Grant Wahl's WC Preview - USA

[ECRedSoxFan]

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere, but I thought it was worth discussion:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/04/17/profile.usa/index.html
I like his starters except I personally would like to see Gibbs over Pope as that 2nd middle defender, but I can live with what he has listed. Only other thoughts would be in regards to Convey (over Beasley?). I don't know much about Beasley's current form, but he looked beyond poor in the Poland match (last time I saw him). Convey has been impressive the last several times I have seen him play.

[Asprilla9]

gotta have Mastroeni in there. GOT TO. that midfield is too cute, not enough punch to handle the Czechs or Italians (or the Ghanaians, for that matter).

[appoo]

Czech's only have 2 central midfielders. One of them isn't any better than either Reyna or JOB. The other is Rosicky. I like my chances there without a destroyer

[superdave]

Is that his prediction of what Bruce will do, or his preference?

That lineup manages to both leave Pablo on the bench, meaning a weak defensive midfield, and at the same time have mediocre scoring ability from midfield. Assuming Dempsey and Beasley are the wings, that central midfield isn't much of a threat to score, is it? Add that to the dubious goal scoring of McBride and Donovan....

Don't get me started on Pope. Fine, put him on the team, his recent play has earned that. But to start him over Gibbs AND Bocanegra???????

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Interesting he puts LD up front, guess he has been following the "Is there anyone else with a pulse to play forward threads". :)

[ElRoss425]

Mastro is not needed. Reyna has put the clamps on some high caliber players. Remember Davids. That wasn't too long ago.

[appoo]

Reyna + JOB <> Weak Defensive midfield. Fact
Reyna + JOB = Best central midfielders on the field. Fact.

[JohnR]

Assuming Dempsey and Beasley are the wings, that central midfield isn't much of a threat to score, is it? Add that to the dubious goal scoring of McBride and Donovan....

What's your alternative? Swapping in Pablo won't add offensive punch. And McBride and Donovan up top look pretty good when compared to the alternatives. Barcelona, we're not. In fact, '02 offense, we're not.

[appoo]

btw - can anyone here recall the last time Bocanegra played a soccer game? Does anyone know when he'll play another soccer game?

[appoo]

and to those who believe a 451, unbalanced lineup can't do it.

Germany (GER) USA (USA)
[ 1] KAHN Oliver (GK) (C) [ 1] FRIEDEL Brad (GK)
[ 2] LINKE Thomas [ 2] HEJDUK Frankie (-65')
[ 6] ZIEGE Christian [ 3] BERHALTER Gregg
[ 7] NEUVILLE Oliver (-80') [ 4] MASTROENI Pablo (-80')
[ 8] HAMANN Dietmar [ 5] O BRIEN John
[ 11] KLOSE Miroslav (-88') [ 7] LEWIS Eddie
[ 13] BALLACK Michael [ 10] REYNA Claudio (C)
[ 15] KEHL Sebastian [ 20] MC BRIDE Brian (-58')
[ 19] SCHNEIDER Bernd (-60') [ 21] DONOVAN Landon
[ 21] METZELDER Christoph [ 22] SANNEH Anthony
[ 22] FRINGS Torsten [ 23] POPE Eddie


------Sanneh-----Pope------Berhalter------Hejduk---------
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Mastro-------------------------------
--------------Reyna---------JOB-----------Lewis------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
----------------Donovan------McBride------------------------

Pretty much the best game we ever played in a world cup (including the Portugal match) considering the situation, our dominance, and the opponent. And the chances created.

[macheath]

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere, but I thought it was worth discussion:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/04/17/profile.usa/index.html
I like his starters except I personally would like to see Gibbs over Pope as that 2nd middle defender, but I can live with what he has listed. Only other thoughts would be in regards to Convey (over Beasley?). I don't know much about Beasley's current form, but he looked beyond poor in the Poland match (last time I saw him). Convey has been impressive the last several times I have seen him play.

Wahl is ok, except: Convey for Dempsey, switch Beasley to the right; assuming JOB isn't ready, Pablo starts as the defensive mid. Probably play a 4-3-3 (or 4-3-2-1, if you like) , with McBride up top, Donovan coming from a slightly withdrawn position.

[bwach]

I posted the below in another thread on the US forwards. I really respect Grant Wahl, though, so I'm happy to see this thread:


sigh....Its starting to look like Bruce may have to start seriously considering a 5 man midfield with BMB as the lone striker. It won't be so bad at least it'll allow DMB, LD and Convey on the field all at the same time.

Grant Wahl is thinking along those lines over at CNNSI. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/04/17/profile.usa/index.html)

Although he's thinking Dempsey over Convey.

It's pretty clear that our greatest depth right now is at midfield. As long as we maintain our health there, bring Donovan as a forward to pair with BMcB. That puts our strongest players on the field and leaves Convey, EJ, and Rolfe available to sub if anyone's ineffective.

Grant Wahl's lineup:

-----BMcB-----Donovan-----
Beas--Reyna--JOB--Dempsey
Lewis--Pope--Onyewu--Dolo
----------Keller------------

This is close to my preferred offensive lineup. For a more defensive stance I'd consider Convey, Mastro, and Gibbs for Beas, JOB, and Lewis/Pope.

That leaves the 2nd string preferably:

-------EJ-------Rolfe-------
Convey--Mastro---Olsen---KZ
Gibbs--Boca--Hejduk--Spector
------Howard/Hanneman------

Olsen, KZ, Howard, and Hanneman never see the field for the duration of the Cup - therefore I don't mind fudging around Olsen and KZ's slots with a wildcard like Mapp.

That being the case - I am very happy with something like this as I think it provides the US a very strong team with plenty of reserve quality - and the opportunity to throw a surprising player in the mix as well.

[JohnR]

as I think it provides the US a very strong team

Your lineup would have fewest goals of any central midfield in the Cup, aside from the no hopers. A right mid who has never had a good international game against a high-quality side. A left mid who can't get off the bench at the club level. A MLS forward who couldn't make the starting 11 in Europe, and an old forward whose manager wants him to get an operation the day that the club season ends.

Aside from that, our offense looks strong, yes. ;)

[Asprilla9]

Czech's only have 2 central midfielders. One of them isn't any better than either Reyna or JOB. The other is Rosicky. I like my chances there without a destroyeri'm gonna use this as my sig line after we get beat 3-0 with Wahl's soft-as-a-marshmallow midfield. :D

[Zeppelin]

So basicaly the US line-up will be consisted of 90% WC-2002 vet, will this be a good thing or bad ?

[Martin Fischer]

Reyna + JOB <> Weak Defensive midfield. Fact
Reyna + JOB = Best central midfielders on the field. Fact.

Those who forget history are deemed to repeat it -- and the US can't afford to this time around.

[Asprilla9]

So basicaly the US line-up will be consisted of 90% WC-2002 vet, will this be a good thing or bad ?it's a great idea until JOB and Reyna get injured, which will likely happen in the first 65 minutes of the opening match. and a good idea until Dempsey gets his 2nd yellow for diving, sometime around minute 86 of the first match. :D

[Hed7181]

Your lineup would have fewest goals of any central midfield in the Cup, aside from the no hopers. A right mid who has never had a good international game against a high-quality side. A left mid who can't get off the bench at the club level. A MLS forward who couldn't make the starting 11 in Europe, and an old forward whose manager wants him to get an operation the day that the club season ends.

Aside from that, our offense looks strong, yes. ;)

"A left mid who can't get off the bench at the club level." ???

Have you really been paying any attention to Beasley this year?

"A MLS forward who couldn't make the starting 11 in Europe..."

Alright, this may be true, but this doesn't change his NT record, and excellent club play in MLS, not to mention leadership at a very young age.

"...and an old forward whose manager wants him to get an operation the day that the club season ends."

Again, speculation, and overly critical of one of the strongest performers in the EPL this year, regardless (yes, I said it). Athletes play through these injuries (if he really has it) as he has been doing. He can have the surgery after the WC and still be back for the season opener w/ Fulham ala Conrad.

Such a negative outlook is really not healthy, my friend.

[superdave]

and to those who believe a 451, unbalanced lineup can't do it.


------Sanneh-----Pope------Berhalter------Hejduk---------
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Mastro-------------------------------
--------------Reyna---------JOB-----------Lewis------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
----------------Donovan------McBride------------------------

Pretty much the best game we ever played in a world cup (including the Portugal match) considering the situation, our dominance, and the opponent. And the chances created.

You dork, that was a 3-5-2, with Hejduk at right wingback.

Your obsession on this point, and your veiled shots at me, are now officially annoying.

[Soccernethost]

Think Gibbs or Spector have a chance at left back and that Johnson might see the field at the expense of Dempsey, but think it's more likely that Wahl's got it exactly right.