starting line-up??

[caputobd]

What do you do with all these players now?

G- Nick Rimando

D- Bobby Convey (talks of moving convey to left back to attack flanks more)/Brandon Prideaux?

D- Galin Ivanov

D- Mike Petke

D- Milton Reyes

M- Ben Olsen

M- Marco Etcheverry

M- Earnie Stewart

M- Alecko Eskandarian

F- Hristo Stoitchkov/Quaranta?

F- Dema Kovalenko

[ursula]

Interesting lineup, caputobd, but I don't think Hudson is gonna do it.

-While Arena has time to experiment with Convey at left back, Hudson has no such luxury and will play him in the midfield.

-Hristo is a sub, not a 90 minute guy anymore.

-We need a d-mid in the lineup. Probably Nelsen, maybe Ivanov, the HCB, but that is pure conjecture.

-Probably we'll go with a 352 base formation as long as everyone's healthy:

----------Rimando
Reyes-----Ivanov-------Petke
----------Nelsen
Olsen----Etcheverry---Convey
---------Kovalenko
---Stewart-----Quaranta/Escandarian

main subs: Eski/Quaranta, Hristo, Prideaux, Stokes, possibly Harkes.

[DigitalTron]

Welcome aboard caputobd!

Actually, Convey is definitely going to play in the midfield. He has played there for the U-17's, U-20's, U-23's, DC United and even teh USMNT. In fact, the game against Canada was the first game is his life that he'd played on the back line, and that was only because DaMarcus Beasley was starting at left midfield, and Arena was willing to give Convey a chance to play with DaMarcus. If you watch that game you notice that Convey played more like a wing midfielder than a left back, and both Convey and DaMarcus shared duties of both positions. For DC United, Convey is most definitely a midfielder.

Hudson will most likely play a 352, and in that scheme the wing midfielders track back, so Convey and Olsen will have significant defensive responsibilities.

Stoichkov is a sub, so he will not start. Stewart will start up top and Dema will be in the midfield, although both are capable of playing either position competently. Dema is at his best as an attacking midfielder who can dribble at opponents and hold the ball, but he's not a true finisher. Both Stewart and Eskandarian are true finishers. Santino is a combo player who can play either right winger or forward equally well. I expect him to be utilized exclusively as a forward by Hudson.

My guess on DC United's "A" lineup would be this:

---------Stewart----------Santino--------

--------------Etch-----------------------
Convey-----------------Dema-------Olsen
-------------Nelsen----------------------

---------Petke------Ivanov-------Reyes--

It isn't exactly a diamond midfield with Dema in the center, but it's close to that formation. Dema is skewed to the right, while Nelsen is directly behind Etch in the left center. Ivanov and Petke are skewed slightly to the right because Reyes will be releasing forward quite a bit.

That's my guess on how things will look for much of the season. But, with both Convey and Santino away for the U-20 World Championships at the start of the season, we'll definitely see a different lineup for opening day. Additionally, because Convey and Santino will also miss much of training camp, it may take a short while for them to get back into the flow of things. I expect Convey to start immediately upon return, but Hudson may give Eskandarian another start or two before handing over the starting spot to Santino.

-Tron

[caputobd]

I was also thinking about the 3-5-2, I almost put that option down but I'm working and didn't want to spend the time...

Good points all around, I didn't get to see much of Nelson this past year being as I left the east coast...is he good enough to start now? If Santino is healthy, I see no reason why he wouldn't start up top with either alecko or dema. I read somewhere that Alecko can really play ANY position, but I'd like to see him work the left flank. I'm not sold on Convey at all, kid has tremendous foot skill but lacks size, strength and speed to really be a consistent impact player.

Given all your points, I would love...

Rimando
Reyes - Ivanov - Petke
Nelson
Olsen - Stew - Alecko
Etch
Dema - Santino

[JAnderson14]

Originally posted by caputobd
Good points all around, I didn't get to see much of Nelson this past year being as I left the east coast...is he good enough to start now?
Outside of Reyes, Nelsen was probably our best field player over the course of the entire season. He's improved both mentally, tactically, and in fitness.

If Santino is healthy, I see no reason why he wouldn't start up top with either alecko or dema. I read somewhere that Alecko can really play ANY position, but I'd like to see him work the left flank. I'm not sold on Convey at all, kid has tremendous foot skill but lacks size, strength and speed to really be a consistent impact player.
I never heard that about Eskandarian, and for good reason. He's a striker only. He's not a particularly hard worker, and I strongly doubt he would be very happy there. If you're not sold on Convey, then perhaps we should introduce you to sormun...;)

I don't know how much of Convey you saw last season, but he's definitely an impact player right now and will only get better.

[StanfordSam]

Digital pretty much nails this.What many people are over-looking though,is the fact that Ray needs to get his cover players on-board and ready for when we will lose a good many players to international duty...Rimando,Olsen,Convey,Quaranta,Quintinilla.

Also,it will be interesting to see how Convey is utilized,wont it?Ray only played him inside when he was pretty much forced to but the response from many observers has been that he`s better there,which I disagree with personally.His strengths are his pace,energy and his developing ability to create and shoot as well as delivering good seervice from the flanks.Anyone who thinks Bobby can be a true schemer and inventive central midfield player is mistaken in my opinion,although I can understand why people imagine it.Perhaps as he gets older he`ll develop more culture and awareness in his game,but for now,for us,he`s far better suited to playing out wide.Intriguing to think that Arena regards him as a possible left back.Going from left-side mid to left back for the Nats,especially from Rays 3-5-2 to Bruces 4-4-2,wouldn`t be too dramatic of a transistion.

Additionally,in this tremendous squad Ray has re-built,a cover defender is what Brandon Prideaux is,as very decent a a player as he is.Ditto for Quintinilla,the draft picks and lesser talents like Allegria,Namoff and Curtis.

I see Eskandarian,Qunitinilla and a player-yet-to-be named as good cover guys and either a trade-for-Prideaux or Brandon himself along with Stokes as our defensive cover.

Best squad of players,talent,egos,entertainers at DC Utd possibly EVER...certainly light years ahead of the past 3 years and LAST year was an improvement!!!

Good luck everyone...things look pretty damn-well good from here.

[CHICO13]

Good points Sam, but I don't think we're going to lose Quintanilla to Nat duty.

[Lowecifer]

Originally posted by StanfordSam
Perhaps as he [Convey] gets older he`ll develop more culture and awareness in his game,but for now,for us,he`s far better suited to playing out wide.

In my estimation the only player on the squad last year with more culture and awareness than Bobby Convey was Marco Etcheverry.

[StanfordSam]

Low...I do not disagree.In fact Convey didn`t recieve the recognition I thought he deserved last season,especially when it got tough.

But....Bruce Arena doesn`t think too much of him as a central-mid or we`d not be hearing this talk of a full-back position would we?Ray used him there only when he really had to.Both coaches know him far better than we do and it seems clear where they think he will be most productive.

[yabo]

Originally posted by StanfordSam
Low...I do not disagree.In fact Convey didn`t recieve the recognition I thought he deserved last season,especially when it got tough.

But....Bruce Arena doesn`t think too much of him as a central-mid or we`d not be hearing this talk of a full-back position would we?Ray used him there only when he really had to.Both coaches know him far better than we do and it seems clear where they think he will be most productive.

He played against Brazil as a left flank player and Canada as a left back. I would not make much of two appearances in meaningless games. Not to disparage your opinion, I just don't think we can read the tea leaves with any certainty about what Bruce thinks of Convey or his "natural" position.

I have heard Ray say he doesn't see Bobby as a central player, although that was before the end of last season and Bobby's outstanding play in the middle. I don't believe Ray'll be able to keep him out there in the long run.

Yabo

[RTM1]

I did not reread all of this thread but someone stated a key element in the team is the cover players. I agree. Its a long season with certain key players sure to miss games. I like the interchangeability of the roster. While numerous configurations, formations, player positions have been discussed, the best element of this team is flexibility. Let's take the D-mid which has been argued as a weakness. Ok, it may be a weaker position due to uncertainty but we have at least 3 and possibly 5 options maybe even 6 for that position in a crisis. Nelson is likely first choice but in the event he's gone you have Alegria, Reyes, Ivanov, maybe Harkes (or another waiver pickup), Namoff, and even Convey could handle the position for a game. Any of these guys would not be the best in league at the position but all would hold their weight for a game. Sure each has limitations, Reyes has incredible recovery speed but appears to lack the discipline, Alegria is slow, etc. My point is that at every field position we have this sort of flexibility, and at all but D-mid and GK we have proven capability. We have some incredible options for a-mid.

[morenolsen]

With Kovalenko onboard, I definitely see him partnered with Etcheverry in the middle and Convey out wide. Convey can play either spots effectively, but with the current personel he's a wide midfielder.

[Partizan_fc]

How about this for a lineup

---------Alecko------Santino---------
--------Stewart-----Etcheverry--------
Olsen----------------------------Kovalenko
--Convey-------Ivanov-------Reyes--
-------------------Petke-----------------
-----------------Rimando---------------

I remember Petke in the all-star game and he dominated as a sweeper.

[DigitalTron]

I agree with Lowe.

You guys just don't understand Bruce. There's no way he's going to UPGRADE a player's position with the Nats from their club team. In other words, club wingers do not get promoted to Nats central midfielder. Once Convey gets more experience there for United and improves his defense, THEN Bruce will give him a shot there. Not until then.

-Tron

[JAnderson14]

Originally posted by Partizan_fc
How about this for a lineup

---------Alecko------Santino---------
--------Stewart-----Etcheverry--------
Olsen----------------------------Kovalenko
--Convey-------Ivanov-------Reyes--
-------------------Petke-----------------
-----------------Rimando---------------

I remember Petke in the all-star game and he dominated as a sweeper.
Won't happen. Convey is too good to move to left back at this level. Besides, any starting XI for us will have Ryan Nelsen in it, and this one has no defensive midfielder at all.

Tron's lineup is exactly right. Hudson has said that Nelsen will be the defensive midfielder, Kovalenko will be in central midfield, that Stewart will play as a striker, and that Quaranta is expected to be the spearhead of the attack. The only position that has any chance of changing right now would be if Prideaux earns a starting spot over Petke, IMO.

The starting lineup for opening day, though, is a different case. Right now Convey and Quaranta will be half a world away with the U20's so we have two starters to take care of. Personally I'm figuring Hudson will play Chino either in central midfield with Kovalenko on the right and Olsen on the left, or just insert him directly in for Convey on the left. Eskandarian is almost certain to start with Tino gone.

It entered my mind that he could elect to move Reyes to right midfield and Olsen on the left, but I don't think he will. The team needs to gel, and this is most important in defense. Hudson strikes me as the type that will keep his defense together as a unit as much as possible. That, and I think he likes Chino more than any possible defender we'd send in to replace Reyes. So the lineup would look like one of these two:

----------- Rimando
---- Reyes Ivanov Petke
Olsen Kovalenko Nelsen Alegria
----------- Etcheverry
------ Eskandarian Stewart

or:

------------ Rimando
------ Reyes Ivanov Petke
Kovalenko Alegria Nelsen Olsen
---------- Etcheverry
----- Eskandarian Stewart

Obviously not ideal, but I think this is what Ray will do for the opener. I'd prefer the first one, since it keeps our best possible central midfield combination together.

[Diceson]

About Stoichkov, in our talk last week RH said, "How the hell can you start Stoichkov off on the bench? He was f------ World Player of the Year!" You have to admit, that's a pretty solid argument. RH believes that Stoichkov can contribute for a full 90+ minutes. RH thinks he would be more effect establishing momentum at the beginning of a game, and not coming in at the later stages of a game and trying capture it back. He points to Preki as being almost 3 years older, but still starting and playing over 20 games each year.

There is no left or right midfielders. Etcheverry, Stoichkov, Olsen and Convey will wander all over the field. If Reyes pushes up on an overlap, Nelsen and Olsen will stay back. If Convey cuts into the middle, Etcheverry or Stoichkov will slide out wide. If Nellie decides he wants to push for the team scoring title by moving forward, Stewert will slide back into the midfield.

[argo0]

So Kovalenko would be the odd-man out? As good as Stoichkov is, I would be surprised if Ray will want to keep 2 slower guys in the midfield (etch being the other).

That lack of speed in the midfield would reduce the opportunities to attack, and create liabilities in the transition defense.

I don't know that this makes sense, and I would be surprised to see it instituted much.

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by JAnderson14



The starting lineup for opening day, though, is a different case. Right now Convey and Quaranta will be half a world away with the U20's so we have two starters to take care of. Personally I'm figuring Hudson will play Chino either in central midfield with Kovalenko on the right and Olsen on the left, or just insert him directly in for Convey on the left. Eskandarian is almost certain to start with Tino gone.

It entered my mind that he could elect to move Reyes to right midfield and Olsen on the left, but I don't think he will. The team needs to gel, and this is most important in defense.





A few things here Jason...

First, it's not a stone cold lock that Convey and Tino miss the opening game.. If the USA craps out in pool play, they will be home in plenty of time for the opener in KC.. The tournament ends on April 16 so they will both definitely be back for the opener.. Whether or not they will be in condition to play is another matter altogether..

Secondly, don't dismiss the move of Reyes to wing back and Olsen to the left too easily.. I know you said the defense needs to gel, but what good is it having a quality player like Prideaux on your bench and not use him when the situation arises? I think we can all agree that this teams problem is on the offensive side of the ledger, not on the defense..

Therefore, assuming both Bobby and Tino are out for the KC match, this is probably what we are looking at on April 12th:



--------------------- Rimando -------------------


Petke ------------- Ivanov ------------ Prideaux


-------------------- Nelsen ----------------------


Reyes ------------- Etcheverry ----------- Olsen


----------------- Kovalenko ----------------------


----------- Stewart ------- Esky -----------------



I think this team actually gains more speed and counter attack ability with the addition of Reyes on the right flank as opposed to bringing in Alegria to play the left.. The defense will be just fine with the trio noted above plus Nelsen.. Remember, this group is going to have to play like this at some point in the season due to suspensions and injuries..

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by Diceson
About Stoichkov, in our talk last week RH said, "How the hell can you start Stoichkov off on the bench? He was f------ World Player of the Year!" You have to admit, that's a pretty solid argument. RH believes that Stoichkov can contribute for a full 90+ minutes. RH thinks he would be more effect establishing momentum at the beginning of a game, and not coming in at the later stages of a game and trying capture it back. He points to Preki as being almost 3 years older, but still starting and playing over 20 games each year.

There is no left or right midfielders. Etcheverry, Stoichkov, Olsen and Convey will wander all over the field. If Reyes pushes up on an overlap, Nelsen and Olsen will stay back. If Convey cuts into the middle, Etcheverry or Stoichkov will slide out wide. If Nellie decides he wants to push for the team scoring title by moving forward, Stewert will slide back into the midfield.

John, I would be absolutely floored if Hudson starts Stoichkov and expects him to play at a "World Player of the Year" level..

Hudson surely can't expect us to buy that one can he?

I think the addition of Hristo is a big move for United but we simply can not depend on him to spur this team offensively.. He just doesn't have 90 minutes in him anymore.. His reference to Preki and his age are completely meaningless because Preki has remained relatively injury free whereas Hristo is always coming up injured one way or the other..

Big difference there...

[entropy]

Originally posted by Cweedchop
His reference to Preki and his age are completely meaningless because Preki has remained relatively injury free whereas Hristo is always coming up injured one way or the other..

Big difference there...

That, and Hristo smokes.