Poll -- US Starting Defense 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 defenders be against El Salvador?

[fillmorejive]

Who will it be? The "Away D According to Bruce"....

Hejduk----------Pope---------Boca---------Vanney

[fischerw]

On the Left, Bobby Convey (I, for one, contrary to what seems to be the consensus on these boards, am a Bobby Convey fan. I don't think he's a liability defensively, and any problems he _might_ have he makes up for by being, in my opinioin, the hardest working player on the field)

Left Central, Carlos Bocanegra (I have yet to get annoyed with his play in central defense-- he's solid, and has proven he can provide offense when it's needed)

Right Central, Eddie Pope (This is a conservative choice, I admit. But he still gets it done back there, and his height is a major asset. He's got several good games left in him)

On the Right, Dolo. I think he's the best we have in this spot, that I've seen. I don't even know who Russell is-- can someone fill me in? Who does he play for? Oh, Sanneh, right. He would also do very well in this spot. So I say Dolo or Sanneh.

I would like to see Spector sometime soon, but maybe it's too soon right now? I also have been very impressed by Cory Gibbs at defense (am I not correct in saying that he did very well against Ruuuuud in the friendly earlier this year?) but being something of a Dallas fan, I think his club needs him more.

Bill

[OmiKell]

Hejduk----------Gooch---------Boca---------Vanney

[SABuffalo786]

What I'd like to see is Cherundolo on the right, Sanneh and Pope in the middle and Bocanegra on the left.


A lot of size, which I think we need to use as much as we can against El Salvador, and skill with Cherundolo banging in crosses.

[HogDaddy]

Pope and Bocanegra in the middle is easy. Steve C on the right side is a close call with Tony Sanneh. I just have a feeling it will be Steve. Left back is the hardest to predict. I'm going with Greg Vanney.

[bing1985]

I could see him going w/ Boca on the left, Pope, Sanneh in the middle, Dolo on the right. Although Dolo over Hejduk is wishful thinking... but I won't start that again ;)

[drew_VT_6]

It'd be fun to see:

Bocanegra--Pope-Gibbs--Sanneh

[Brushes Sand]

Boca Gibbs Pope Maestro

[TAKK]

How about this poll.

Any defense without Heduk and Vanney.

Agree-Disagree?

[Adam Zebrowski]

cherundolo-pope-gibbs-bocanegra

[Mr Martin]

Only 49 votes for defenders. That's much less than for mids and strikers. Is defense too boring for you guys? All caught up in the glitz and glamour of offense? Ever hear that defense wins championships??? :p

Anyway, Pope and Boca are clear consensus locks for the starting lineup. Cherundolo was next, but then Arena didn't include him, so "sorry Charlie".

The next highest vote getters so far are Gibbs and Sanneh. But it seems a reluctant vote. Not surprising, given the Nat's underwhelming options at outside back.

Based on the votes so far, it looks like Pope and Gibbs centrally, Boca out left, and Sanneh out right. You could try and swap Boca and Gibbs, but given where these two play primarily for their clubs, that doesn't make much sense.

That's a big, strong, athletic back line.

[Octavius Agustus]

How about this poll.

Any defense without Heduk and Vanney.

Agree-Disagree?

AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[galaxyfan03]

Hejduk - Pope - Boca - Convey

I don't think Sanneh is ready to start an international road WCQ but I do think he'll play. I think Convey will start v ES. Not sure he'll play the full 90, especially if he struggles. I was thinking about starting Gibbs or Berhalter & putting Boca at LB but I think Arena will go with the four mentioned.

[FormerGermanGuy]

cherundolo-pope-gibbs-bocanegra

Ditto, although I think you meant 'dolo on the right and Boca on the left, right?

[twenty]

Bruce will probably use:

Bobby - Boca - Pope - Hedjuk

If I had my way, it would be the same, except with Cherundolo for Hedjuk. I don't think Gibbs or anybody else would be as dominant in the middle as Boca is, so I think Carlos is best used in the middle.

Bobby is a liability defensively against better teams, but I don't think it matters against El Salvador. He's better than Vanney here because his attacking ability is needed to break down El Salvador, who will play very defensively.

[DamonEsquire]

I go with veteran defense. Mr. Vanney, Mr. Berhalter, Mr. Pope and Mr. Sanneh reculsvely in latrine. There could be two-way red card foul here. Second half could see Mr. Bocanegra, Mr. Convey and Mr. Cherendolo come to replace ugliness of pressure.