The Formation

[Prime Time]

As the subs came onto the pitch tonight, it took me a little while to see what formation the Americans were using. I finally figured it out with about 10-12 minutes remaining, and Ives confirmed it on his blog.

78th minute- This is what we're seeing now with Adu in the game:

-----------------------Altidore------------------------

--------------Donovan------------Adu-----------------

--------Torres---------Bradley--------Dempsey-------

Beasley----Bocanegra----Onyewu-------Cherundolo

-----------------------Howard--------------------------

Now that is an attacking formation. Could that be the starting lineup for World Cup 2010?

I know (some) people want to see Marvell Wynne at RB, some want to see Kenny Cooper, some want a different CB such as Jay DeMerit, Michael Parkhurst, Maurice Edu etc. Regardless, this looks like a promising lineup and although I am not fond of Starting XI/Formation threads, what would you think of that line-up?

I like it. I think Dempsey may be a little too withdrawn, but it could turn out to be a good position for him. If Dempsey can't handle playing there, you could see Sacha slide in.

What do you think? Agree or disagree?

Either way, a very good game tonight for our boys. Enjoy it guys. :)

[Marko72]

As the subs came onto the pitch tonight, it took me a little while to see what formation the Americans were using. I finally figured it out with about 10-12 minutes remaining, and Ives confirmed it on his blog.



I know (some) people want to see Marvell Wynne at RB, some want to see Kenny Cooper, some want a different CB such as Jay DeMerit, Michael Parkhurst, Maurice Edu etc. Regardless, this looks like a promising lineup and although I am not fond of Starting XI/Formation threads, what would you think of that line-up?

I like it. I think Dempsey may be a little too withdrawn, but it could turn out to be a good position for him. If Dempsey can't handle playing there, you could see Sacha slide in.

What do you think? Agree or disagree?

Either way, a very good game tonight for our boys. Enjoy it guys. :)

I'll echo your last line.

[SSSpeer]

I thought tonight we were too narrow at times. The formation you suggest may just make the problem worse. Dempsey is going to constantly want to turn infield and he struggles with crossing.

Sacha may be an improvement from that, but dont think he has the pace for outside.

I don't know Torres enough to say he could or couldnt. Tonight, however he looked best in the middle. You gotta have Beaze on the field.

[DaMa]

As the subs came onto the pitch tonight, it took me a little while to see what formation the Americans were using. I finally figured it out with about 10-12 minutes remaining, and Ives confirmed it on his blog.



I know (some) people want to see Marvell Wynne at RB, some want to see Kenny Cooper, some want a different CB such as Jay DeMerit, Michael Parkhurst, Maurice Edu etc. Regardless, this looks like a promising lineup and although I am not fond of Starting XI/Formation threads, what would you think of that line-up?

I like it. I think Dempsey may be a little too withdrawn, but it could turn out to be a good position for him. If Dempsey can't handle playing there, you could see Sacha slide in.

What do you think? Agree or disagree?

Either way, a very good game tonight for our boys. Enjoy it guys. :)


DMB was up pretty high most of the time. It was pretty fluid but looked more like a 3 man back line with Clint pushed up a bit higher so he wand Jozy were in front of LD and Adu who were in front of Torres and Bradley.

DMB seemed to indicate in the post game that Clint was positioned higher as well.

[Maitreya]

I think this lineup is our best attempt at playing very nice soccer; it is like our attempt to play as Spain did last summer. I like the formation. My personnel quibble is with M Bradley in the Marcos Senna role: I don't think Mike sucks, but I remain nervous about him because of the cards he consistently earns.

[Neuwerld]

DMB was up pretty high most of the time. It was pretty fluid but looked more like a 3 man back line with Clint pushed up a bit higher so he wand Jozy were in front of LD and Adu who were in front of Torres and Bradley.

DMB seemed to indicate in the post game that Clint was positioned higher as well.

Yeah, I saw it as a 3-5-2, as Torres was always inside Beasley on the left. If he was supposed to be a LB, he was sure playing like a LM.

[ChrisSSBB]

Yeah, I saw it as a 3-5-2, as Torres was always inside Beasley on the left. If he was supposed to be a LB, he was sure playing like a LM.

When Torres came on, Beas moved to LB and was getting instructions from Boca at times. Torres was pinched in. Beas and Dolo were both pushing up the flanks every chance they had. Good time to try it out with the lead the US had and Cuba 1 man down.

Might not be a bad formation for the US due to the lack of true wingers. According to people who watch Mexican league, Torres is more comfortable in the middle that outside. Looks like the US may have an abundance of CM's vs OM's, so why not try the AC Christmas Tree?

[narko]

DMB seemed to indicate in the post game that Clint was positioned higher as well.

Very much so...

DMB said that they moved Dempsey up top with Ching.

[Marko72]

When Torres came on, Beas moved to LB and was getting instructions from Boca at times. Torres was pinched in. Beas and Dolo were both pushing up the flanks every chance they had. Good time to try it out with the lead the US had and Cuba 1 man down.


Ditto. The fullbacks were pushing forward so much they read more like the wide guys in a 352 than anything. Even the CD's were way forward, Gooch's goal came in the run of play out of a slow build-up. How often do you see that?

I like it and I don't. We just saw why it can work so beautifully in theory. The problem is in order to get any width and open up seams, the fullbacks have gotta spend a lot of time going forward, which leaves you pretty well exposed. Not that we really had to worry today against a rather pitiful squad playing with 10. That was some nice, fluid football.