Well he's dropped overseas players Timmy Chandler, Lynden Gooch, Ethan Horvath, William Yarbrough, Julian Green and Cameron Carter-Vickers, none of which we'll miss. Arena said he thought Bradley played well against Serbia, though I couldn't see it but maybe he'll play in a different role. I agree about Bedoya, Orozco and Gonzales. I think Dempsey and Morris will play up front as Arena may not have the love affair with Altidore that his predecessor had. I think Pulisic will be on the bench unfortunately.
LOL. If Klinsmann had made these selections this place would have gone ballistic. Anyway, my one real concern with Bruce is the same one I had back in 2006. That he would ride all of the old nags he knows. I understand he thinks he needs experience in these 2 must win qualifiers, but there are several selections that if carried forward will not end well for this team. Hopefully he can cobble together a squad that can get these 6 points, but.....
One question before my 2¢: is Lichaj injured or not? I see posts claiming both sides. /lazy/ My first reaction is that Bruce seems to be relying on the attacking productivity of Johnson and Pulisic a great deal more than I prefer. I give the roster a C/C-minus, even given the condition that any coach put in charge part-way through the WCQ process has their hands tied. That said, Bruce can swing that grade two letters in either direction depending on who he starts, how he deploys his players, and how well they demonstrate an understanding of their roles. I am more skeptical than psyched.
Lichaj came off injured in Nottingham's most recent match. Another injured player is Beasley, who missed the last Houston match, but I suspect that he is good to go if Arena called him up.
Yeah, I would prefer 4-1-4-1 as well, just don't see Bruce pulling the trigger on benching Jozy and the last thing I want to see is him up top alone again, so he and wood seems almost a sure thing. I am not opposed to calling BF or SK and am surprised they are left off alltogether, I just meant they are not, never have been and never will be good enough specifically for the role of attacking CM to Bradleys defensive CM. What is the alternative, keep providing him a bunch of cover, playing more DMs next to him, screwing up the whole team, ruining the spacing and balance, paralyzing the attack and dropping points? Why do we need to keep holding his hand, he is either our 6 or he isn't.
Agree, but will take it further: Pulisic will start before anyone starts because he's the best player on the squad and might now be the best U.S. player thus far. Eventually, he will be.
It just depends on the tactics. You don't have to have speed as much if you're not using you backs for width as much.
Acosta potentially deserves to be starting right now with Jones suspended. Who would you play in MF ahead of him? Bradley and???
Although US fans generally have focused on Bradley and/or Jones as the problems, IMO striker play has been a big reason that 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 formations haven't really worked for the US. The 1 in these formations has mostly, but not always, been Altidore. Bobby Wood creates possibilities, IMO. He's the first American striker that is even remotely successful in a major European league in a 1-striker formation since the 1990s. If I remember correctly, Fulham generally played 2 striker formation with McBride, while Altidore at AZ was playing a 4-3-3, which is not comparable. Altidore is still a starter for me in any 2 striker formation, however.
Pulisic isn't an 8 and neither is Nagbe. I'd like to see Pulisic and Nagbe both start as well, I just think Acosta is in very good form currently.
He can be, potentially, but I don't think he is. He doesn't have the defensive bite. I'd play him more advanced or as an outside mid.
I don't think you have to have that bite with a 6 behind him. You can defend with tactics and numbers This also Honduras and panama - against a top team you prob go with three man mid with two dmids
Ugh. I have having trouble crafting a winning lineup. Forcing cameron to CB really reduces options for RB and DM.
Yes. He's the best player in the team, he's played best on the wing and so he should play there for us. The rest of the lineup should have to be organized with respect to that locked starter.