What can we expect to learn from the friendlies?

[studloans]

First...let me preface this by saying that I am a fan and have been for only a short time. I am not as versed as many of the posters in here but am trying to find my space without sounding like an idiot or someone who is not versed on the topic.
Since camp has been close to the public, how much can we really expect Bruce to show at the friendlies or what do we really want him to show. If it is a closed camp, will Bruce really show his hand?
Please be gentle and try not to flame me too hard...

[lurking]

What kind of form guys are in. Maybe some formational information.

[tbgh]

I think there are two things that Bruce will hold back during the friendlies. First, any set pieces will be extremely simple. He'll save surprises in that area for the WC. Second, he won't reveal his starting 11. Everyone or almost everyone will get significant PT and there will be a little experimentation to see who's in synch with whom.

Other than that, I think everything will be in the open. We won't have any "secret" formations and I don't expect our run of play to be different in any way except for the quality of the opposition.

[Caulfield]

What playing full speed and trying not to get hurt looks like.

[FC Tallavana]

If Dave O'Brien can pronounce Moroccan names.

[IndividualEleven]

General on the ball sharpness. Eddie Johnson and John O'brien
will be interesting to watch in this regard.

How certain different combinations of players work together.

[galaxyfan03]

If Dave O'Brien can pronounce Moroccan names.

Funny!!

How about our starting XI v Morocco?

-------------------------------Keller-----------------------
Cherundolo---------Onyewu------------Pope--------Convey
------------------------------Reyna-----------------------
--Dempsey---------------------------------------Beasley--
-----------------------------Donovan---------------------
----------------EJ------------------------McBride---------

Subs: Gibbs, Mastroeni, JOB, Ching.

I'd start Convey at LB because I'm not sure about Albright there. At RB, yes, but LB is not his preferred spot. I'd also start Dempsey at RB because I want Donovan at AM and to see how EJ & McBride can perform as a duo, up top.

This is just for Morocco. For Venezuela, I would make some changes.

[Dr.Phil]

We will see who is the 2nd striker EJ of Wolff

[FC Tallavana]

Funny!!

How about our starting XI v Morocco?

-------------------------------Keller-----------------------
Cherundolo---------Onyewu------------Pope--------Convey
------------------------------Reyna-----------------------
--Dempsey---------------------------------------Beasley--
-----------------------------Donovan---------------------
----------------EJ------------------------McBride---------

Subs: Gibbs, Mastroeni, JOB, Ching.

I'd start Convey at LB because I'm not sure about Albright there. At RB, yes, but LB is not his preferred spot. I'd also start Dempsey at RB because I want Donovan at AM and to see how EJ & McBride can perform as a duo, up top.

This is just for Morocco. For Venezuela, I would make some changes.

Agree that Convey should start at left back because he's the closest thing to Lewis back there which should allow us to to work on the same tactics that we will use in Germany.

[Dr.Phil]

Funny!!

How about our starting XI v Morocco?

-------------------------------Keller-----------------------
Cherundolo---------Onyewu------------Pope--------Convey
------------------------------Reyna-----------------------
--Dempsey---------------------------------------Beasley--
-----------------------------Donovan---------------------
----------------EJ------------------------McBride---------

Subs: Gibbs, Mastroeni, JOB, Ching.



I think this is too close to the actual line up The Bruce will change it up to allow playing time

[camasterton]

I would'nt read too much into the lineups. Bruce Arena has his June 12th-starting eleven pegged. Just like most friendlies in the Arena era, these warmups don't often reveal his "big match" thoughts. So, even if Timmy Howard starts, I'll just enjoy. The supposed strengths of the Team are versatility and fellowship, so bonding won't be an issue either. More likely, the friendlies will be an exercise in gaining fitness for some, re-learning each other's tendencies, working out the nerves in order to dial in the proper amount of aggression (WC refs have been known to "miss" a call here and there) and working on set pieces for and against. The last being our biggest obstacle in pressure games-( Borgetti header in Mex. City, Ballack in Korea 02, wasting of our own opportunities and on and on). So having talked that through, I'll be looking for growth in that area of our Team's performance, set pieces!

[roadkit]

As BA has said before - he's building a team. This is part of it. I wouldn't take much more from it than that.

Winning? Nice, but really won't mean much.

Losing? Better prep the Bigsoccer server techs - a meltdown is imminent.

:D

[grandinquisitor28]

Agree that Convey should start at left back because he's the closest thing to Lewis back there which should allow us to to work on the same tactics that we will use in Germany.

I don't know. If Lewis cant hack it at Left Back I wouldn't want Convey there. The few times he was used there he didn't humiliate himself or anything, but he also did not impress on the defensive end, he was just adequate and occasionally erratic, kind of like imagining having to start Albright or sub him in in any game whatsoever. If Lewis isn't right for Left Back I really think we should play Gibbs or worst case scenario Boca out there. It's not the natural position for either of them, but both are far more comfortable there than Convey would be, or even Lewis to be honest with you.

I think we'll learn whether GAM will start or not, whether Dempsey's locked down the Right Mid Job, whether Lewis can hack it at Left Back, whether Pope or Gibbs will start at Center Back, where Donovan will play and who will win the MF jobs between Convey, Beasley, Dempsey, O'Brien, Donovan, Reyna and Mastro. Pretty interesting stuff, should be very, very fun to watch. Let's just stay healthy please.

[tbgh]

Didn't JOB start at left back in europe for a time? Maybe that would be a good place to start getting him in form. He would get a lot of practice on his crosses.

[Bruce S]

Didn't JOB start at left back in europe for a time? Maybe that would be a good place to start getting him in form. He would get a lot of practice on his crosses.
JOB barely had the wheels for left back when he was 100% healthy.Gibbs will go on left if Lewis is not the choice.

[galaxyfan03]

I think we'll learn whether GAM will start or not, whether Dempsey's locked down the Right Mid Job, whether Lewis can hack it at Left Back, whether Pope or Gibbs will start at Center Back, where Donovan will play and who will win the MF jobs between Convey, Beasley, Dempsey, O'Brien, Donovan, Reyna and Mastro. Pretty interesting stuff, should be very, very fun to watch. Let's just stay healthy please.

EXCELLENT analysis & I agree 100%!!

[FakeFlopper]

For me, I will look for

How good is EJ?
How will Donovan play?
How our subs will be once in?
And if our chemistry is looking better than 02 already?

I will enjoy

How fast we are
How Gooch kills a forward

[Raider Red]

After playing 90 on Sunday, Lewis won't see the field until Friday.

[CbR]

After playing 90 on Sunday, Lewis won't see the field until Friday.

yep...after a trans atlantic flight none the less

[Raulduke]

All the position player spots are interesting to speculate on, but I'm interested to see how Keller looks. I thought he played as poorly as Beerholder in the Germany match and I'm not sure that he isn't the third best goaly on this roster, 4th best if you include Friedel.