DMB and Tim Howard to be called: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ey-set-return-usmnt-friendlies-vs-peru-brazil
Yeah, that's life at the new Wembley, where they'll need to constantly stage events for years in order to pay the place off. Wasn't the case at the old Wembley; that pitch was always immaculate.
If the objective is to win. GK: Howard RB: Yedlin CB: Cameron CB: Besler LB: Ream DM: Jones DM: Bradley RM: Bedoya LM: Zardes SS: Johannsson CF: Altidore
Dempsey returns. Especially against an opponent the stature of Brazil, he's vastly superior to Johannsson. Johannsson's lack of speed even killed some attacks against Peru. On that sweet flick by Altidore he should have been 1 v. 1 with the keeper, but he couldn't cut the angle, and instead just sent in a meek, sharp angle cross/shot. Bedoya can piss off. We need some flair ahead of Bradly and Jones/Cameron. Mix is a necessarily evil in this squad. I have nightmares thinking of Douglas Costa running at and pressuring Tim Ream. That could be an absolute disaster of the highest order. Zardes is tactically sound, has some defensive instincts, and physical ability. In lieu of a real LB, why not just use him as a wing back/LW, and then have Cameron or Jones on his side covering for him when he ventures forward? Plus put Brooks as an LCB and his aggression in charging at perimeter players could pay off. I'm thinking of something like this: --------Dempsey-------Altidore -------------------Mix------------- Zardes----------------Bradley --------------Cameron-----------Yedlin --------Brooks----Besler---Jones ------------------Guzan------------
I didn't know Dempsey was returning, but yeah I'd definitely put him in the lineup. Actually, I'd keep that front two the same as I had, and place Dempsey where you have Mix. Let Dempsey be the #10. Why not for once just put a creative attacking lineup on the field? Centrally in the middle of the field, we usually play too many defensive midfielders and not enough attacking midfielders. I agree about the wing backs and I don't really think Guzan/Howard really makes a big difference although I prefer Howard. The only difference is the #6 and the back three. I think Jones as a center-back is a really bad idea. He's played really bad at the center-back position before, often showing terrible discipline and trying to do way too much dribbling out of the back. He also really struggles aerially. In theory, his skill-set might be ideal for the position, but he just doesn't play it well. As much as I prefer Cameron as the #6, I think the difference between him at center-back compared to the other options (besides Besler who already should have a spot locked up) and him at the #6 compared to Jones is bigger, so I'd prefer him at center-back. Not sure I'd be ready to put Brooks in a big game yet. Move Besler to the left and insert Gonzalez who could play very well if and probably when we bunker against Mexico.
Jones was in the middle of the 3-man back line b4. Here he'd be on the right. So you can more tolerate him drifting out wide and he'd have momentum to clear corners in the air. Cameron is almost as prone to a mental lapse at CB as the next guy. You can tolerate them much better at CDM, and he can get forward occasionally on the ball with hero runs, which he's good at. Besler is really the only member of the regular CB's who doesn't usually have at least one significant mental lapse in a game. Always got that antenna up. I suspect we could put a 2nd one on the field in Miazga, maybe a 3rd in Hedges, but that's something we'll have to find out later, hopefully in the qualifiers, and not Cupcake. Gonzalez will still get his chance off the bench, after starting last night. At this point, the further Dempsey gets away from goal, the worse it is for his effectiveness. He's a world class poacher still. That's primarily what he brings to the table, and some subtle move or interplay in a limited amoutn of space. It's not covering ground, making through balls, and precision shooting from distance. Those through balls that Mix played last night, Dempsey could not contribute those. He'd put his head down, fiddle, and turn the ball over. The team I put together, I like their chances to at least not get murdered in possession. Maybe more like 40/60 instead of 30/70. Possession is defense too in football.
Watching the Revs game now. Pitch seems a little slow and not much bounce but overall, not bad. They will have divots to repair but I have seen much worse.
Will be there on Tuesday. The Imp of the Perverse would enjoy seeing how Brasil would handle the regular turf at the Razor..... oh well.
Largely off-topic, but: USSoccer at one point had a video comparison of Keller v. Brazil and Meola v. England, a 2-0 US win from I think 1994 (which was played at the old Foxboro stadium, if I recall). Frankly, Meola's stoning of the Three Lions was more impressive. (sorry I'm not more tech inclined or I'd try to find the video and post it...)
As starters, the Cameron-Besler CB combo has a 5-1-1 record marred only by the Ireland match, in which an out of form Besler should not have played. Jamaica(2-0)WCQ, Azerbaijan(2-1)Frdly, Turkey(2-1)Frdly, Nigeria(2-1)Frdly, Ghana(2-1)WC, Portugal(2-2)WC, Ireland(1-4)Frndly
Anybody watch the Costa Rica-Brazil game? You can tell this is a Dunga team. Despite outplaying Costa-Rica, Brazil also out-fouled Costa Rica 19 to 7. This Brazil is a very physical and cynical on defense, constantly committing tactical fouls. They also got away with one to two uncalled PKs and CR had a legit goal called back for a non-existent offside (as did Brazil later in the match). No way does that Jozy/Peru pk get called against Brazil. Costa Rica looked pretty good considering the opposition. Their keeper did not punt the ball once. They played every ball out of the back on the ground and moved past Brazil's press fairy well with a combination of fluid passing and dribbling. Bryan Ruiz would then receive the ball near midfield, turn to make something happened, and immediately be fouled. I will be interested to see if we are able to move to ball upfield as well as CR did.
Michael Bradley, Jordan Morris, Sean Johnson added to USMNT for Brazil game. Matt Besler, William Yarbrough released. Dempsey not yet 100%.— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) September 6, 2015