Pre-match: USA @ Ukraine. March 5th 2014 *CANCELLED* ...or maybe not

Well, now that this game is back on, I'll give my XI:

------------------Altidore-------------------
--AJ------------Dempsey-----------Bedoya
--------------Jones-Williams---------------
F.Johnson---Brooks-Onyewu---Cameron
-----------------Howard---------------------

Seeing how FJ and Cameron will likely start as our 2 fullbacks for us in the WC, I want to see them there this game. It would also give us a chance to see AJ at LW. Our wing positions aren't really set right now, so I'd like to see how he shows there. Besides that, the close battles seem to be Kljestan vs Williams at CM, and Packwood vs Onyewu at CB. I want Williams to get the start because his athleticism and youth might be enough to edge him past Beckerman as our back up DM if he has a good showing here. I don't really see Kljestan beating out Mix at this point for our back up #8. Packwood might have a good upside, but he's more of a project for 2018. Give Onyewu a chance to beat out Goodson as our senior CB.

With all the politics surrounding this game, I'm on the side that thinks Ukraine is going to come out to put up a fight. These are athletes after all - the situation back home is going to give them something to fight for. They're not just going to keel over.

 

Thats about right. I'd like to see how AJ, Jozy and Clint work on the field together. I don't think AJ/CD is an either/or proposition.

 

What I would like to see:

Jones get tested at centerback
Gooch get one last shot
Cam and Fabian get the nod at fullback as they are likely starters in June.
A priority placed on getting good service in to Altidore.

 

Ukrainian team united despite turmoil at home

 

Really? I agree with the rest of your post but this seems pretty ridiculous. Jones' 2 worst faults are probably his lack of willingness to keep defensive position when playing DM, and his aggressive mistimed tackles. Neither of those make me want to test him at CB, especially this close to the WC.

 

Well, when you want to throw a Molotov cocktail in comfort and look good doing it nothing works better than the new Nike USA kits.

 

Jones played well for Schalke at CB.

 

I just want to see Yulia rocking one.

 

Friedel said USMNT weakness is the backline.

 

He played a total of 1 game ever vs. Bremen two years ago. He was tried there last pre-season and it didn't work out. Brooks, Goodson, Besler, Omar, Cameron, Onyewu, Packwood, Orozco, Parkhurst are all ahead of him

 

The team nominated him Captain obvious.

 

Jones was good in a league match and was perhaps not good in preseason.We're not taking 3 backup CBs to the Cup. With Cameron in the team perhaps only one will be taken. If Jones can be that 4/5 option then great. Can't be any worst than Beasley and Evans at fullback.

 

Besler and Omar will be on the WC squad and probably Brooks and Goodson...that's it. Cameron will be there as well. If we have 5 CB's go down then thats just really really bad luck, but the chances of that happening are slim. So yes, Jermaine at that point would be our 6th CB.

 

Lingering questions ...

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/lingering-questions-ukraine.html

 

Pretty concerning. Jones, Dempsey and Altidore are 3/5th's of that "spine".

 

Doubt Klinsmann will take two backup CBs.

 

"When I was in China on the All-American Ping Pong Team, I just loved playing ping pong with my Flexolite Ping Pong Paddle."

 

Keller says US keepers are bald

 

Okay so lets say he takes Besler Brooks Cameron and Omar...Jones is still the 5th backup in that case.

 

Photos from Cyprus training:

http://isiphotos.photoshelter.com/g...arch-4-2014/G0000mn9pueB1Wko/C0000et20KcdjljE

 

Oh Specs, how I've missed thee:

http://isiphotos.photoshelter.com/g...mn9pueB1Wko/I0000zWX2xv70RSg/C0000et20KcdjljE

 

Well, his hair has gotten bigger since his last cap. I feel like I can say this, since I'm also a member of the tribe, but he's truly got a Jewfro in that pic.

 

It was time for Ives to write a post so he wrote a post.

This friendly will tell us virtually nothing. In fact, the danger is that people will take it seriously, like Empress Catherine inspecting a Potemkin village.

 

At least you're offering those lessons for free.

 

I don't think Young Mr. Green was on the flight to Cyprus. I don't see him in the team photos.