-4-2 Diamond: If we're going to attack down the flanks with out backs then I don't want to see Cameron out there he can't deliver quality crosses. I'd rather see F. Johnson out there as he has looked pretty damn good at right back for Hoff in attack cutting inside or staying wide to deliver quality crosses. At left back I'd say give Parkhurst another go in camp and if he keeps performing then the position is his. Cameron for Gonzo and Besler keeps his spot. Zusi starts over Bedoya in this formation due to his superior passing skills. In a 4-2-3-1: Bedoya in for Zusi on the right to give and Jones in for Beckerman next to Bradley.
Donovan should really be played as a striker at this point in his career. He has been playing mostly as a striker for the last 2 years but for the national team, Jurgen still uses him out wide. Bruce Arena probably knows the most about Landon and he plays him up top. I think Jurgen should too.
I would go with: Altidore Fab Dempsey Donovan Jones Bradley Beasley Cameron Goochi Parkhurst Howard My other is Parkhurst or Chandler if he returns in time. Bradley and Jones will play more of a double 6 for the first 65. JK has referred to them as "the 6s" in a couple of recent pressers. We need more of a physical presence and attitude from the CB pair especially against Ghana. I don't want to spend the next 4 years watching replays of KPB bouncing a USMNT CB and scoring. KPB won't be bouncing Goochi and GCam has the strength, quickness and long-legged defending to contain the prince.
The Talisman has played 6 matches for LA this year. He played 4 in midfield (3 LM, 1 CAM) and 2 at S.