Should we stick with just three in the back?

[MtMike]

It seems that we have a lot more depth at the d-mid spot (Zavagnin, Maestroeni, Armas, Reyna, JOB, Mulrooney) than we do the defense. I think I'd like to see a 3-5-2 with 2 central d-mids, and then a spread out back line with the 2 d-mids plugging holes in the middle. This would also help our outside backs (Boca/Cherundolo) get into the attack occasionally.

So the line-up would look something like this:

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

Cherundolo----------Pope----------Boca

-----------Zavagnin-------Reyna

R-mid-----------------------------L-mid

------------------A-mid

---------Forward----------Forward

[Heathens '87]

Against CONCACAF opponents (apart from Mexico), why not?! When the competition is higher, we'll be unable to say that our attacking group is quicker and more skilled, but when you can, throw 'em forward and let the skill in back show.

When we play a team with a more skilled defensive unit that can mark LD, DMB, MBB, EJ, etc...., we'll need four. But if Costa Rica wants to leave Wanchope and Gomez on the bench as subs, hell, let's play two in the back. The match-up and available roster was right for the formation, so credit to Bruce for seeing the possibilities......

[PSsoccer123]

That's a good idea. That would be the way to get our best players on the field. With everyone healthy, it could look like this:
Keller
Gibbs Onyewu Bocanegra
Cherundolo John O'Brien Mastroeni Beasely
Donovan
McBride Johnson
Or we could take out Churundolo, move Beasely there and put Lewis on the left. That's a pretty good team.

[GRUNT]

When the US plays with only one CB, d-mids need to drop back and man-mark as well as they normally play-break. That wasn't happening conisistently last night.

[ursula]

Here's a quote form Convey after the CR game:

I think just playing back, being a defender, you put more emphasis on the goalkeeper.

I don't know where ESPN got it's 343 formation from, but clearly Convey saw himself as part of a four man back line. So the title of this thread is misleading.

[MtMike]

Here's a quote form Convey after the CR game:



I don't know where ESPN got it's 343 formation from, but clearly Convey saw himself as part of a four man back line. So what ESPN said is misleading.

Fixed.

If it helps you feel better, replace "stick" with "play" (no puns intended.) The point of the thread is the same.

[sidefootsitter]

... I don't know where ESPN got it's 343 formation from... In the good old country, this was called disinformatzia.

[Onionsack]

And Convey as a decoy left-midfielder...sure. Those Costa Ricans thought we were playing a 4-4-2 all day...silly Ticos. :)

[geordienation]

Here's a quote form Convey after the CR game:



I don't know where ESPN got it's 343 formation from, but clearly Convey saw himself as part of a four man back line. So the title of this thread is misleading.


Indeed. The 3-4-3 was really a 4-4-2 with Cherundolo staying home and Convey pushing up.

[FulhamRev]

Yeah, Convey was definitely playing in the back. He was not a midfielder, no matter what ESPN or Marc Connolly (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=335009&cc=5901) had to say. I was sitting behind the goal the US defended in the first half, and Convey was definitely in the defense. Just like the England game, we left the left midfield spot empty (although Beasley and Wolf came back to fill in from time-to-time).