10/13: USA v Panama Pre-Match Discussion

[galaxyfan03]

Ok, with the ES match in the books, it's time to start thinking about Panama on Wednesday night. A win clinches a spot in the Hex and, despite the fact that I have tix for the Jamaica match in Columbus next month, I say let's finish this Wednesday!!

Gibbs is definitely out (2 yellow cards) so, hopefully, Bocanegra will be healthy enough to go. It sounds like Pope didn't have his best game but I would expect him to start. Wondering if Onyewu gets his first cap v Panama. IMHO only if we're ahead by two goals or more late. Without Reyna, I can't see any other option but Mathis at AM, unless you put LD there & move Mathis up top. But then who do you put at RM?? Any chance Gaven might be included in the roster for Wednesday?? Zavagnin getting banged up late pretty much insures IMO that Mastroeni will start v Panama.

Here's my starting XI:

-------------------------------------Howard------------------------------
Sanneh-------------------Pope------------------Boca--------------Convey
------------------------------------Mastroeni-----------------------------
--Donovan-------------------------------------------------------Beasley--
-------------------------------------Mathis-------------------------------
-----------------Wolff-------------------------------McBride--------------

Subs: Onyewu, Zavagnin & Cobi (if ahead). Lewis, Johnson & Casey (if behind).

Of course, my lineup is dependent on whether Sanneh & Boca are healthy. Another possiblity, lineup-wise, is putting Hejduk at LB, moving Convey to RM, Donovan to AM & Mathis with Wolff up top.

Just hope our performance on Wednesday night is A LOT better than that "embarrassment" last month.

[ETSC]

The back is looking ragged.

Sanneh and Bocanegra both are nursing hamstrings. Gibbs is out on account of the yellow. That leaves Pope, Berhalter,Convey and Gooch.

We'll see how Zavagnin is. If out Gaven gets pulled onto the game rooster as a sub. He might get slotted anyways if Boca and/or Sanneh are no go.

[Kaiser]

I think KK starts again in Goal. EJ might have earned a starting spot, if not then he'll come in at least around 60"

[Maniac]

I think KK starts again in Goal. EJ might have earned a starting spot, if not then he'll come in at least around 60"

I had a chance to see the team at practice today at American University - They looked good - Mathis was pretty fired up.

Both Howard and Keller were taking shots from Onalfo and both looked pretty impressive, although later on during the practice match Howard let one in through his legs...

I to think KK starts on Wed...

If interested, here's some pitures I took at practice... (http://photoblog.matchnight.com/gallery.asp?categoryid=194)

[Diakonov]

I had a chance to see the team at practice today at American University - They looked good - Mathis was pretty fired up.

Both Howard and Keller were taking shots from Onalfo and both looked pretty impressive, although later on during the practice match Howard let one in through his legs...

I to think KK starts on Wed...

If interested, here's some pitures I took at practice... (http://photoblog.matchnight.com/gallery.asp?categoryid=194)


Great photos, thanks!

[Blue Eyed Soul]

Ok, with the ES match in the books, it's time to start thinking about Panama on Wednesday night. A win clinches a spot in the Hex and, despite the fact that I have tix for the Jamaica match in Columbus next month, I say let's finish this Wednesday!!

Gibbs is definitely out (2 yellow cards) so, hopefully, Bocanegra will be healthy enough to go. It sounds like Pope didn't have his best game but I would expect him to start. Wondering if Onyewu gets his first cap v Panama. IMHO only if we're ahead by two goals or more late. Without Reyna, I can't see any other option but Mathis at AM, unless you put LD there & move Mathis up top. But then who do you put at RM?? Any chance Gaven might be included in the roster for Wednesday?? Zavagnin getting banged up late pretty much insures IMO that Mastroeni will start v Panama.

Here's my starting XI:

-------------------------------------Howard------------------------------
Sanneh-------------------Pope------------------Boca--------------Convey
------------------------------------Mastroeni-----------------------------
--Donovan-------------------------------------------------------Beasley--
-------------------------------------Mathis-------------------------------
-----------------Wolff-------------------------------McBride--------------

Subs: Onyewu, Zavagnin & Cobi (if ahead). Lewis, Johnson & Casey (if behind).

Of course, my lineup is dependent on whether Sanneh & Boca are healthy. Another possiblity, lineup-wise, is putting Hejduk at LB, moving Convey to RM, Donovan to AM & Mathis with Wolff up top.

Just hope our performance on Wednesday night is A LOT better than that "embarrassment" last month.
I use the same starters, but I'd sub for speed relatively early, and maybe put Johnson in for McBride in the 60-65th minute, and Hejduk in for Sanneh around the same time (barring unforeseen game issues).

[galaxyfan03]

I had a chance to see the team at practice today at American University - They looked good - Mathis was pretty fired up.

Both Howard and Keller were taking shots from Onalfo and both looked pretty impressive, although later on during the practice match Howard let one in through his legs...

I to think KK starts on Wed...

If interested, here's some pitures I took at practice... (http://photoblog.matchnight.com/gallery.asp?categoryid=194)

COOL photos, Maniac. Thanks. Looks like the team is ready to go & make "amends" for that embarrassment last month in Panama City.

GO, USA!!!!

[ETSC]

Any word on injuries?

Gaven watched the HoF game from the Metros bench so scratch him.

[galaxyfan03]

I use the same starters, but I'd sub for speed relatively early, and maybe put Johnson in for McBride in the 60-65th minute, and Hejduk in for Sanneh around the same time (barring unforeseen game issues).

Good thoughts, USWins06. I forgot to include Sanneh in my original roster. Don't ask me how. Anyway, I'd still start Cherundolo & bring Sanneh in as a sub. Hejduk had his 90 minutes in El Salvador & I think we should give Dolo & Big Cat a shot. TOTALLY agree about the EJ for McBride move, though.

[warmblooded]

Any word on injuries?

Gaven watched the HoF game from the Metros bench so scratch him.

The Hall of Fame game was an exhibition. Most of the "stars" sat.

[slpcpa]

The Hall of Fame game was an exhibition. Most of the "stars" sat.
Yes, but the point is that while the rest of the NATS were training for the match in the DC area, Eddie was in Oneonta freezing his nuts off. He's not injured; he is not in Bruce's immediate plans.

[Dr Jay]

I smell a blow out here.

4-1 USA.

Remember the first 30 mins of the away Panama game ? Tomorrow night those chances go in. We are up 2-0 in the first 25 mins.

We're at home. The pressure is off.


I smell a blow out.

[Brushes Sand]

Dammit! Quit weauxfing the Soccer Gawdz!!!!!

Lest I remind you about what happened the
LAST time we played a qualifier at RFK.....


NOW GO REPENT THEE AND PROSTRATE THEE
BEFORE THE SOCCER GAWDZ AND ASK THEE
FORGIVENESS FOR THY WEAUXFING SINS.

-bs

[Brushes Sand]

I think KK starts again in Goal. EJ might have earned a starting spot, if not then he'll come in at least around 60"


NO WAY is EJ ready to start in the Panama match.


Now, if we beat Panama, then against Jamaica....... absolutely.


-bs

[Rafa]

No jinxes! Knock on wood! We've underestimated this team once before, at least The Bruce's pre-matches rumblings indicated that he did....

Nobody likes Kerry repeating his role in the middle? If O'Brien can't ever get healthy, we'll need to start developing someone to replace Claudio, and Kerry needs more playing time.... Start building Kerry or Mastroeni into the defensive central mid spot now.

[Casper]

No jinxes! Knock on wood! We've underestimated this team once before, at least The Bruce's pre-matches rumblings indicated that he did....

Nobody likes Kerry repeating his role in the middle? If O'Brien can't ever get healthy, we'll need to start developing someone to replace Claudio, and Kerry needs more playing time.... Start building Kerry or Mastroeni into the defensive central mid spot now.
Zavagnin and Reyna are roughly the same age. Zavagnin is fully integrated into the team at this point. He doesn't need "developmental" minutes anymore. He only needs "we need you today" minutes.

[slpcpa]

No jinxes! Knock on wood! We've underestimated this team once before, at least The Bruce's pre-matches rumblings indicated that he did....

Nobody likes Kerry repeating his role in the middle? If O'Brien can't ever get healthy, we'll need to start developing someone to replace Claudio, and Kerry needs more playing time.... Start building Kerry or Mastroeni into the defensive central mid spot now.
There is a problem with Kerry - he is 30 years old - you cannot start "developing him" to replace Claudio. By the time KZ figures out what BA needs from that position, he will be too old. BA needs to start developing a YOUNG player for that position, not someone only one year younger than Claudio! ;)

[szazzy]

There is a problem with Kerry - he is 30 years old - you cannot start "developing him" to replace Claudio. By the time KZ figures out what BA needs from that position, he will be too old. BA needs to start developing a YOUNG player for that position, not someone only one year younger than Claudio! ;)
I don't know that BA will ever put anyone in there that is too young. It is the position where you must have a calm ball winner who is able to think and distribute quickly. We'd all like someone who is constantly a threat moving forward, but that requirement is much less important than being able to quelch counters and not turning the ball over in a WCQ. It just takes longer to become the rock-solid D-Mid that BA requires.

[slpcpa]

I don't know that BA will ever put anyone in there that is too young. It is the position where you must have a calm ball winner who is able to think and distribute quickly. We'd all like someone who is constantly a threat moving forward, but that requirement is much less important than being able to quelch counters and not turning the ball over in a WCQ. It just takes longer to become the rock-solid D-Mid that BA requires.
You are correct - I meant to say "younger" instead of "young". My point was to start grooming someone who is in their mid-twenties instead of someone who is 30, and has only 10 or 11 caps under his belt.

[soccerfan]

the only changes i would make and forsee are :

Howard in goal as Bruce has been rotating goalkeepers

Convey for Gibbs who is out with yellow cards

and i would replace Mathis he was our weakest player ( Sanneh maybe )

i was surprised by the good play from Hejduk and Zavagnin, they deserve to start again, i see no reason to change them