US vs Honduras: Likely Line-up & Formation
Posted on February 5, 2013 7:25 am
FROM THE STRAIGHT RED CARD
I’ve been wrong before (not by much–and that’s just not my ego talking–JK is fairly predictable!), but I’m about 90% on picking Jurgen’s starting line-ups for the show (The Straight Red Card).
The 4-3-3 will also look a lot like a 4-5-1, as usual. It would be surprising, with all players available, if Jones, Bradley and Williams don’t start in some form of a rotating middle triangle 3, with Dempsey and Zusi/Gomez pinching in from the wings.
The biggest adjustments to my picks could happen if Klinsmann decides (once again) that Altidore doesn’t deserve a shot up top as a starter. If he doesn’t, expect Gomez up there. If Altidore shows well in practice, expect Zusi or Gomez to start up the wing.
Dempsey could play a 2nd Striker role, but it won’t likely be as a real 2nd striker, but as a pinched in winger from the left side. As usual, he’ll spend plenty of time having the freedom during possession to do whatever he wants, but will drop back on defense–predominantly on the left side.
I would be shocked if JK doesn’t play Jones, Bradley and Williams in the middle, which is why I picked this formation. Williams will play mostly in front of the back 4 during defensive stages of the game UNLESS Klinsmann agains allows Bradley to play the more holding/possession role, which would again throw a monkey-wrench in my picks. But wouldn’t it be nice to see Bradley freed up to move forward with Jones on the counter-attack knowing Williams is back there to sure things up?
For those who are sure Bocanegra should be thrown overboard for Gonzalez: don’t expect it to happen in game one of the Hex. Gonzalez is the future, sure, but to start this scary Hex, I forsee the Cameron and Bocanegra partnership that Jurgen is most comfortable with. Don’t expect Klinsmann to go experimenting with a new Cameron and Gonzalez qualifying partnership for the first game of the WCQ.
2-1, US.
Article by Derek Richey
Works for me. From your lips to Herr Klinsmann’s ears. Go USA!
Would like to see Bradley drop into the #6 and swap out Williams for Sasha up top of the triangle. Slightly more offensive.
You really think we’ll beat Honduras in Honduras?
I’m hoping for a tie.
autogolazzo: I’m trying to stay positive!
Though, I will take a tie…
I like this lineup and will also be satisfied with 1 point.
Derek, you may be right about the formation. If history has shown us anything you have been right more often then not. But i’m concerned with playing a 4-3-3, well, anytime. Regardless of manager, our 4-3-3′s never pan out. Last time we tried it in Jamaica we got thumped. Our midfield simply gets too exposed. However, we are lacking in depth at the wings, so perhaps we’ll see this or Williams playing as a “winger”.
I guess having Johnson and Chandler run along the wings could certainly help out on defensive duties of our midfield. GOing to be interesting to say the least
pretty dumb i think.
Jones Bradley and Williams are all defensive mids, Bradley is box to box sure but none are a #10 that we need to spark some sort of creativity to attack, OBVIOUS against Canada. I would put Zusi or Torres in the middle to be a sorta #10
Holden back would be nice
We tried the “Torres as a #10″ early in JK’s tenure and our attack was stagnant.
You have to utilize the players available to you and quite simply put we have a #6 in Williams and two #8′s in Bradley and Jones.
One could say we could play a 4-5-1 with Dempsey at the “#10″ spot but even he doesnt play like it. Quite simply put, you have to play with what you have. If you put Zusi in the center, who do you put out wide?
I can appreciate your thinking JK would be “pretty dumb” for putting out this line-up, but suggesting Torres (proven failure as a #10 for the Nats so far), and Zusi (no track record at all as a #10 for the Nats) sounds risky and unproven. With our lack of wide players there is no way Zusi plays anything but outside unless something majestic and unholy happened in practice leading up to the game. Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever see Holden as a Nat ever again.
Oter: I hope we’re done seeing Williams play as a winger… You may not like a 4-3-3, but JK likes it
I just feel we’ll get exposed like we did at Jamaica. That was NOT an enjoyable match to watch
Big question Derek:
What do you think the chances are that K-Man is the first coach not to qualify since… I don’t know. Who was before Gansler?
We’ll make it. I’m shaky but sure.
You guys suck haha
Looks pretty likely. Can’t argue with Jozy’s club form. Hope he can keep it going with the Nats. Worry about Jones’ discipline. I could see going with Kljestan, but it probably won’t happen.
I’d play a 4-4-2. with a Beckerman/ Bradley combo at midfield. I think doubling up at the center mid position will help cover the weakness of the back our back 4. Also, if JK wants to get out of the hex in the top, he has to play Deuce and Alidore up top.
Well they tried a 4-4-2 in the second half and it was awful…
Klinsmann’s tactics in Central American qualifiers are awful. You could see this coming a mile away.
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