Starting XI vs. El Salvador

[braun]

Guess: (4-4-1-1)

Keller

Cherundolo Pope Gibbs Bocanegra

Sanneh

DonoVan Beasley

Reyna

Mathis

McBride

[m vann]

My ideal line-up:

------------------------------Keller------------------------------

------'Dolo---------------Pope-----------Gooch---------------Boca

-------------------Mastro---------------------Convey-------------

-------------------DMB------------------------Donovan------------

-------------------Johnson--------------------Wolff----------------


Subs:
Mathis for DMB
McBride for Wolff
Russell for 'Dolo

[guamster]

Regarding Reyna:

Reyna chances of playing Saturday are deemed '50-50' as U.S. qualifiers loom. (http://soccertimes.com/americans/2004/sep28.htm)


Keegan said if Reyna is not fit to play against Southampton, he would object to Reyna joining the U.S. for the qualifiers, but admitted the final decision rests with Arena.

If he plays on Saturday against Southampton and assuming he does not aggravate the injury, Reyna will most likely be available for the US-ES WCQ.

[CbR]

F it,,let reyna sit. We seriously dont need him. El salvador is like playing an injury depleted MLS team in terms of talent. Lets just put alot of destroyers out on the field and play an ugly 1-0 game. why risk injuries

[Sanguine]

--------------Keller
Cherundolo-Pope-Boca-Convey
---------Reyna---Zavagnin
------Donovan-------Beasley
----------Wolff--Johnson/Buddle (but McBride of Ching will probably start instead)

If Reyna can't go, put Mulrooney in his spot.

[voyager]

--------------Keller
Cherundolo-Pope-Boca-Convey
---------Reyna---Zavagnin
------Donovan-------Beasley
----------Wolff--Johnson/Buddle (but McBride of Ching will probably start instead)

If Reyna can't go, put Mulrooney in his spot.

I like this lineup. A lot of speed. Very offensive-minded. Some height in there as well, with both Johnson and Buddle being 6' 1". The only change I *might* make is to replace Pope with Gibbs. I am also hoping that Bruce brings in Gooch or Marshall to camp and that we may see either one of them as a sub in one of the next 3 games. Wishfull thinking, I guess.

[bigRYAN]

Keller

Hejduk Pope Boca Vanney

Jones Sannah Donavan Beasley

McBride Casey

Howard
Ching
Zavagnin
Convey
Gibbs
Gooch
Lewis

4 more people in the camp
Cannon
Johnson
Buddle
Gavin

[smith07]

My ideal line-up:

------------------------------Keller------------------------------

------'Dolo---------------Pope-----------Gooch---------------Boca

-------------------Mastro---------------------Convey-------------

-------------------DMB------------------------Donovan------------

-------------------Johnson--------------------Wolff----------------


Subs:
Mathis for DMB
McBride for Wolff
Russell for 'Dolo

dmb on the right side? Might want to switch that around

[Mr Martin]

1. What I would like to see assuming Reyna isn't ready and O'Brien is still in Holland:

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

Cherundolo----Pope----Gibbs---Bocanegra

-------------Sanneh---Zavagnin---------

--------Donovan------------Beasley-----

-----------Wolfe--------Ching-----------

Subs: Gavin, Johnson.

*************
2. What Arena is likely to do assuming Reyna isn't ready, O'Brien is still in Holland, and knowing that this is a road qualifier less than a week before another qualifier. Arena has been alternating outside backs and occasionally a forward.

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

Sanneh----Pope----Bocanegra-----Hejduk

-------------Armas---Zavagnin---------

--------Donovan------------Beasley-----

-----------Wolfe--------McBride---------

Subs: Jones if we're leading. Mathis and Ching if we're behind.


Then, Reyna, Ching, Cherundolo, and Convey will start against Panama later in the week.

[Mr Martin]

My ideal line-up:

------------------------------Keller------------------------------

------'Dolo---------------Pope-----------Gooch---------------Boca

-------------------Mastro---------------------Convey-------------

-------------------DMB------------------------Donovan------------

-------------------Johnson--------------------Wolff----------------


Subs:
Mathis for DMB
McBride for Wolff
Russell for 'Dolo

Why do some people insist on playing Convey as a HOLDING/DEFENSIVE midfielder? I'm not just picking on you. I've seen it from other posters in the past.

Convey almost always plays left midfield or center/attacking midfiled. With the Nat's he usually plays left back. I have no recollection of him playing the kind of holding midfield role that players like Reyna, Zavagnin, Armas and other can play.

I've also seen people put Lewis in that holding midfield role. I don't get it.

[MLSNHTOWN]

Why would we want to switch away from the lineup that kicked so much ass for us?

I say we start:

GK: Whomever
D: Dolo on the right for crossing, Pope and Gibbs in the center, Boca on the left (on the road, figure it is better to have stronger d instead of Convey)

M: Donovan, Beasley, Mathis/Reyna and Mastro/Reyna/Armas/Zav.
F: Casey and Ching

At mid: If Reyna can go, he is in with Mastro
If Reyna can't go, Mathis is in with Mastro
If Bruce is really risky Mathis and Reyna
If Bruce is not risky Mastro and Armas/Zav.

[HogDaddy]

1. What I would like to see assuming Reyna isn't ready and O'Brien is still in Holland:

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

Cherundolo----Pope----Gibbs---Bocanegra

-------------Sanneh---Zavagnin---------

--------Donovan------------Beasley-----

-----------Wolfe--------Ching-----------

Subs: Gavin, Johnson.

*************
2. What Arena is likely to do assuming Reyna isn't ready, O'Brien is still in Holland, and knowing that this is a road qualifier less than a week before another qualifier. Arena has been alternating outside backs and occasionally a forward.

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

Sanneh----Pope----Bocanegra-----Hejduk

-------------Armas---Zavagnin---------

--------Donovan------------Beasley-----

-----------Wolfe--------McBride---------

Subs: Jones if we're leading. Mathis and Ching if we're behind.


Then, Reyna, Ching, Cherundolo, and Convey will start against Panama later in the week.


I think Mr. Martin has it about right. I expect a more veteran lineup on the road, and a younger lineup at home. Depending on Reyna's status we may see him in El Sal, and not at home. I don't think Bruce would expect to get 180 minutes out of Claudio considering his recent injury. If were only going to get one game out of him, I would rather that be on the road where I expect we will play more defensively.

[onefineesq]

Why would we want to switch away from the lineup that kicked so much ass for us?

I say we start:

GK: Whomever
D: Dolo on the right for crossing, Pope and Gibbs in the center, Boca on the left (on the road, figure it is better to have stronger d instead of Convey)

M: Donovan, Beasley, Mathis/Reyna and Mastro/Reyna/Armas/Zav.
F: Casey and Ching

At mid: If Reyna can go, he is in with Mastro
If Reyna can't go, Mathis is in with Mastro
If Bruce is really risky Mathis and Reyna
If Bruce is not risky Mastro and Armas/Zav.

Simple reason ............. the old lineup ISN'T kicking ass. We've had 2 extremely fortunate draws on last minute equalizers and a 2-0 victory against a bad team that we played for 2/3 of the game up a man at home against. Casey and Ching have been ineffective as a starting tandem. Reyna looked un-fit against Panama as he was huffing and puffing in minute 65, yet people want him to start this game despite the fact that he has spent more time on the injury table since the last game and as a result is even LESS fit now. I just don't get it.

[ACGreen]

I hope that we just plug in a b-team goon squad and don't risk permanent injury.

Two words: David Stokes.

He is just coming of in impressive game replete with a brace against the Guatemala City YMCA U16s at RFK.

Take what they give and live to fight another day.

The Sallies are dead enders and are going to play dirtier at home than they did at Gillette. In the worst case we draw and seal the deal at home.

#2 Forever!

[braun]

Simple reason ............. the old lineup ISN'T kicking ass. We've had 2 extremely fortunate draws on last minute equalizers and a 2-0 victory against a bad team that we played for 2/3 of the game up a man at home against. Casey and Ching have been ineffective as a starting tandem. Reyna looked un-fit against Panama as he was huffing and puffing in minute 65, yet people want him to start this game despite the fact that he has spent more time on the injury table since the last game and as a result is even LESS fit now. I just don't get it.

You are right, but it is not Reyna, Casey or especially Ching (since he has been productive for the USMNT this round) starting that determines whether the USMNT kicks ass! There were field/weather conditions, bad luck hitting posts, referees, etc. that played roles.

Reyna will start, especially if he plays for Man City tomorrow and doesn't get hurt, since he is better than anyone else in central midfield. Arena may think that it is better to have an injured, but willing Reyna start, instead of Zavagnin, Mastroeni, or whomever.

Look, Hejduk may start at RB, since Sanneh has been getting used to and may be slotted in at DM (if Armas is not starting at DM). It always seems like a waste to bring Dolo from Germany and not play him. I feel the same about Mathis, but obviously Arena does not.

[dude8]

-----------------------keller---------------------


dolo--------pope------------boca----------------gibbs



donovan--------------mastro-------------------dmd


---------------------mathis-------------------------



---------wolfe---------------ching------------------


let's go for the jugular, let's play with some speed, and let's finish some shots before the 90th minute.

[fischerw]

-------------------Keller------------------

Dolo---------Pope--------Boca---------Convey

Jones--------Donovan----Mathis-------DMB

-------------Wolff---------McBride


Though if I were thinking more defensively (which might be a good idea...), I'd keep Donovan and Mathis as attacking mids but put in Reyna and Zavagnin instead behind them.

Bill

[RUUDVN]

What do you think about this,
.....................................anyofthe4
Dollo......................Pope................Gibb...............Boca
.......................................Saneh
Dono.........................Convey/Martino..................DMB
.........................Johnson.................Ching

[SABuffalo786]

4-4-2


Keller


Cherundolo Pope Sanneh Bocanegra

Mastroeni/Reyna

Donovan Beasley
Mathis

Ching McBride



That's what I want, at least. Reyna over Mastroeni if he's healthy.

[Brushes Sand]

Forget Reyna and JOB.

My "Bruce" lineup:

----------------Friedel-----------------

Maestro-----Pope----Gibbs------Boca

-----------Armas---Zavagnin------------

--------Donovan-------Beasley---------

-----------Ching-----Mathis-------------




Brushes Sand's Upset Special (4231):

----------------Friedel-----------------

Maestro-----Pope----Gibbs------Boca

-----------Armas---Zavagnin----------

JOHNSON-------Donovan-------Beasley

----------------Mathis-------------


Fortress Friedel, incredible speed to counter,
and, if on form, our best Marksman.

14 Road Qualifiers in Central America.
3 Wins.
All in Hondurass.



-bs