Left Back?

[four]

Anyone have any thoughts on what should be done at left back? I know that different opponents might require different skill sets.

With Pope healthy, I think have Gibbs play on the left. This puts our best defenders on the field together.

Let Dolo and Vanney fight it out for the right side. Ony pairs with Pope in middle.

[Wahoo]

Anyone have any thoughts on what should be done at left back? I know that different opponents might require different skill sets.

With Pope healthy, I think have Gibbs play on the left. This puts our best defenders on the field together.

Let Dolo and Vanney fight it out for the right side. Ony pairs with Pope in middle.

Don't forget we have a nice up and comer from Rosenborg that also plays as a right back...
big powerful quick... and young(ish) at 25 - Robbie Russell.

Why couldn't he be a left back!

[Maximum Optimal]

Watching Cherundolo in the past two matches, I've been struck by what a good left foot he has. He made several long accurate passes from the back with his left foot. If Arena at some point decides to play both Cherundolo and either Albright or Hejduk, it would make sense to play Steve on the left.

[Scotty]

I think Karbassiyoon should be given a look in a friendly, possibly this summer.

He has now gained experience at that position with Arsenal (in cup matches) and with Ipswich during his loan spell.

And we're getting desperate.

[IowaBoy]

As has been mentioned in a few similar threads, when BA gets the chance to try out newbies, I think Jose Burciaga from KC might deserve a look. He's only 23 right now. He has had some knee injuries in the past (2 ACL tears) but has done a great job for KC. He also does well going forward.

[four]

No matter what is done, I would hope it would happen soon. Our back four need to be playing together as a group as much as possible prior to Germany. At least in qualifiers, let some new guys get chances in friendlies.

[SteveWWJ]

I said this in another thread but I'd like to see Mastroeni tried out on that side...

If we just kept the same back 5 in the last match, we could move Boca back to his more natural position in the middle, move Onyewu up (in the mold of Viera), and leave Gibbs and Dolo where they were... with this lineup, we'd get more speed on the left side, and the center of the defense could conceivable be a brick wall.

---------- Onyewu
Mastro - Boca - Gibbs - Dolo

[rwhunter4]

Two words: Jose Burciaga

[DutchFootballRulez]

Burciaga, Gibbs, Convey, someone w/ a left-foot and strong in the tackle. Onyewu isn't fast enough for midfield for my tastes Steve.

[Adam Zebrowski]

my solution is 3-5-2 with two wingbacks...

3 center mids are gibbs, onyewu and bocanegra...

beasley and cherundolo on the wings...

they morph into 5-3-2 whenever needed...

so, the pure left back of 4-4-2 vintage becomes less troubling.

[jonpat16]

If Spector starts to get regular time in the premiership next season he should be the left back in 2006.

[Wahoo]

I'm not sold on Burciaga just yet... though he may be one of the best alternatives.

Due to injuries he's only had 1 year playing pro ball.
Last year he tore one of his ACLs and only played something like 4 games.
The previous year he missed all games after tearing the other ACL.

Now I think he was good last year to be sure... definitely the best American left back candidate from MLS. Since we have no other real left backs, I'm thinking he should at least get a look...

Spector and Karbassiyoon are the others I'd look at.

[lmorin]

Bring Spector in to the summer camp and let him prove himself.

[Wahoo]

Bring Spector in to the summer camp and let him prove himself.

Fine with me... as long as you bring in others for a competition for the spot.
May the best player win the spot.

[Sandon Mibut]

I don't think we lack options, we just lack Bruce using those options.

Wade Barrett, San Jose
Jose Burciaga, Kansas City
Jon Spector, Manchester United
Danny Karbassiyoon, Arsenal
Heath Pearce, Nordsjaelland

Plus, there is still Greg Vanney.

Barrett has one start for the US in a friendly and Spector has a few minutes as a sub in a qualifer. So, they are all pretty raw. But all would be worth looking at.

Having said all that, playing Bocanegra at LB is a good way to get more of your talented defenders on the field at the same time. If Boca starts at CB, his natural position, it forces Bruce to choose between one of Pope, Gibbs and Gooch for the other CB spot. Playing 'Los out wide lets you have two of them in the middle.

SO, if you believe in getting your best players on the field, that's the way to go. If you believe in putting players in their best positions to succeed, you may not want Bocanegra at left back, even though he has played there for over a year in the Premier League.

[ttrevett]

my solution is 3-5-2 with two wingbacks...

3 center mids are gibbs, onyewu and bocanegra...

beasley and cherundolo on the wings...

they morph into 5-3-2 whenever needed...

so, the pure left back of 4-4-2 vintage becomes less troubling.

I think if you utilize DMB as a wing-back, you neutralize some of his attacking prowess. If he has to track back to provide defensive cover, he would be somewhat stimied in his attack. i would say the same thing about using Eddie Lewis there as well. I just think we need a true left back to most effectively use our best two left flank players.

[ttrevett]

I don't think we lack options, we just lack Bruce using those options.

Wade Barrett, San Jose
Jose Burciaga, Kansas City
Jon Spector, Manchester United
Danny Karbassiyoon, Arsenal
Heath Pearce, Nordsjaelland



I would agree that we need to explore these options in friendlies and track their progression, but currently I wouldn't say any of these options are as good as Bocanegra, who really isn't all that good at LB. I thought Gibbs would be a better option at the left with his pace, moving Carlos insode, but hey, that's why BA is the coach. Both did a good job against the Guats.

[four]

I don't think we lack options, we just lack Bruce using those options.
I definitely agree with that. Bruce could still surprise us and bring in some young strong talent just prior to the cup (like he did with LD and DMB prior to '02)
Having said all that, playing Bocanegra at LB is a good way to get more of your talented defenders on the field at the same time. If Boca starts at CB, his natural position, it forces Bruce to choose between one of Pope, Gibbs and Gooch for the other CB spot. Playing 'Los out wide lets you have two of them in the middle.
I think of those four, Boca may not be in the top two to use at center back and I think that Gibbs would be a better choice over Boca at left back. IMO 'Los is on the bench to cover any of those spots as needed.

[drace768]

I would agree that we need to explore these options in friendlies and track their progression, but currently I wouldn't say any of these options are as good as Bocanegra, who really isn't all that good at LB. I thought Gibbs would be a better option at the left with his pace, moving Carlos insode, but hey, that's why BA is the coach. Both did a good job against the Guats.
Except Gibbs in playing in the CB for Feyenood and Boca is playing LB for Fulham. It makes little sense to switch them. Admittedly Boca will never be a great LB, but neither will Gibbs. Plus Gibbs is probably the best pure man marker for the USMNT.