Dr Jay
24 Mar 2008, 08:22 AM
Having had a chance to watch the U23's play 5 competitive games, I thought it might be a good time to stimulate some discussion and to make a few broad BS-like generalizations on how the U23 players might change the call-ups, formation and tactics for upcoming qualification. Lets start with strikers - still our squads biggest problem.
First broad generalization: Freddy Adu is an impact player and should start to see significant senior team minutes. Aside from his ability to beat people 1 v 1 and his terrific vision, he is a finisher. Possibly even of greater significance is that he appears to be the most dangerous free kick specialist we have seen since Mathis.
Freddy downsides....he can't play defense. Though he put in some effort to win some balls, he really was ineffective. OK, you say...he wasn't asked to be a ball winner. Fair enough, but here is where it gets a little complicated. Where do you play Freddy if you are going to play Landon as well ? And since McBride retired from USMNT play, who is going to play forward with Freddy ?
"Altidore, of course" comes the shout from the BS masses !
Yeah, well maybe. But he didn't look like he was ready against CONCACAF U-23's. How is he going to do against the seniors ? I think the kid has all the tools to be our first world class striker but he isn't there yet. His biggest problem is off-the-ball. He does not anticipate the play well, starts his runs late, and seems confused on how and where to pressure the opponents when they have possession. Also, it seems to take him a good 30 mins to get into a game. In some games, his whole first half was useless.
Its really tempting to make Altidore a starter. Since McBride retired, we don't have anyone else who can play this role well. Dempsey (while doing better of late) really isn't a lone striker type and doesn't play back-to-goal well. Other than finishing facing the goal, its hard to know what EJ does well. And neither Ching nor Twellman (our depth at this position) have been able to show that they deserve to start.
My hope...BB continues to work the kid in slowly. Don't push him by starting him soon in qualifiers, especially as a lone striker. Look for our scoring from midfield.
Other strikers (Finley, Davies, Barrett) - nothing much to say. No real help here. Has Barrett ever played outside mid ? He has a good motor and put in a few crosses but the kid can't finish at all. None of these guys are ready to displace Ching, EJ, Twellman, etc.
Putting Adu at withdrawn striker and assuming a four-man backline...what does' BB's formation look like ? I'll have a go:
------------------------Dempsey---------------------
--------------------------------Adu------------------
Beasley (if well)-------------------------------------Donovan
-------------Bradley------------------Edu-------------
Four man backline
This line up has alot of speed on the outside, and some pretty skilled players as well, but physically, they could get punished. They better keep possession because they won't win alot of headers.
First broad generalization: Freddy Adu is an impact player and should start to see significant senior team minutes. Aside from his ability to beat people 1 v 1 and his terrific vision, he is a finisher. Possibly even of greater significance is that he appears to be the most dangerous free kick specialist we have seen since Mathis.
Freddy downsides....he can't play defense. Though he put in some effort to win some balls, he really was ineffective. OK, you say...he wasn't asked to be a ball winner. Fair enough, but here is where it gets a little complicated. Where do you play Freddy if you are going to play Landon as well ? And since McBride retired from USMNT play, who is going to play forward with Freddy ?
"Altidore, of course" comes the shout from the BS masses !
Yeah, well maybe. But he didn't look like he was ready against CONCACAF U-23's. How is he going to do against the seniors ? I think the kid has all the tools to be our first world class striker but he isn't there yet. His biggest problem is off-the-ball. He does not anticipate the play well, starts his runs late, and seems confused on how and where to pressure the opponents when they have possession. Also, it seems to take him a good 30 mins to get into a game. In some games, his whole first half was useless.
Its really tempting to make Altidore a starter. Since McBride retired, we don't have anyone else who can play this role well. Dempsey (while doing better of late) really isn't a lone striker type and doesn't play back-to-goal well. Other than finishing facing the goal, its hard to know what EJ does well. And neither Ching nor Twellman (our depth at this position) have been able to show that they deserve to start.
My hope...BB continues to work the kid in slowly. Don't push him by starting him soon in qualifiers, especially as a lone striker. Look for our scoring from midfield.
Other strikers (Finley, Davies, Barrett) - nothing much to say. No real help here. Has Barrett ever played outside mid ? He has a good motor and put in a few crosses but the kid can't finish at all. None of these guys are ready to displace Ching, EJ, Twellman, etc.
Putting Adu at withdrawn striker and assuming a four-man backline...what does' BB's formation look like ? I'll have a go:
------------------------Dempsey---------------------
--------------------------------Adu------------------
Beasley (if well)-------------------------------------Donovan
-------------Bradley------------------Edu-------------
Four man backline
This line up has alot of speed on the outside, and some pretty skilled players as well, but physically, they could get punished. They better keep possession because they won't win alot of headers.