Ha. I wondered if he'd show up in their program ever. All I needed to do was twitter - or ask @Lookingforleftbacks - thanks!
Besler and Gonzo played exactly as mandated by Bruce's tactical scheme. They played as defend first/safety first CBs. The scheme requires: They don' try to initiate offense out of the back. They don't try to aggressively take space off the dribble. They don't try to provide offensive overload support. They don't provide high press/high pressure. They don't try to aggressively challenge, attack and disrupt the opposition on transition. They try to never get beat over the top. This was especially clear vs Panama! There is nothing wrong with the above tactical plan, it is just the scheme that Bruce chooses to play and that is what we saw against Panama.
Awesome! It seems like our tactical plan has improved since the 90s. Looking forward to World Cup next year.............oh yeah, sarcasm.
Just as an FYI, it appears programming has swapped. This game will be on FS1, with Saturday's being on FXX. My understanding is that all the knockout round games will be on FS1
Not sure why some people want to sit a hot striker... I would do something like this. --------------------Dwyer-------------------- ---Morris--------Rowe--------Arriola--- ------------Acosta----McCarty------------ Villafana--Hedges--Beasler--Bedoya --------------------Guzan-------------------- Since we are trying things out I propose Bedoya at right back
2-1 victory!! Starting Zusi tonight is not recommended, IMO. Perfect option to sub into a game if we are stale on offense and tied or behind. Will be great watching Dwyer again control, frustrate and SCORE against any defense they mark him with; it just frees up Morris or Agudelo for the square pass. I see this as a must get three points effort game, making the 3rd game a scrimmage for Arena. Start Guzan don't mess with keepers tonight. Any player chosen tonight for the center back line will work just fine, provided we have a midfield that can keep possession by way of ZERO unforced turnovers/passing errors. Midfield is key. Must FEED DWYER!!!! Long Live Preki!
Not sure why someone would want to sit arguably our best performing prospect in MLS this season (Roldan) for the 3rd straight game, and start McCarty again against speed, when it's an opponent we should be expected to beat, and when he + Acosta together had trouble building up last game. You shouldn't be acting like the voice of reason when you're suggesting things like that, not only playing Bedoya but at rb where he's been a horror show in limited opportunities w/ the U.S. (in the process tethering the Nottingham Forest player of the year to the bench), keeping Hamid on the bench still for Guzan who we know, and putting Besler + Hedges on the opposite sides of their strong feet.
The only reason would be the need to rest him a little. But it might make more sense to rest him against Nicaragua who are now down 2-1 to Panama in 2nd half. I think the kind of heat in Nashville is more brutal than the heat in Tampa, just from personal experience. Appalachian July days at noontime really suck it out of you. Tampa may be hot but I think it is more comfortable to play in and the game starts later. Maybe it's the ocean air.
I found Tampa more brutal than Nashville. It was muggy as f**k (but DC was the worst I've experienced in the States in summer). Obviously timing matters.
That time again! Introducing our starting XI for #USAvMTQ at #GoldCup2017.Lineup notes: https://t.co/tRu5wI63Mq pic.twitter.com/4TsE06Wy2p— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 13, 2017
Brian Straus has a new theory here. Apparently Acosta and Dax need "support" and he suggests changing the team around to accommodate them. Acosta and Dax McCarty struggled, but absent the arrival of knockout-stage reinforcements like Michael Bradley or Darlington Nagbe, the pair remains a strong bet to start. They need more support, though. Joe Corona wasn’t able to connect with the pair against Panama, and bringing the likes of Bedoya or Kelyn Rowe inside or starting Paul Arriola might help the USA in possession. https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/07/11/usa-martinique-gold-cup-bruce-arena-lineup
????? --------Morris--agudelo---- Zardes---------------------Arriola ---------Roldan--Acosta--- Morrow-hedges-Gonzo-lichaj ---------------Guzan--------------
Brian Strauss is an idiot. He wants to sacrifice creativity for more 'support'? Smh. We lack attacking ability already, and he wants to replace one of our few attacking players with somebody like Bedoya, who can't beat a player 1v1 or play a decent through ball to save his life.
Washington DC is brutal in July. I lived there. The problem is that it is a valley and the Potomac throws off the humidity. The thing is that Tampa has the ocean and Florida is flat..Humidity makes it feel hot. Hot dry, dusty air in the mountains can fool you.
Acosta claimed his first two victims in Corona (winner Mex league title) and Dax (MLS East leader, plays wirth Schweinsteiger). I feel for poor Roldan. He's next. p.s. edit: I see Arriola is back for a second try. Maybe Acosta can finish him off here.