"You are only as dangerous as are your teammates around you." [R]

[Nutmeg]

Famous words from my high school coach. Although he played Division 1 NCAA soccer and could still hold his own with any of his team’s players, he wasn’t much of a teacher. I didn’t learn a lot from him in the 2 years he coached at our school. But before the State semifinals, he taught me one lesson that I filed away and have used in more than one setting, both in and out of soccer.

We were going up against a school whose central midfield was all-world and would go on to a pretty successful collegiate career. It was my task to mark him, and as we were watching tape, I started to realize this would be the toughest challenge I had faced as a player.

Coach stopped the tape and said, “Remember. You are only as dangerous as are your teammates around you. He cannot beat us by himself. Don’t just watch him, watch his teammates.”

My tape review changed from then on. They were low-quality home videos so it was hard to get a wide field perspective, but it quickly became apparent that Mr. All-Star was alone on an island. We shut him down pretty easily that night.

While watching the Confederations Cup, this lesson resurfaced in my mind, especially when watching players like Vanney, Hejduk, Armas, Klein, and Kirovski. I understand that all of these players have their support cults here on BigSoccer, but even their most avid supporters would be passing into the delusional realm if they really thought these guys present consistently dangerous opportunities opponents of the US have to be looking out for.

With these guys providing the outlets to kids like Bobby Convey , Landon Donovan, or DaMarcus Beasley, our young guys are going to struggle to create dangerous opportunities. US opponents can focus on them knowing there is a very good chance that they’re not going to get burned by the other players around them. The strategy worked. The US scored one goal in 3 games.

The answer then becomes somewhat simple. Find a way to get the biggest number of dangerous players on the field as you can, within reason. For the United States, there is a lot of hope on the horizon, as bummed out as we might be right now.

Brian McBride is going to play a big role in qualifying, and he is simply a huge upgrade over Kirovski at the target forward position. Cherundolo showed that a season of regular time in one of the world’s top 4 leagues has helped him to come a long way from the kid we saw make his debut in 2001. Martino showed that the hype he generated in MLS was deserved. His play against Cameroon opened a lot of eyes. And of course there is John O’brien and Claudio Reyna, the two reigning skillmen of the US team.


When Bruce finds a way to get McBride, Donovan, Beasley, Martino, Reyna, Convey, O’brien, Boca, Pope, and Dolo on the field together at one time, there is not a better, more dangerous team in CONCACAF. It’s not even that hard:

---- McBride -------- Donovan ----

DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey

JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

Any team in CONCACAF would be pissing their shorts to see that lineup across the field. Who knows, if the stars align, it could happen.

If the Confed Cup taught us nothing else, I hope we learned this. The more dangerous we are, the better we are. Too be dangerous, we have to have dangerous players on the field.

[BenC1357]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
---- McBride -------- Donovan ----

DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey

JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

Any team in CONCACAF would be pissing their shorts to see that lineup across the field. Who knows, if the stars align, it could happen.

If the Confed Cup taught us nothing else, I hope we learned this. The more dangerous we are, the better we are. Too be dangerous, we have to have dangerous players on the field.

Nice post, but you just cant leave Lewis off the field. Just cant, not the way he's playing right now.

[imasyko]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
Famous words from my high school coach. Although he played Division 1 NCAA soccer and could still hold his own with any of his team’s players, he wasn’t much of a teacher. I didn’t learn a lot from him in the 2 years he coached at our school. But before the State semifinals, he taught me one lesson that I filed away and have used in more than one setting, both in and out of soccer.

We were going up against a school whose central midfield was all-world and would go on to a pretty successful collegiate career. It was my task to mark him, and as we were watching tape, I started to realize this would be the toughest challenge I had faced as a player.

Coach stopped the tape and said, “Remember. You are only as dangerous as are your teammates around you. He cannot beat us by himself. Don’t just watch him, watch his teammates.”

My tape review changed from then on. They were low-quality home videos so it was hard to get a wide field perspective, but it quickly became apparent that Mr. All-Star was alone on an island. We shut him down pretty easily that night.

While watching the Confederations Cup, this lesson resurfaced in my mind, especially when watching players like Vanney, Hejduk, Armas, Klein, and Kirovski. I understand that all of these players have their support cults here on BigSoccer, but even their most avid supporters would be passing into the delusional realm if they really thought these guys present consistently dangerous opportunities opponents of the US have to be looking out for.

With these guys providing the outlets to kids like Bobby Convey , Landon Donovan, or DaMarcus Beasley, our young guys are going to struggle to create dangerous opportunities. US opponents can focus on them knowing there is a very good chance that they’re not going to get burned by the other players around them. The strategy worked. The US scored one goal in 3 games.

The answer then becomes somewhat simple. Find a way to get the biggest number of dangerous players on the field as you can, within reason. For the United States, there is a lot of hope on the horizon, as bummed out as we might be right now.

Brian McBride is going to play a big role in qualifying, and he is simply a huge upgrade over Kirovski at the target forward position. Cherundolo showed that a season of regular time in one of the world’s top 4 leagues has helped him to come a long way from the kid we saw make his debut in 2001. Martino showed that the hype he generated in MLS was deserved. His play against Cameroon opened a lot of eyes. And of course there is John O’brien and Claudio Reyna, the two reigning skillmen of the US team.


When Bruce finds a way to get McBride, Donovan, Beasley, Martino, Reyna, Convey, O’brien, Boca, Pope, and Dolo on the field together at one time, there is not a better, more dangerous team in CONCACAF. It’s not even that hard:

---- McBride -------- Donovan ----

DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey

JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

Any team in CONCACAF would be pissing their shorts to see that lineup across the field. Who knows, if the stars align, it could happen.

If the Confed Cup taught us nothing else, I hope we learned this. The more dangerous we are, the better we are. Too be dangerous, we have to have dangerous players on the field.

As always, good stuff Nutmeg.

AFter reading about the latest trend in alignments, how about this?

Cherondolo - Boca - Pope - JOB
Convey Reyna
Donovan Martino Beasley
Mathis

This allows Convey to make his runs from deep in midfield, at which he seems adept. It will also relieve Martino of any significant defensive responsibilities. Reyna is a better passer and has better skills than Mastro/Armas, and JOB will be excellent in providing support and service to DMB.

[uniteo]

With that lineup, yeah you can. But if you need Lewis, take off Martino, put Convey in the middle, DMB on the right, and Lewis gets the left side.

done.

[lurking]

Originally posted by uniteo
With that lineup, yeah you can. But if you need Lewis, take off Martino, put Convey in the middle, DMB on the right, and Lewis gets the left side.

done.

Convey isnt ready for the middle. He doesnt reach out, grab the game and try and get himself, and by connection the center of the field, involved in the game. Thats what impressed me about Martino and why Id rather see him start there. He spread Cameroon out across the field and made our attacks more varied.

Originally posted by Nutmeg
---- McBride -------- Donovan ----

DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey

JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

First real quick, replace Convey with Lewis, with Lewis on the right and DMB on the left and you may have something more.

Moving on...

JOB at left back is still a panic move in my book. Hes better than Martino in the center of midfield, and should start there if at all possible. The only way Id consider that is if we have exhausted all hope of getting an adequate left back. In order, Id like to see and give up on the following players at left back first:

1. Dunivant
2. Gibbs
3. Barret
4. Gbandi

All those guys have the potential to fill that slot as well as KMart fills the center mid. When you consider that JOB makes a better center mid than a left back it makes it even more important to check out the possibility. Their also still may be a prospect or 3 cropping up between now and then as well.

WCQ starts next year, but lets be honest. The opponents level just isnt high enough to expose us there untill the hex. Even then Vanney or Gibbs, from what Ive seen would be enough to get us through to the WC.

No reason to panic, there is time to sort these things out.

[FlashMan]

i thought Lewis had a lousy Confed Cup. seemed tired to me.

[Various Styles]

When Bruce finds a way to get McBride, Donovan, Beasley, Martino, Reyna, Convey, O’brien, Boca, Pope, and Dolo on the field together at one time, there is not a better, more DEFENSIVE team in CONCACAF.

Fixed your Post :)

[appoo]

you guys are missing the point that Nutmeg is making. This isn't about line-ups or anything like that. It's about the principle of getting is much as skill and danger onto the field as possible. A lot of people at Bigsoccer love the idea of a destroyer. You know, someone who can kil the opposing offenses attacks. Well if you were to understand Nutmeg's theory, you'd realize just why having a destroyer is detrimental. Guys like Frankie Hejduk, Pablo Mastroeni, and Chris Armas should not be playing as often as they are. Its also true of Chris Klein and Jovan Kirvoski. What Bruce should do is think of every field position there and aski himself if this person has enough skill to make himself dangerous. If the answer is no, then that player shouldn't be playing

[fluidsoccer]

Originally posted by appooOnU
you guys are missing the point that Nutmeg is making. This isn't about line-ups or anything like that. It's about the principle of getting is much as skill and danger onto the field as possible. A lot of people at Bigsoccer love the idea of a destroyer. You know, someone who can kil the opposing offenses attacks. Well if you were to understand Nutmeg's theory, you'd realize just why having a destroyer is detrimental. Guys like Frankie Hejduk, Pablo Mastroeni, and Chris Armas should not be playing as often as they are. Its also true of Chris Klein and Jovan Kirvoski. What Bruce should do is think of every field position there and aski himself if this person has enough skill to make himself dangerous. If the answer is no, then that player shouldn't be playing

That is truly a great theory but it could backfire. We need a player in the midfield with some defensive prowess, we just do, or we will get torched down the middle of the field, and never see the ball.
Now that isn't to say we need a "destroyer" everywhere, but we do need a d-mid. IMHO Masstro has enough skills and tenacity to be put on the short list for possible center mids to slide in behind to playmaking center mids.

[Woodrow]

Did you even watch the US v. Germany quarterfinal? Reyna played the game of his life, doing it on both ends.

Have you checked out Beasely and Convey recently? Those guys go endline to endline for 90.

Nutmeg is correct What is being proposed is to raise the standards higher and higher. This game is ultimately about scoring goals and none of the players mentioned is deficient as an all around soccer player. That is key.

[voros]

Originally posted by appooOnU
you guys are missing the point that Nutmeg is making. This isn't about line-ups or anything like that. It's about the principle of getting is much as skill and danger onto the field as possible.
Well if that's the case, though he might not like it, I'd rather see a right-footed Reyna at right mid than a left footed player.

That would set up a situation where JOB could be the D-mid or left back depending on who the final piece is. The top three rookies in MLS this year so far are probably Damani Ralph, Rico Clark and Todd Dunivant. Ralph, unfortunately for us, is Jamaican (maybe he'll get kicked off the team like Guevara did with Honduras), but Clark and Dunivant are Americans and are, coincidentally, a d-mid and a left back. Obviously both are a long way from being World Cup squad members, but both have skill and poise on the ball (though Clark has infinitely more natural ability than Dunivant).

Also, pains me to say, but we are as of yet unsure what the post-injury Claudio Reyna will look like. The possibility does exist that injuries and age might take its toll on Reyna leaving him a less than great option for our first XI. All the skill in the world won't help Reyna much if he's slow getting forward and late getting back to defend. So I think it's best to have a very flexible view of what our personnel will look like.

One last thing, I'm guessing some here haven't seen a lot of him, but Richard Mulrooney is a fair bit more skilled than Armas and Mastroeni, with the knock on him being his size, speed and strength. He's much more the D-Mid who can get into attack, than the destroyer type like Armas or Mastroeni. No reason to think he's the answer there, but to fit into _specifically_ this strategy, he's the better option than A&M.

So I think narrowing down personnel for the plan at this point is premature. I like the plan, though.

[Bajoro]

Has Mathis fallen out of favor, or what?

Excellent post, Nutmeg.

I agree on the need for players who can take on responsibility of leading the attack from wherever they are. And that just because someone has great offensive skills, doesn't mean they can't or won't play D. It kills me the way players get labeled around here.

For instance, Donovan is perhaps the best defensive forward we have. Very underrated in this regard. No one puts more pressure on opposing goalies and backs, forcing mistakes and saving our d from pressure.

[appoo]

Originally posted by Bajoro
Has Mathis fallen out of favor, or what?

Excellent post, Nutmeg.

I agree on the need for players who can take on responsibility of leading the attack from wherever they are. And that just because someone has great offensive skills, doesn't mean they can't or won't play D. It kills me the way players get labeled around here.

Well for some reason people think skill is only for the offensive end. O'Brien, Reyna, Dolo, Pope, and Bocanegra have a lot of Defensive skill

[YanksFC]

Originally posted by Woodrow
Did you even watch the US v. Germany quarterfinal? Reyna played the game of his life, doing it on both ends.

Have you checked out Beasely and Convey recently? Those guys go endline to endline for 90.

Nutmeg is correct What is being proposed is to raise the standards higher and higher. This game is ultimately about scoring goals and none of the players mentioned is deficient as an all around soccer player. That is key.

Exactly. Those three guys have both offensive and defensive game. They're not one-dimensional like Armas (and I say that as a Chicago Fire fan).

[fluidsoccer]

Originally posted by Woodrow
Did you even watch the US v. Germany quarterfinal? Reyna played the game of his life, doing it on both ends.

Yeah I did and I loved his performance. However, if he does it at both ends in the "game of his life," will he be able to do it when he has an ordinary game? I think, and will continue to think, that we should play with a holding midfielder. Now this holding/D-mid doesn't have to be a thug, that's not what I'm saying, but he does have to be able to stop opposing team's playmakers such as Mastroeni vs. Blanco in WC02.

Also, Mastro has been labeled as a defensive midfielder because he is such a good defensive player. That doesn't mean he can't make a good pass or create something offensively. Mastro has skill.

On the d-mid note, I too am excited to see Rico's development.

[JimmieLivealot]

[i]What Bruce should do is think of every field position there and aski himself if this person has enough skill to make himself dangerous. If the answer is no, then that player shouldn't be playing [/B]

Nutmeg is right that during the Confed Cup we didn't have enough players capable of threatening the defense, which allowed the other teams to neutralize the attackers we do have.

And when everyone is available the U.S. is capable of fielding a very dangerous team. Guys like JOB, DMB, and even Convey posses the athleticism and skill to be solid two way players. The question is if say Reyna is out and JOB is needed to play center mid, should Arena follow your maxim and move Convey to left back and Martino and Lewis in the midfield, or start someone like Gibbs who would shore up the defense but keep a more skilled player on defense. I'd go with the second option as going all out attack would just result in us loosing in a more entertaining way.

[dred]

I'm still waiting for the Convey bandwagon to show me why he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as guys like DMB and Donovan. He doesn't do anything better than Donovan and Beasley is far superior defensively. And Convey's pace is way behind theirs.

To me he's just a young prospect who may one day be a USMNT first-teamer.

And yes, I do watch every game he plays.

[dlokteff]

The great thing about Nutmegs set of players is this... Nutmeg's formation:

-- McBride ---- Donovan
DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey
JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

Easily transfomed to...

3-5-2
--McBride-Donovan
------Martino----
---DMB-----Convey
-----JOB-Reyna---
--Boca--Pope--Dolo

How about those "dual destroyers"

3-6-1
---------McBride
-Convey-Donovan-Martino
---DMB----JOB----Reyna
---Boca---Pope----Dolo

Take that Steve Sampson

There are others, try it...

Skill must rule, or we will see more tournaments like this one..1 goal and out.

We do need 2 very strong central type defenders with these lineups. If Boca and Pope aren't available I'd be a bit gunshy.

[lurking]

Originally posted by JimmieLivealot
Nutmeg is right that during the Confed Cup we didn't have enough players capable of threatening the defense, which allowed the other teams to neutralize the attackers we do have.

I thought it had more to do with the fact that our players had a poor understanding of one another and poor working relationships in the tournament. I think the raw tools were on the field most of the time, but they didnt seem to know how they wanted to attack the defense. We need to beat teams with off the ball runs, which just werent happening this tournament.

[fluidsoccer]

Originally posted by dlokteff
The great thing about Nutmegs set of players is this... Nutmeg's formation:

-- McBride ---- Donovan
DMB – Kmart – Reyna – Convey
JOB – Boca – Pope – Dolo

Easily transfomed to...

3-5-2
--McBride-Donovan
------Martino----
---DMB-----Convey
-----JOB-Reyna---
--Boca--Pope--Dolo

.

Amen on that 3-5-2! That is one of the better line-ups I've seen, JOB and Reyna together could definitely take on the defensive responsibilities together, making it difficult for oppsing teams' a-mids to attack, and once they (JOB Reyna) get the ball, a good decision will surely follow. I suppose if Bruce isn't going to have one holding/defensive midfielder, having two mids in front of the 3 man backline is a good option.