Pre-match: USA vs Portugal, June 22nd

That bolded part is a big IF...and from observations over the past few weeks, he's not...physically or mentally. He's got 5 days to get it right.

I think we're going to see classic Klinsi Rope-a-Dope...especially given the location and the circumstances of Portugal's last match.

 

Agreed. I should have said I cringe at the thought of wondo being the best option.

 

I really like this lineup for the future but I just don't know if you mess with a backline that finally looks to have some cohesion.

 

Looks like Patricio is likely out too.

http://www.fpf.pt/Notícias/Notícia/Id/4339/Cat/753/highlight/1/caller/56/Selecao-A-Boletim-Clinico

 

The 3-5-2/5-3-2 looks are interesting. But I'd still go like this, early frustration of Portugal being the goal.

--------------Howard--------------(Again, I prefer Guzan, but it ain't happening)
FJ---Cameron---Besler--DMB (If Besler is healhty, if not, Brooks)
--Bradley--Beckerman--Jones---
------Bedoya-----Diskerud------
--------------Dempsey------------

 

I believe DiMaria and Adu were unveiled as new signings and arrived at Benfica at the same time. I remember video of them going through a crowd of reporters at the airport, but I could be wrong.

 

And maybe in a few years we'll know who had the better career...

 

Can we really rule Jozy out for this game? AFAIK, nothing official has come out that states that he is definitely out. That could be Klinsmann's gamesmanship, and it could be me being overly optimistic, but I'm not willing to say he's out until USSF releases something official.

It is nice to know that Pepe, Coentrão and Almeida are out for Portugal, and that Ronaldo looked like crap versus Germany.

 

Jozy is going to pull a Willis Reed.

 

It would be shocking if Jozy can play in this game. The way he pulled up was reminiscent of the June 2011 US-Jamaica Gold Cup match when he pulled up with a hammy in the first 10 minutes. Basically took him until the start of the season to where he could play again which is about a Grade II.

 

I don't know what grade it is, but that's some type of muscle tear. I don't know how long it will be before he's back, except that it definitely won't be in time for the Portugal match. Almost certainly not before the Germany match, either. Hopefully he plays again to help us win a knockout game or two.

 

Let's just beat Portugal without Jozy, he can rest through Germany and then be back for R of 16.

 

I've seen a lot of people suggesting that Besler and JAB should play together at CB with Cameron at RB and FJ at LB. I like the idea, but Klinsmann said that Gonzalez is the back up RCB and Brooks is the back up LCB, so I think its unlikely that we will see Besler and Brooks play together.

 

It'd be awesome if it was just a severe cramp Lebron style for Jozy

 

Well to be fair to those posters, Klinsmann says a lot of things so don't be surprised if it happens.

 

No- Portugal do not play two dedicated forwards. Don't play a 3/5 man back-line against a single 9.

 

I can only hope we play as well as Mexico today. Need to see some actual possession and chances.

 

Due to the weather conditions, this game is going to be a grind. Fortunately it seems the US seems to be full of grinders.

 

I hope not. I'm full of grinder right now, and it's making me sleepy. I can't imagine trying to play soccer like this.

 

I will suggest something a little different:

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

Fabian------Brooks/Besler ------Cameron------Beasley

-------------------Jones---------Beckerman-------------

----Zusi-----------------Bradley----------------Mix-----

---------------------Dempsey----------------------------

 

4 and counting....RT @MisterChiping After Brazil's tie today, the US has the longest winning streak of any national team in the world.

— Brian Straus (@BrianStraus) June 17, 2014

 

I could live with this.

 

The recovery time from hamstring injuries is measured in weeks, not days. He's done for the group stage minimum unless the injury was misdiagnosed which seems pretty unlikely. He could easily be out through the final if it's severe.

 

Rui Patricio possibly out:

As if it couldn't get any worse for Portugal, @_GoncaloLopes says GK Rui Patricio is injured too. That's 3 of back 5 cld be out v USA

— Ben Lyttleton (@benlyt) June 16, 2014

 

Building from the back...

1) I think the back 4 remain the same
2) I think Beckerman remains as a holding midfielder, particularly against a 3-man midfield
3) Jones, Bradley, Dempsey are all on the field somewhere

For the rest of the team...
4) I think Diskerud will see the field at some point, as we need more support in possession (particularly in an even hotter/more humid environment)
5) I love Bedoya's work-rate on defense, but not sure about his fitness level after yesterday
6) I'd like to test Portugal's backline with Coentrao and Pepe out...with that in mind, I don't see Dempsey leading the line. No idea if Johannsson would look better as a match-up or Wondolowski
7) I'm assuming Altidore is out for the group stage

I'm leaning toward:

-----------------Best striker--------
-------Dempsey---------------------
----------------Bradley-------Zusi--
-------Jones-----------------------
-------------Beckerman-----------
Beasley-Besler-Cameron-Johnson
--------------Howard-------------

Bedoya for Zusi at some point
Diskerud for somebody
Reactive third sub for whoever needs it the most