US starting lineup

[10 fan]

Sorry if someone already posted this:

Walker -- Hejduk, Pope, Mastroeni, Convey -- Armas, Zavagnin -- Donovan, Beasley -- Casey, Wolff.

Looks like Donovan is on the wing.

[Onionsack]

I like it, but I would rather see Albright at RB than Hedjuk. We know what Hedjuk can do lets see about Albright.

[IlliniFire]

I've been pushing for Donovan on the wing forever, but i'd rather see Convey at AM and kotchau at LB, i don't know how Zavagnin will fare

[JimmieLivealot]

If this is a 3-5-2 with Convey at A-Mid its pretty close to my ideal lineup given whose available. Less excited if Armas and Zavagnian are the only central midfielders in a 4-4-2.

[JoeDub83]

No Doubt that Convey will be attacking down the Left Wing. I saw him play left back in Seattle against Venezuela and he was up and down the wing....Beas can help out pretty good on defense also.

[10 fan]

forgot to add- that above lineup is according to www.socceramerica.com

the shape will probably look a lot like this:
-------wolff---casey-------
---beasley------donovan---
------armas--zavagnin------
convey-pope-mastro-hejduk

With this lineup, I don't expect to see Beas or Donovan get back on D more than a couple times.

[elconejito]

forgot to add- that above lineup is according to www.socceramerica.com

the shape will probably look a lot like this:
-------wolff---casey-------
---beasley------donovan---
------armas--zavagnin------
convey-pope-mastro-hejduk

With this lineup, I don't expect to see Beas or Donovan get back on D more than a couple times.
nope... dont like it

[peterm]

Goddamnit. Playing Armas is a complete waste to begin with, but especially in a friendly such as this where Arena has a real chance to give a younger player a shot.

The Nats haven't played a decent match with Armas back in the line-up and wasn't it interesting the Nats finally win a match, and win a match in Europe and the completely worthless Armas in not on the roster.

[L127]

Seriously, can we move on? Two names jump off the page here. Let's give credit where credit was due, and I think we did, but let's move on. Ricardo Clarke, Beckerman, Gibbs...They are out there, these new guys. Bruce, turn the page!!

[lurking]

The difference between this and a 6-2-2 is negligible. Maybe a 5-3-2 if Convey pushes up a lot. Looks like we will have an ugly game on our hands.. no suprise.

[UxSxAxfooty]

Yippy!

All out counter-attack against Mexico!

On the bright side, look at that speed. Donovan, Beasley, Wolff...

I'm not sure I trust Zavagnin, however.

[Mark424]

No Doubt that Convey will be attacking down the Left Wing. I saw him play left back in Seattle against Venezuela and he was up and down the wing....Beas can help out pretty good on defense also.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that the game where he couldn't even get a cross withing 10 yards of being dangerous?!?

I totally agree with the post that says that Albright should start over Heydude! Frankie is known ... I'm still praying to God that Albright could be our next Sanneh!

Go USA! I hope it is an entertaining match!

[lmorin]

Wow! This is a fun thread to read during game halftime. Did you guys misunderstand the effectiveness and positioning of this lineup or what!!??

[lurking]

The difference between this and a 6-2-2 is negligible. Maybe a 5-3-2 if Convey pushes up a lot. Looks like we will have an ugly game on our hands.. no suprise.
Well I was wrong, its not an ugly game. We really came out and pressed aggressivey and went on the attack. I saw the lineup and thought "Bruce is going to have them counter." Instead its good to see that attacking posture on the field.

Probably the best half of soccer we've played all year. Just havent made some of the best decisions, and finished our chances.

And UxSxAxfooty made a great call, lots of speed on the field is giving the Mexicans fits.

[lurking]

Wow! This is a fun thread to read during game halftime. Did you guys misunderstand the effectiveness and positioning of this lineup or what!!??
Well, I think the lineup indicated that we would follow previous patterns against Mexico, this is not the same attitude we apprached this matchup with in the past.

[HartwickFan]

It looks to be quite a fluid midfield -- Donovan has been all over the pitch, and seems to be playing more of an A-mid than a right wing. Beasley has been all over the pitch as well, and was all the way on the right touch line at least once or twice. It looks to me like we're essentially playing without a right wing in the midfield, and with two d-mids and an a-mid. In any case, our midfield looks suprisingly good to me -- we're disrupting the Mexican attack, and moving the ball pretty well with nice short passes.

[russ]

Waiting for halftime changes.....

I call TT for CC and Noonan at 60 for a mid or Wolff

Albright will get time too I reckon.

[lmorin]

Well, I think the lineup indicated that we would follow previous patterns against Mexico, this is not the same attitude we apprached this matchup with in the past.
OK, you're forgiven! I like LD running the middle. The speed is great! The trouble is up front Wolff has had few touches and didn't look good when he did. Casey has sucked, frankly. Just like the Olympics. He doesn't have the skill and he is too slow.

[russ]

No changes at 45.

[UxSxAxfooty]

I'm impressed.

We've really had the better of possesion and chances. I had expected less control of play, but we're really taking it to this Mexican side. Some of our first touches have been a tad off, like Beasley and Casey's, but otherwise I don't see anything specific to complain about. Our speed is definitely proving to be a huge advantage. Our tackling in the middle and back is tough as nails. I still have yet to see Mastroeni lose a tackle. I notice that we aren't playing with a specific right midfielder and its working well..