Poll -- US Starting Midfield vs. El Salvador

[Mr Martin]

OK, posting our preferred lineups is standard fun prior to a match. Two other threads have that going. But polls are good for trying to find what the consensus might be.

So, assuming a 4-4-2 formation, who will the four starting midfielders be against El Salvador?

[fischerw]

Beasly---Mathis---Donovan---Jones

I think Beasly has to play. Period.

Mathis I foresee acting more like a third forward. Hopefully he'll be selfish with the ball at the appropriate times. Of all our attacking players, I think Clint is the only one who has that selfish streak a goal scorer needs. Now, that doesn't mean he always puts the ball on frame...

Donovan will once again be all over the field.

Jones is a shaky subject. It's unclear if he can play at a high level for 90 minutes. But I think he's still capable of his trademark deep runs down the touch line and across the baseline.

Bill

[onefineesq]

Jones? A starter on the nats? The guy boots the ball into the middle on a wing and a prayer in one game, and then scores a goal in which he was offside in another, and now he should be a starter? Oy vey.

[SABuffalo786]

Dononvan, Beasley, obviously.


Reyna if he's healty. If not, Mastroeni, with Sanneh pushing up from the center of defense to add some bite to the midfield.

And Mathis at attacking mid. Play the hot hand, I say.

[HogDaddy]

Beasley and Donovan are just a given to me. I start my lineup with those 2 names on it. Reyna if he's healthy, since we are on the road. Close between Armas and Pablo, depending on the health of each player. I choose Pablo over Armas because I think he will be healthier. Nothing real to base that on, but I have to make a choice. If they are both healthy, I think Bruce will go with Chris.

[RUUDVN]

does anybody ever see Kyle Martino play ?.. he is a very good midfielder.

[SABuffalo786]

does anybody ever see Kyle Martino play ?.. he is a very good midfielder.



Not in an important road qualifier any time soon.

[Mr Martin]

Beasley and Donovan are just a given to me. I start my lineup with those 2 names on it.

Dononvan, Beasley, obviously.


I almost set up the midfield poll with those two excluded as certain locks. But then I noticed that polls now allow up to 16 choices (at some point in the past it was only 10). So, I included them just to see if anyone would NOT pick them. :rolleyes:

17 for 17 so far.

I should have included Gavin as an option, no matter how unlikely. But he seems to be on the radar screen at this point.

[bing1985]

Where's ABMOD?

I went DMB, Donovon as a lock. The rest is a fitness question. As this is a crystal-ball exercise. I went Armas and Pablo. I hope he doesn't risk re-injury to Reyna for Sallies or Panama. Pablo vs. Zav was a toss up for the final slot.

[DCFAN]

I have a feeling Lewis will start in this one. I would like to see Beasley play on the right side. He played on the right some in the last two years for the US.

Mastroeni (or Mulrooney)
Beasley Lewis
Donovan (or Mathis)

Wolff (or Donovan) McBride

[Mr Martin]

I have a feeling Lewis will start in this one.

Aaakk! LEWIS should definately have been in the poll. Although as long as the match has any importance and Beasley can walk...

[tubby_butter]

Bruce seems to prefer Beas and Donovan on the wings, as attacking midfielders -- especially in road games when they are looking to counter through those two. To lighten the defensive burden on them, he will go w/ more defensive-minded central midfielders. They will be expected to cover a lot of ground. I think it will be Armas and Zavagnin.

[DCFAN]

Aaakk! LEWIS should definately have been in the poll. Although as long as the match has any importance and Beasley can walk...
Like I said, Beasley can play the right side and would probably be better than anybody else the Nats. have right now.

[DCFAN]

Bruce seems to prefer Beas and Donovan on the wings, as attacking midfielders -- especially in road games when they are looking to counter through those two. To lighten the defensive burden on them, he will go w/ more defensive-minded central midfielders. They will be expected to cover a lot of ground. I think it will be Armas and Zavagnin.
Donovan does not seem to be as effective on the wing.

[Brushes Sand]

Why are people wasting votes on an injured Reyna?


I say 2 diggers (Zav, Armas), Beasley wherever he wants to go,
and "all Landon all the time", it's time to see if he can step up in
a Full International (TM-Jack Edwards) like he did in Dallas v. Mex.

-bs

[TAKK]

Why are people wasting votes on an injured Reyna?


-bs

Cause if he can play - BA will play him.

[Adam Zebrowski]

box midfield with donovan and beasley up top...

in the abck mastroeni and sanneh

[HogDaddy]

Why are people wasting votes on an injured Reyna?


-bs

http://www.soccertimes.com/americans/2004/sep28.htm?CMP=LEC-50Y6D3931797

Soccertimes.com is reporting he is 50-50 for this Saturday's Premier league game. With quotes from Kevin Keegan. He may be ready to go for the US on 10/9.

(I hope the link works. It's my first attempt at this thing.)

[galaxyfan03]

Donovan - Zavagnin - Mathis - Beasley

Donovan & Beasley are definites. The question is central midfield & my feeling is that Zavagnin & Mathis will get the call. I would probably prefer Mastroeni but he's been playing more of a CB role this year with Colorado and i don't hink that Arena would be comfortable playing him out of position, especially in a road WCQ.

I hope Mathis gets the call & I hope he gets that "fire" back & produces a solid game. I'm not ready to give up on Clint & think he's too valuable to "send to pasture."

[PaulGascoigne]

Where's ABMOD?


And the ref reaches toward his shirt pocket... :(