US vs. Ghana, pick your lineup

[Asprilla9]

i can't believe this hasn't been started yet (mods, if it has ... merge away).

anyway, LOTS of walking wounded out there, as per usual for a 3rd group match. we're minus Mastroeni and Pope to suspension. i will go with:


----------- BMB

BC/DMB ---- LD------ Dempsey

-----JOB---------Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Cherundolo

----------- Keller


main issues as I see them (not in any order of importance):

1. Convey or DMB, or neither? who has earned a start at this point?
2. Will Arena keep EJ on the bench for a 3rd straight game?? (at first whistle, i'm talking about)
3. Do you go with Conrad or Beerholder to replace Pope?
---- or you could slide Boca over and start Lewis at LB. but i'm afraid ole Eddie played himself out of that role.
4. Is JOB match-fit and ready for a start (against a VERY physical team nonetheless)?
5. Dempsey is a lock at starter, right?


as a side-thought, if you really think EJ's gonna start, i suppose it could go like this:


------- EJ ----- BMB

DMB ------ LD ------- Dempsey

--------- Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Dolo

obviously with DMB having some serious tracking back responsibilities to help out Reyna. LD/Dempsey taking the reins on the attack. PM's suspension really changes things folks.

[Javer42]

i can't believe this hasn't been started yet (mods, if it has ... merge away).

anyway, LOTS of walking wounded out there, as per usual for a 3rd group match. we're minus Mastroeni and Pope to suspension. i will go with:


----------- BMB

BC/DMB ---- LD------ Dempsey

-----JOB---------Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Cherundolo

----------- Keller


main issues as I see them (not in any order of importance):

1. Convey or DMB, or neither? who has earned a start at this point?
2. Will Arena keep EJ on the bench for a 3rd straight game?? (at first whistle, i'm talking about)
3. Do you go with Conrad or Beerholder to replace Pope?
---- or you could slide Boca over and start Lewis at LB. but i'm afraid ole Eddie played himself out of that role.
4. Is JOB match-fit and ready for a start (against a VERY physical team nonetheless)?
5. Dempsey is a lock at starter, right?


as a side-thought, if you really think EJ's gonna start, i suppose it could go like this:


------- EJ ----- BMB

DMB ------ LD ------- Dempsey

--------- Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Dolo

obviously with DMB having some serious tracking back responsibilities to help out Reyna. LD/Dempsey taking the reins on the attack. PM's suspension really changes things folks.

Love your lineups. Couple things to consider...

Neither Dempsey nor Convey are known much for their defense on the wings. With Pablo out I think that might be an issue -- so I'd start DMB on the left and use Convey as a late sub if we need a goal. DMB's speed and tracking back will be crucial in this match.

I also wonder just how much yesterday's match took out of our team. I believe that Landon, Boca, Dolo, Reyna, BMB, Gooch, and Dempsey went the full 90. Does anyone think a few of those guys (Reyna/BMB/Duece) might have trouble getting their legs back by the time Thursday rolls around?

I'd love to start EJ in this match, but given Pablo's suspension I think it'll be critical to go with a five man midfield. Which means the only way EJ starts is as a lone striker in place of BMB, or this:

---------EJ----BMB----------
------------LD---------------
DMB---------------------Dolo
------JOB-------Reyna-------
---Boca---Gooch---Conrad---
-----------Keller-------------

I really wish we had Pablo for this one. I don't trust anyone else to even attempt to neutralize Essien. We're going to need tactics and finishing to pull this one off.

[purojogo]

i can't believe this hasn't been started yet (mods, if it has ... merge away).

anyway, LOTS of walking wounded out there, as per usual for a 3rd group match. we're minus Mastroeni and Pope to suspension. i will go with:


----------- BMB

BC/DMB ---- LD------ Dempsey

-----JOB---------Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Cherundolo

----------- Keller


main issues as I see them (not in any order of importance):

1. Convey or DMB, or neither? who has earned a start at this point?
2. Will Arena keep EJ on the bench for a 3rd straight game?? (at first whistle, i'm talking about)
3. Do you go with Conrad or Beerholder to replace Pope?
---- or you could slide Boca over and start Lewis at LB. but i'm afraid ole Eddie played himself out of that role.
4. Is JOB match-fit and ready for a start (against a VERY physical team nonetheless)?
5. Dempsey is a lock at starter, right?


as a side-thought, if you really think EJ's gonna start, i suppose it could go like this:


------- EJ ----- BMB

DMB ------ LD ------- Dempsey

--------- Reyna

Boca -- Conrad -- OO -- Dolo

obviously with DMB having some serious tracking back responsibilities to help out Reyna. LD/Dempsey taking the reins on the attack. PM's suspension really changes things folks.
man, this upcoming Ghana matrch is one of those where we really could have used a player of the quality of Cory Gibbs, who has some pace to keep up with Ghana's speed.... Berhalter does not seem to me as a great option....Conrad is fairly inexperience at this level, but i would lean in for him in the lineup...and hope he has a fantastic match,,,,
KK of course....
Conrad Gooch at center...Dolo on the right
BOca..or maybe Lewis on the left.... (who can keep up better with Ghanians knack for speed coupled with great technique on the ground? can't believe we still do not know or can say "that's our best LB" this late in time)

Convey Reyna LD Dempsey in midfield
We might want to add JOB if healthy enough to counter the fact that we also need peeople who like most Ghana players can keep the ball on the ground and make killer passes....
If not....EJ and BMB up top ....

or if JOB is in ... LD will have to take turns playing both midfield and a second forward..... or something like that...

[Lord15]

-----Wolff------EJ-------
JOB----Landon---Dempsey
--------Reyna----------
Boca-Gooch-Conrad-Dolo

No doubt EJ starts.

[sregis]

now that bruce's hand is forced, we might just get a lineup many had asked for v. italy. forced to use his best field player (job) and scorer (ej). we need a boatload of goals, people.

[purojogo]

-----Wolff------EJ-------
JOB----Landon---Dempsey
--------Reyna----------
Boca-Gooch-Conrad-Dolo

No doubt EJ starts.
no BMB?

[the stranger]

Johnson needs to start.

Either Lewis/Boca or O'Brien/Lewis on the left side.

[Davids26]

now that bruce's hand is forced, we might just get a lineup many had asked for v. italy. forced to use his best field player (job) and scorer (ej). we need a boatload of goals, people.

A boatload of goals will really only help us if the Czechs and Italians tie. Seeing as that wouldn't clinch certainty for either team, and with the prospect of a round of 16 match looming against Brazil, I'd say both teams will be going for the win... There is a great possibility one of the big guns in this tournament will go out in the first round.

Lets just hope Italy takes care of business.

With that said, I think we need to start two center mids against Ghana. That red to Mastroeni is really unfortunate for this game, and I've been saying it all along, but Cory Gibbs' injury in training camp will really hurt us now. I think Lewis played himself out of the left back spot against the Czechs, so I think Boca will be there against Ghana again. And I believe Bruce prefers Conrad to Berhalter at this point so:

--------McBride
--------------Donovan
Beasley-------------Dempsey
-------O'Brien----Reyna
Boca---Gooch----Conrad---Dolo
--------------Keller

[goussoccer]

Love your lineups. Couple things to consider...

Neither Dempsey nor Convey are known much for their defense on the wings. With Pablo out I think that might be an issue -- so I'd start DMB on the left and use Convey as a late sub if we need a goal. DMB's speed and tracking back will be crucial in this match.

I also wonder just how much yesterday's match took out of our team. I believe that Landon, Boca, Dolo, Reyna, BMB, Gooch, and Dempsey went the full 90. Does anyone think a few of those guys (Reyna/BMB/Duece) might have trouble getting their legs back by the time Thursday rolls around?

.....

Dempsey did not go the full 90, so he'll be ready again if Bruce calls for Ghana.

I do think that those guys may have a hard time coming back, but I also don't think you have too much of a choice, except Bocanegra vs. Lewis on the left.

I still think that LD is a bit lost up top. We need to win this game, we can not be thinking that we are going to go all out to put a bunch of goals in against Ghana, that's too risky. We just need a win, if the goals come, then great.

My lineup - a more defensive minded line-up:

....BMB....LD

Convey....JOB...Reyna...DMB

Lewis.....Gooch...Conrad (he earned it last night)...Dolo

....Keller (need you ask)

The question marks/options in my book are bring in Eddie, drop LD to the midfield and then take of who?? I vote for....Convey, just because his legs are not as fresh as DMB's. You play without a true right sided midfielder, but we have done that before haven't we?? That yields the following, more offensive lineup:

....BMB... EJ (fresh legs)

...DMB (fresh legs)...LD...JOB (fresh legs)....Reyna

...Lewis (fresh legs)...Gooch...Conrad (fresh legs)...Dolo

....Keller

Between, JOB and Reyna, they know how to disrupt a midfield..they can do that.

That provides a balance of people who are fresh with those who prove they absolutely belong.

[cpwilson80]

This is a must win game, and with a mere 1 goal in 2 games, we need more attacking chances. Hence, I want Johnson in there with McBride.

With Mastroeni out, it's time to put O'Brien out there from the start. After the exhausting Italy game, I don't think I want Reyna in there as a solo center mid.

---McBride---Johnson------

-Convey------------Donovan

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

Boca--Conrad-Onyewu--Dolo


Dempsey was the toughest omission, and if we go with a diamond, I think it's Donovan up top, with Dempsey, Reyna, and O'Brien as the three behind him.

[Davids26]

This is a must win game, and with a mere 1 goal in 2 games, we need more attacking chances. Hence, I want Johnson in there with McBride.

With Mastroeni out, it's time to put O'Brien out there from the start. After the exhausting Italy game, I don't think I want Reyna in there as a solo center mid.

---McBride---Johnson------

-Convey------------Donovan

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

Boca--Conrad-Onyewu--Dolo


Dempsey was the toughest omission, and if we go with a diamond, I think it's Donovan up top, with Dempsey, Reyna, and O'Brien as the three behind him.

I like the lineup, and I could see this one happening as I could the one I posted above, but I think we'll need Beasley's speed and fresh legs in order to help Boca on the left defensively... I'd trust Beaz on the left for this game -- he didn't play horribly yesterday. With DMB in instead of COnvey, we've got Bobby and Dempsey coming off the bench in case we need a spark, plus either Wolff or Ching.

I really do think that lineup gives us the best chance to win though.

[Crimson Ace]

-------------Keller-------------
Dolo---Gooch---Conrad---Boca
-------------Reyna-------------
Dempsey--Donovan---Convey
----------BMB-----EJ----------

As many have said, we need goals... but our backs must defend smartly. I think the defensive experience of Boca outweighs Lewis' service - especially with Convey running the flanks. EJ should finally get his chance to walk out of the tunnel and make an impact from the first whistle. In my opinion, Reyna has been MoTM for our first two outings, but he'll really need players like Donovan and BMB to pick up their games verbally to compensate for fatigue. I think people also need to prepare themselves mentally for a possible Ben Olsen sighting if Reyna begins to fade. We'll see...

[CbR]

im thinking Lewis needs to start at LM. You have to facor that convey may be worn out. His set pieces may prove to be the difference.

Dempsey at RM...he deserves it.

---mcbride--EJ---
----donovan----

lewis-job-reyna--dempsey

boca--Gooch-conrad

[Nutmeg]

I guess the question is who is still walking? Assuming everyone recovers from that incredible effort, which seems like a longshot...

EJ, McBride

Convey, Donovan, Reyna, Dempsey

Lewis, Boca, Gooch, Dolo

[FC Tallavana]

---------------Johnson
--Beasley------Donovan-------Dempsey
--------O'Brien----------Reyna
---Lewis----Boca----Gooch-----Cholo
-----------------Keller


I don't like Lewis at LB or Beasley at all but I have a feeling this is the right line-up to get the points. I'm hoping this plays like a 4-3-3 instead of a 4-5-1.

[eric_appleby]

We've got to get Dempsey and Johnson on the field at the same time.
Then maybe we could score some goals.

[Namdynamo]

We need to score goals to win people. We have yet to score a goal in the first 2 games due to conservative lineups.

This game is a win or go home game, that means we need to score goals to win. Dempsey and Johnson (our 2 best scorer on the team) must start. No more holding back with the conservative, safety first, Bruce Arena style lineup.

Ghana loves to attack and will attack in waves after waves. The best strategy against them will be to defend and couterattack. We will have to defend with all 10 men, and counterattack quickly with speed. That's the only way we can win. McBride alone on top will not do it as seen in the first 2 games.

Knowing Bruce Arena, he will most likely wuss-out and play another conservative lineup. If Ghana score first (as in the first 2 games), we are finish.

[USINEU]

We still have not put one in the net - so lets give EJ a shot. Also, BMB may be worn out and his facial injury may be subject to swelling etc.

[joamiq]

BMB, EJ
Convey, JOB, Donovan, Reyna, Dempsey
Boca, Onyewu, Cherundolo

Convey and Dempsey gave the Italians fits last night and their offensive effectiveness outweighs their defensive woes. JOB must start - the US is a different team when he plays. Reyna and Donovan can also build on the last game. IIRC, one of Ghana's strikers misses this match for 2 yellows, so I'd gamble on the backline handling Essien and the rest of the midfield harrassing the Ghana midfielders as soon as they touch the ball. The Ghana midfielders have excellent first touch and great vision, so we have to be on them immediately and cut down their passing lanes.
EJ looked dangerous against the Czechs. I would bring in Bease if any of the midfielders OR forwards seem ineffective. I think highly of Beasley's finishing and think he will be hungry for a goal after having one disallowed against Italy. Lewis could also be a possible Boca or Convey sub.

[mrgifted]

This might be unpopular, but I think we are going to see Ben Olsen if we get a lead.

................Keller................
Chund..Gooch..Conrad..Boca
......Reyna.........JOB...........
Deuce.....................Convey
..............Donovan.............
..............McBride..............

EJ for McBride (60)
Olsen for JOB (60)
Lewis for Boca/Convey (75+)