Arena Using Clark

[ursula]

It's funny in a virtual way. For weeks and weeks now we've been reading here how good Rico Clark is. How he is not only a good defender but compared to the other d-mids that Arena trots out he's so much of a better attacker. A true two-way d-mid. We've sifter through a week of anti-Carroll diatribes because, after all, how can Brian be included, much less start over Rico who, again, is so much more talented? Shame on you Bruce!

Arena responds last night. He starts Carroll at d-mid (Outrage! Sacrilege! His first cap! God damn DCU connection!) and only uses Clark as a sub.

But there's a twist. A big twist: Clark comes in for Martino. Okay, defense for offense. No problem. But Clark spends his time attacking, acting for all the world like a a-mid. It's offesne for offense, a straight switch. It's like Arena sees the same thing that everyone else sees, except he doesn't get stuck on the d-mid label that Clark wears at San Jose. Arena clearly loves Clark's attacking abilities and played him as an attacker.

Still so many folks seem to think that Carroll started at Clark's expense or at least have posted such.

Wrong.

So we go back to the destroyer, stay at home d-mid as a separate role from the two-way player or the a-mid. Arena sees Carroll as a destroyer, like Mastroeni (who's #1 at the position) and Armas. Clark meanwhile is not a destroyer but more of a two way player like JOB or Reyna or possibly even more of an attacker like Martino or Dempsey. (As an aside the guy who isn't being mentioned here is Zavagnin who's been notably absent this summer...)


So maybe we should be looking at Clarks a two way, attacking guy and assess his chances there. What do you think? You like his attacking the goal; is he better than his competition? If JOB stays hurt, should Clark take his role? Reyna? Would you move him ahead of Martino?

Or maybe as JoeW says elsewhere he should be looked at at fullback as Arena uses his outside back to attack more than his defensive mids? Wouild you like to see Rico out there more than, say, Albright? Hedjuk?

[lobtuf]

Clark has versatility, which is a big Arena thing.

Can Clark play on the wing/right midfield? Given his ability to defend and apparent work ethic perhaps he's a the guy we need at right midfield. Not an out and out winger, per se, but a guy who can get forward on occasion and who can mainly get back and basically help hold down the right side of midfield to free up the every-which-way play of a Donovan or Beasley.

Anyway, I hope he gets more looks by the Bruce.

[Metrogo]

It's like Arena sees the same thing that everyone else sees, except he doesn't get stuck on the d-mid label that Clark wears at San Jose.

Uhhh, he's been a central midfielder his entire pro career, with both defensive and offensive responsibilities. I don't get your point.

[Winds350]

Clark looks like a 2-way mid to me. The problem is that, right now, for the 2006 world cup, I really think that a central midfield of Armas/Donovan is a better midfield than one with Clark/Reyna. And it really pains me to say that. How Clark/Donovan would be is hard for me to call. Someone who's watched him more would have a better take on that. From the few games I've seen, he seems to attack the player bringing the ball though the middle, rather than sit back and play the passing lanes.

[Chowderhead]

We're not as skinny in the dmid/two-way-mid spot as some, Dell'Apa among others, may think. Clark started shining once he got away from the humorless Princeton no-mind. He must be considered. And I still see Dempsey, if he grows up a bit and still retains the edge, for a spot there.

[superdave]

Uhhh, he's been a central midfielder his entire pro career, with both defensive and offensive responsibilities. I don't get your point.
You have a strange moniker for a non-Metro fan.* Me, a fellow non-Metro fan, remembers Clark at RB and RW last year.

*I assume you're a non-Metro fan because if you were a Metrofan you'd know this.

[JoeW]

Uhhh, he's been a central midfielder his entire pro career, with both defensive and offensive responsibilities. I don't get your point.

1. Didn't Bradley use Clark as an outside back at times last year?
2. The point is that Clark is good going forward (ie: N-S). Arena doesn't ask his D-mids to do that (ie: Mastroeni was good going N-S as an outside back for Miami but in his role as a D-mid for the USMNT, he doesn't make those kind of forays).
3. Mulrooney was a similar role with SJ (defensive-offensive midfield but with Donovan as the real A-mid with SJ). And Arena looked at him as an outside back.

I think of Arena is really serious about a 3-5-2, than he's got 3, maybe 4 candidates as holding mids (in this order):
--O'Brien (recognizing that he may be hurt or not fit)
--Reyna (recognizing that he's probably the A-mid if Donovan is at forward rather than a-mid)
--Dempsey
--Clark

This part of the reason Arena looked at Convey as a left-back: Arena has certain positions where he expects players to get forward (and outside defender is one, D-mid is NOT another). So when he's got a player with speed and technical ability he tries to put him in roles where he can get forward.

If Clark shows he can cross the ball well, look at him to be the next version of Tony Sanneh (ie: converted midfielder to outside defender). If he can't cross the ball than he's A-mid or more likely holding mid fighting with Dempsey for a spot on the team.

[swedust]

Sign me up for more of Clark. If he can't make the cut he can't make the cut but I want to see more.

[sidefootsitter]

A) I agree that he should be tried as a wingback/fullback.

B) I also think that it's time for Bruce to allow his D-mid to push the ball forward, which does imply playing Spector or Clark there.

With Carroll, who played rather well I thought, it's more like "win the ball, then square pass" ... well, that loses an opportunity to go forward in a hurry.

With Spector, Clark, Dempsey, Grabavoy, et al., one doesn't have to waste time by dithering with the ball. One can win the ball and take it forward ASAP.

The transition game, as been pointed out by many top international coaches, is one of the most important aspects of the game, especially for a counterattacking side. Putting a ball handler in lieu of a de facto 5th defender would go a long way toward allowing a much faster transition from defense to offense and would be a huge plus for the US overall.

[Bajoro]

I just can't wait to see what Clark does in a game surrounded by the top selection.

[ursula]

side- Clearly Arena disagrees with you. He cares more for the defense to retain it's shape to prevent counters and that means keeping the d-mid at home. He doesn't want his central defense open to getting run at as much as possible. He wants to prevent the center of the field from being a highway for the opposing team and for his team to counter up the sides. Since he emphasises flank attacking it makes sense for the d-mid to cover for them.


Also it's simply not true that Carroll just square-passed last night.

[sidefootsitter]

side- Clearly Arena disagrees with you. Nooooo .. clearly, I disagree with him.

He cares more for the defense to retain it's shape to prevent counters and that means keeping the d-mid at home. He doesn't want his central defense open to getting run at as much as possible. A top side will rotate.

Let's say Spector, playing Carroll's spot last night, won the ball and headed forward. At that point, Martino drops back into his spot.

It's a simple rotation play; nothing as complicated as the "Clockwork Oranje" where 5-6 players could be playing out of their normal position at any given moment.

He wants to prevent the center of the field from being a highway for the opposing team and for his team to counter up the sides. Since he emphasises flank attacking it makes sense for the d-mid to cover for them. You can still have a 5th defender clogging up the middle. It just has to be the one without the ball.

Also it's simply not true that Carroll just square-passed last night. He did when he was deep in own half. He didn't when Panama dropped deep toward own box and the US was virtually entirely in the offensive half.

[ursula]

Looking at some of what superdave's written, Arena doesn't feel confident in having two two-way central mids at least outside of JOB and Reyna perhaps. The idea of Martino or Dempsey dropping back as cover... nah, won't work as they simply aren't good enough tactically.

As for Carroll passing forward only when Panama gave him the opportunity, and creatibing at least two dangerous chances, hey, I'm all for it. But again he passed forward- shorty passes- more than you are giving credit for.

At any rate, I'm glad you disagree with Arena. But don't look for what you want anytime soon.

[sidefootsitter]

Looking at some of what superdave's written, Arena doesn't feel confident in having two two-way central mids at least outside of JOB and Reyna perhaps. And against the lower tier opponents to boot.

[Woodrow]

It's funny in a virtual way. For weeks and weeks now we've been reading here how good Rico Clark is. How he is not only a good defender but compared to the other d-mids that Arena trots out he's so much of a better attacker. A true two-way d-mid. We've sifter through a week of anti-Carroll diatribes because, after all, how can Brian be included, much less start over Rico who, again, is so much more talented? Shame on you Bruce!

Arena responds last night. He starts Carroll at d-mid (Outrage! Sacrilege! His first cap! God damn DCU connection!) and only uses Clark as a sub.

But there's a twist. A big twist: Clark comes in for Martino. Okay, defense for offense. No problem. But Clark spends his time attacking, acting for all the world like a a-mid. It's offesne for offense, a straight switch. It's like Arena sees the same thing that everyone else sees, except he doesn't get stuck on the d-mid label that Clark wears at San Jose. Arena clearly loves Clark's attacking abilities and played him as an attacker.

Still so many folks seem to think that Carroll started at Clark's expense or at least have posted such.

Wrong.

So we go back to the destroyer, stay at home d-mid as a separate role from the two-way player or the a-mid. Arena sees Carroll as a destroyer, like Mastroeni (who's #1 at the position) and Armas. Clark meanwhile is not a destroyer but more of a two way player like JOB or Reyna or possibly even more of an attacker like Martino or Dempsey. (As an aside the guy who isn't being mentioned here is Zavagnin who's been notably absent this summer...)


So maybe we should be looking at Clarks a two way, attacking guy and assess his chances there. What do you think? You like his attacking the goal; is he better than his competition? If JOB stays hurt, should Clark take his role? Reyna? Would you move him ahead of Martino?

Or maybe as JoeW says elsewhere he should be looked at at fullback as Arena uses his outside back to attack more than his defensive mids? Wouild you like to see Rico out there more than, say, Albright? Hedjuk?

If Carroll is going to play as a destroyer, he's going to have to do more than just run arround and get in people's way.

[Jagermeister]

side- Clearly Arena disagrees with you. He cares more for the defense to retain it's shape to prevent counters and that means keeping the d-mid at home. He doesn't want his central defense open to getting run at as much as possible. He wants to prevent the center of the field from being a highway for the opposing team and for his team to counter up the sides. Since he emphasises flank attacking it makes sense for the d-mid to cover for them.


Also it's simply not true that Carroll just square-passed last night.

Absolutely true. This is how BA has always thought and that's why Carroll fits and BA likes him.

I'd like to see Rico take some time away from Clint. Haven't seen Mr. C grow all that much with all of his caps and time with the Nats.

[ursula]

If Carroll is going to play as a destroyer, he's going to have to do more than just run arround and get in people's way.

Well! Not much to say to that! Except that actually this thread is about Clark, not Carroll. In other words, Clark ain't gonna get any playing time at Carroll's or Mastroeni's or Armas' expense. So how would you like to see Rico deployed?

[Woodrow]

Well! Not much to say to that! Except that actually this thread is about Clark, not Carroll. In other words, Clark ain't gonna get any playing time at Carroll's or Mastroeni's or Armas' expense.

Is that a prediction?

[cpwilson80]

Looking at some of what superdave's written, Arena doesn't feel confident in having two two-way central mids at least outside of JOB and Reyna perhaps. The idea of Martino or Dempsey dropping back as cover... nah, won't work as they simply aren't good enough tactically.


Right. If you're a d-mid, your primary responsibility is to defend, and you pick your spots going forward. As a two-way mid, you need experience reading the game and minding both of your responsibilities. What's more, to make this system work in a 4-4-2, you need not one but two players with this skill set.

Right now, this only works with Reyna and O'Brien. Both are center mids first (though they play other positions because of their flexibility) who understand not only their responsibilities on the field, but that of their teammates as well.

I can envision Clark and Dempsey pulling this off someday soon, but not before 2006. The won't get the experience in before then -- Dempsey plays a relatively free role in the Rev's 3-5-2, and Clark has DeRosario running all over the place in front of him.

Now, if the US were to play a 3-5-2, I think we can play with two 2-way mids in front of a d-mid. We actually saw glimpses of this last night in the 4-3-3, with Dempsey and Martino in front of Carroll. Often times, Martino dropped back to Reyna-like areas to gain possession and start the attack. And Dempsey dropped further back on defense than a traditional attacking mid would.

As to what to do with Clark, though we could play with a three central mid system, I'm not sure if we'd want to. My ideal midfield in a 4-4-2 is:

--DMB---------Donovan-----

--O'Brien--------Reyna------

Though 2010, it could be Clark and Dempsey filling in at the bottom of that box, I don't see either of them displacing O'Brien and Reyna.

[Maximum Optimal]

Arena has used the Reyna-O'Brien combo or just Reyna as defensive mid enough times to make me question whether he really is wedded to the idea of a pure destroyer. I think it is more a question of reliability and gaining his confidence. It takes a certain amount of smarts and discipline for guys like Reyna and O'Brien to know when to go forward and how to cover for each other. And it takes time for a player to convince Arena that he has those qualities. On the other hand, there is much less risk from guys like Armas and Carroll. In a game that was essentially meaningless, it is a shame that he put in someone (Carroll) whose risk/return profile is so much less interesting than Clark.