Pre-match: PBP/Post: 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup; USA vs New Zealand. June 1st at 7 AM (ET)

We need our best player (EPB) player where he will have the biggest impact. In an elimination game, we can't try fooling around with that.

As I mentioned in my last post, no player can cover the whole midfield as a #6. EPB will not be able to shut down every single attack that happens in midfield. There is simply too much space on the field for that to happen. But, he can shut down attacks once the actions are taken to make a cross into the box, a pass into the box, an attempted dribble in the box. He can stop New Zealand from getting good chances, if he's playing centrally at CB. At DM, he can do a very good job turning play the opposite way when New Zealand has the ball in our attacking third, but he will not be able to limit the quality of chances New Zealand gets as much as he would as a CB.

 

When pigs fly...

 

I think you underestimate EPB. I happen to be someone who doesn't like the 4 man back line with a dedicated 6 because I don't think there are many who can play the position. For example, Bradley isn't good enough to play the 6 for USMNT. Nobody is. That is why I prefer a 3 man back line. I saw EPB as somebody who could play the 6. Jones is out for the NZ game. We don't have a midfield. EPB is a great dmid at this level.

With Jones out, who do you have as dmid? Adams?

 

I have never seen a #6 who can cover the ground required east to west in a 30 yard segment of the field to completely suppress the other team from getting in position to create quality scoring chances. If that player exists, they will be the best defensive midfielder ever. I think EPB could do most of that, but he inevitably won't be able to completely do so, and I worry that the back line with a shift RB, LB, along with a completely new CB pairing and a bad goalie will be susceptible to giving up two or three goals, even if its only on 4 or 5 quality chances. OTOH, I think New Zealand might get into more positions to create chances if EPB isn't at the #6, but I think the chances will be of a way lower quality with EPB at CB. If we can limit them to only like one or two good chances from the run of play, we should be okay. I'd have Williamson come in for Jones.

 

Been preaching it in these threads since the tourney started. Still believe it's the right move:

LW Saucedo
ST Sargent
RW Lennon
LWB Acosta
CM Adams
CM de la Torre
RWB Williamson
CB Glad
CB EPB
CB Redding
GK Klinsmann

CB's are the strength of this team. Use them

 

Unless they have practiced and tested a 3 man backline in qualifying well enough to make it work they should avoid just a radical change but this roster is built for one.

 

Just because it seems like a good idea in theory doesn't mean its easily replicable in practice. US youth teams have stood by the 4-3-3 because it encourages player development, and I seriously doubt Tab has spent a single second trying to implement of 3 at the back formation with the current U20s.

Klinsmann got lambasted for playing in a back 3 against Mexico because his players weren't prepared, and now you guys are suggesting it like we're playing a FIFA career mode.

 

"The U.S. should switch to a three-back system" is right there with "All our young players must be sent to Holland by any means necessary," "We are just one dumb coach and a few bench players away from winning every match 9-0" and "American soccer is at a crossroads" on the list of Songs As Old As Time...

 

It's amazing how many people don't understand this. We went over the same thing last year.

This is not FIFA 17 or Football Manager. Developing a system takes time. Lots of time. Particularly for young inexperienced players who do not represent the pinnacle of the sport.

 

----------Sargent
----DLT----------Lennon
-----------Saucedo-----
-----Williamson--------
Acosta------EPB-----Adams
---------Glad----Redding--------
-----------Klinsmann-------------

 

Who knows? With the way that ref acted in the previous game, who knows what will happen here?

Will the USA have to play with only 7 or 8 players? The US players should certainly be on guard for any strange behavior by the referee as a result.

 

Asking too much of Adams.

 

You'd be fried because the cm's become key and we don't have any.

 

2 in the back?! The good ol 2-3-1-1-2-1

 

Is anyone elses TV guide showing France vs Italy on Thursday morning and not the usa game?

 

I believe in the Ecuador game Williamson played the 6 next to Zelalem. So, he should be ok as a replacement.

 

Really? Glad played much better during the qualifiers, during the WC he was exposed a few times. Currently, his game has a few holes to even be considered a "national teamer"

 

Yes, really. He's only played a half + cameo out of position in the WC, and is coming off a significant injury. That doesn't constitute a strike against him. The sample in qualifying + his early MLS play are both arguments in his favor and the most substantial ones either way thus far in his career.

 

What? It worked for them.

 

Yeah my directv schedule shows the France -Italy game on BOTH Fox Sports 1 and 2. Pretty sure thats an error. Our game is on one of those channels, and I suspect its Fox Sports 1.

 

My Comcast guide says exactly that. Can't believe that they would show that instead of the US game, but who knows/

 

I am sure it must be an error. Don't lose sleep over it.

 

Too late. I've lost sleep since this tourney started at 3:50am

 

It's not an error. It's just not updated with the group F results.

 

Tab was part of the team that wrote the USSF DA curriculum, of which one component is that teams are recommended to play a 4 man backline.

I see a slim to no chance we all of a sudden implement a 3 man backline at the World Cup. I can't remember us playing it once this cycle. That would be putting the boys in a pretty bad position in a do-or-die knockout game.

We're not playing France here. We're playing New Zealand. We can plug in the holes with other guys and be fine. We should also be able to be a little more adventurous in terms of our midfield as our backline will be solid...............and we're playing New Zealand. For instance, we don't need to start both Adams and EPB in the midfield.

I personally would like Tab to start Brooks Lennon at right back just to see Giggsy come on the board to say "HA! I told you so!"