mfw13
21 Jun 2009, 06:12 PM
For me its as follows:
Altidore & Dempsey up top with Donovan slotted in behind them as the playmaker. Three central midfielders (Feilhaber, Bradley, Clark), simply because we have no good defensive midfielders who can play out on the wing. Gooch and DeMerit as our centerbacks with Bocanegra at LB (he played there early in his career at Fulham) and Spector (or Cherundolo if healthy) at RB.
Reasoning:
- Dempsey is a striker (witness how he scored on his first chance against Egypt after being moved up front), not a midfielder. He's good in the box, but doesn't track back defensively and is not a good crosser or playmaker.
- DeMerit was a rock in the center of defense and really opened my eyes. Just as strong as Gooch in the air, good positioning, and good with the ball at his feet.
- Gooch is dominant in the air, but still a disaster with the ball near his feet. How he managed to not block DeRossi's goal I'll never know.
- I put Bocanegra at LB only because I think he's a better option than Bornstein there and because the dropoff between him and DeMerit in central defense is minimal.
- Our biggest issue tactically right now and in terms of our formation is finding some midfielders who can defend on the wing. As Beasley has showed over the past five games, he is no longer up to the task due to his loss of speed, and we really don't have anybody else who can get the job done right now.
Altidore & Dempsey up top with Donovan slotted in behind them as the playmaker. Three central midfielders (Feilhaber, Bradley, Clark), simply because we have no good defensive midfielders who can play out on the wing. Gooch and DeMerit as our centerbacks with Bocanegra at LB (he played there early in his career at Fulham) and Spector (or Cherundolo if healthy) at RB.
Reasoning:
- Dempsey is a striker (witness how he scored on his first chance against Egypt after being moved up front), not a midfielder. He's good in the box, but doesn't track back defensively and is not a good crosser or playmaker.
- DeMerit was a rock in the center of defense and really opened my eyes. Just as strong as Gooch in the air, good positioning, and good with the ball at his feet.
- Gooch is dominant in the air, but still a disaster with the ball near his feet. How he managed to not block DeRossi's goal I'll never know.
- I put Bocanegra at LB only because I think he's a better option than Bornstein there and because the dropoff between him and DeMerit in central defense is minimal.
- Our biggest issue tactically right now and in terms of our formation is finding some midfielders who can defend on the wing. As Beasley has showed over the past five games, he is no longer up to the task due to his loss of speed, and we really don't have anybody else who can get the job done right now.