Could Ching start alongside McBride?

[keller4president]

In Ives Galarcep's column today, he suggests that Ching has had such a good camp that Arena may consider starting his two big men upfront: Ching and McBride. And while at first glance it seems crazy, ludicrous and Sampsonesque (i just invented that word), it could damn well work. We need big men muscling up to the Czech midfield and defense, guys that can get there heads on balls into the box. Johnson has a fine header as well, but probably not as good as Ching. What we may sacrifice in speed could be made up by runs from Donovan and Beasley in the midfield.

Is anyone buying this possible formation?

[Mike22]

no.

ives repeatedly states that doing well in MLS and USMNT camp will not win you a starting spot in germany.

ask this question after 2 or all of our send off series games.

[TimB4Last]

In Ives Galarcep's column today, he suggests that Ching has had such a good camp that Arena may consider starting his two big men upfront: Ching and McBride. And while at first glance it seems crazy, ludicrous and Sampsonesque (i just invented that word), it could damn well work. We need big men muscling up to the Czech midfield and defense, guys that can get there heads on balls into the box. Johnson has a fine header as well, but probably not as good as Ching. What we may sacrifice in speed could be made up by runs from Donovan and Beasley in the midfield.

Is anyone buying this possible formation?

In a word, No!

[Soccerprep]

Sampsonesque

This word should be added to the BS dictionary, all posters should keep it handy. As far as the Ching thing, it "could" happen. Obviously we will have to see after the friendlies, perhaps Bruce may try it out in one of the games.

If we flash back to '02 no one really expected Beasely to climb the depth chart like he did. Several people thought he may only get 5 or 10 minutes per game. It was Bruce who said "you may want to add a number in front of that 5, such as a 7 or 8" What does this mean in terms of Ching, Bruce has a very open mind at this point, and nothing is certian (save maybe Keller, Gooch, Donovan, and Dolo)

[Liviu]

Yes, it is possible and may even work well. Let's not forget that Bruce likes the element of surprise and nobody would expect a Ching-McBride pairing.

Why should it be so ludicrous? What if Bruce puts out something like this:

----------Ching--McBride----------
------------Donovan--------------
-Beasley------Reyna------O'brien--
--Lewis---Gooch--Pope----Dolo----
-------------Keller----------------

With a formation like this, you'd have plenty of speed and offensive contribution from the midfield to make up for any lack of speed up top.

[ursula]

In Ives Galarcep's column today, he suggests that Ching has had such a good camp that Arena may consider starting his two big men upfront: Ching and McBride.

Is anyone buying this possible formation?


Remember how during the winter camp before the friendlies we had folks posting here on how good Chris Rolfe was practicing and how he will be getting lots of playing time when the games started? Didn't work out that way did it? In fact the little we did hear out of Arena about Rolfe indicated that he was looking at the player in a very different light then how we were. I'll take Galarcep's observation with the same grain of salt: they aren't Arena's observations and those are the only ones that count.

[Hustletown]

I guess it could happen, but I wouldn't be in favor of it personally. Not that it'd matter of course. :)

I don't agree with starting two forwards who essentially give you the same skill set. It'd sacrifice much needed speed for two bigger targets. Great for set pieces, but not for beating World Cup defenses in the actual run of play.

EJ is an underrated aerial player, and gives you the speed absolutely essential in order to beat World Cup defenses. EJ, Wolff, Donovan would have to be complimentary options next to McBride/Ching in my opinion. All about balance.

[westsidepunk]

For what it is worth, I believe Wynalda had some of the same comments about Ching's performance in camp during Saturday's ESPN2 game. I believe the concept of McBride and another target forward had been talked about earlier this year with Twellman being the other forward in question at that time. It was brought on by a stellar run of form from Fulham with McBride and Helguson paired up. The thought was maybe McBride/Twellman could work in a similiar fashion. I would be very surprised to see Brian Ching in the 11 come June 12th, but I also agree with the previous posters comments on Beasley being a lesson. There will likely be some surprise come game time against the Czechs.

[Martin Fischer]

Remember how during the winter camp before the friendlies we had folks posting here on how good Chris Rolfe was practicing and how he will be getting lots of playing time when the games started? Didn't work out that way did it? In fact the little we did hear out of Arena about Rolfe indicated that he was looking at the player in a very different light then how we were. I'll take Galarcep's observation with the same grain of salt: they aren't Arena's observations and those are the only ones that count.

What's that smell?.... Oh, it's sanity, I almost forgot what that smells like.

[Asprilla9]

the thing Ching's got going for him is ... he's hot. probably the most in-form of all our strikers. that shouldn't be short-changed. there's something to be said for going with the hot hand.

but IMHO, EJ causes more problems for the European teams. i'll bet if you asked CR/IT, they'd rather see a guy like Ching in there than a speeddemon/freak physical specimen like EJ, b/c Ching is easier to defence. Ching is more like what the Czechs are used to seeing (big, slow), but infinitely less skilled and talented. From what i can see, the European teams seem to take note (almost a bit intimidated) of our athletic freak players, like DMB and EJ. putting Ching in there makes it easier on the defence.

it wouldn't be the end of the world if i got up at 7 AM pacific on June 12th and saw Chinger in there with McBride (IOW, i wouldn't throw an iron through my TV screen). but i'd prefer to see EJ in there.

[DutchFootballRulez]

The only argument you can make is that McBride and Helguson played together for Fulham, and both were Aerial threats. However, Helguson, to me, seemed a bit faster than McBride so ..it seemed to work at times. But I'm not sure it'll work vs. CZR, MAYBE vs. Italy if we get a favorable referee who will let Ching/McBride battle the Italy defenders for position and actually win the ball.

But as others posted above. Still need pace on the field and DMB and LD aren't enough because Italy ain't too slow at Fullback. I've not seen Mark Jankulovski(sp) play much to judge his pace..

[BigKris]

Buy: the word "Sampsonesque"

Sell: the idea of Ching starting alongside McBride.

[VBSoccerFan]

It would be a departure for Arena. From the time he was at UVA he liked having a big target guy paired with a speed player to make runs off the target player. I tend to agree with those who said it would be a poor move against the Euros to play the two target guys. If we have an advantage over the European teams it is team speed, and I would think we'd go for more speed over less speed. Maximize your strengths and find ways to bring them to bear on your opponent, rather than trying to match his strength. Conduct a struggle of will for the style of play. Don't play to your opponent's style.

[peledre]

Ching alongside McBride?
Brilliant!
http://www.doesthecirclehold.com/wp-content/guinnessB11.jpg

[Maximum Optimal]

I heard someone from the Italian Federation approached il Bruce with some sort of deal where we would play Ching in exchange for other considerations.

[sidefootsitter]

Yes, IF...

... they need a goal vs. Czechia and/or Italy late in the game

or

... they need three points from Ghana (which they will under most probable scenarios).

[FirstStar]

The Chinger is in fine form right now and may never play better in his life. That still may not be enough, though. He's a defensive liability, and defense from big bodies tracking back on set plays will be important for the US.

We'll see.

I'm very encouraged, though, by all that Ives reports. I know he has rose-colored glasses, but he is certainly high on the squad right now. I'm eager to see for myself tomorrow night, especially the 4-4-2 vs. 3-5-2 idea. If JOB really is healthy, him playing LDM next to Reyna at RDM in 3-5-2 (sometimes 4-4-2, sometimes 5-3-2) could make a lot of sense. JOB could be asked to go as far as he can and then sub in Pablo (more defensive) or Eddie Lewis (more offensive).

[10101010101]

......No

[Autogolazo]

Ives mentioned in the same article that the U.S. was leaning toward a 3-5-2 against the Czechs.

Ahem.

Either Ives was smoking something or he's being paid to put disinformation out there at this point.

[IndividualEleven]

Remember how during the winter camp before the friendlies we had folks posting here on how good Chris Rolfe was practicing and how he will be getting lots of playing time when the games started? Didn't work out that way did it? In fact the little we did hear out of Arena about Rolfe indicated that he was looking at the player in a very different light then how we were. I'll take Galarcep's observation with the same grain of salt: they aren't Arena's observations and those are the only ones that count.

Rolfe played in the Hammarby game, the South Korea game, and
the Guatamala game. He got his time but it was Wolff's spot to lose.