U.S. learning to cope without Bocanegra

[Scotty]

United States learning to cope without Bocanegra

The United States has made a run to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup by learning how to play without injured captain Carlos Bocanegra.

The defender has been sidelined since June 6 and could sit out Wednesday’s match against European champion Spain because of a hamstring injury.

But Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu have started to show improvement on defense, culminating in Sunday’s 3-0 win over African champion Egypt.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-confedcup-us&prov=ap&type=lgns

[TheRustyEunuch]

Considering the fact that DeMerit is better then Bocanegra I would have to agree the US is "coping" without him.

[Munich_Lex]

I like Bocanegra, but he isn't the best center back we have, and he might not even deserve to start.

I know he's had success at Rennes, but he plays outside back there.

Also, it was strange 07-08 season at Fulham when he was starting and the captain of the team, then when Hodgson came in, he was benched and then just let go.

Most premier league teams don't let there Captain go for free when they should be in their prime.

I think the problem was, Bocanegra's spot wasn't challenged, and even when he played poorly for the nats, or when he wasn't getting club time, he still was our starter. I don't think this would happen on the top National teams throughout the world.

[Via_Chicago]

I have no problem with Bocanegra at all. I've quibbled with the Onyewu-Bocanegra pairing, because I don't think they bring out each other's strengths. That said, Bocanegra is a fine defender who provides great cover at both center back and left back (in a pinch). My biggest beef has not been with Bocanegra but with Bradley, since he's really failed to play other center backs to build depth.

It looks like DeMerit has earned himself a spot in the 23 next summer, barring injury; he deserves it. But Califf is not the answer and Bob seems to agree - starting as he has DeMerit in every match thus far. That last central spot should be up for grabs and the Gold Cup ought to be the battle ground. Parkhurst? Marshall? Someone else?

To sum: We should have learned to cope without Bocanegra (and Onyewu) a long time ago.

[Cujo1126]

I like Bocanegra, but he isn't the best center back we have, and he might not even deserve to start.

I know he's had success at Rennes, but he plays outside back there.

Also, it was strange 07-08 season at Fulham when he was starting and the captain of the team, then when Hodgson came in, he was benched and then just let go.

Most premier league teams don't let there Captain go for free when they should be in their prime.

I think the problem was, Bocanegra's spot wasn't challenged, and even when he played poorly for the nats, or when he wasn't getting club time, he still was our starter. I don't think this would happen on the top National teams throughout the world.

Boca does't play outside back at Rennes!

CB-----CB-----Bocanegra

When you play a 3-5-2, there are 3 center backs and NO outside backs.


This position:
CB---CB---CB

is more similar to this position:
RB---CB---CB---LB

than it is similar to this position:
RB---CB---CB---LB

[tsaldana3]

Boca does't play outside back at Rennes!

CB-----CB-----Bocanegra

When you play a 3-5-2, there are 3 center backs and NO outside backs.


This position:
CB---CB---CB

is more similar to this position:
RB---CB---CB---LB

than it is similar to this position:
RB---CB---CB---LB

According to football-lineups, he HAS been playing as an outside back all season.

http://www.football-lineups.com/lineup/81015/