Thats more of a product of our midfield and him staying up top by design more than anything else. He dropped back into the midfield in the 2nd half vs Brazil for the 1st time this tournament and he gave the Brazilians alot of trouble....he is the reason we got our goal and he came closest to scoring (twice) vs Brazil
Don't risk the Donovan and Beasley in this one -- they could use a rest. I would go with: Howard; Cherundolo (remember his problem is defending against physical players, Cameroon, not Brazil will test that), Calif, Boca, Gibbs (see if he can do another good game with out the ball flubs); Klein (look he shouldn't start much, but with injuries we will need him, so let's try to get his confidence back), Mastro, Martino, Lewis; Twellman, Cunningham. Go with Kirovski at O-mid in the second half and move Martino to the right to see how he does there. Convey at left mid just to spell Lewis. Give Boca a rest in the second half and let Gibbs or Vanney play in the middle.
I just got an email from Soccer America and Bruce said he was going to rest DMB and Donovan. He aslo said that Twellman had a virus (sinus infection) and wouldn't be available.
Twellman can not catch a break. The best service he has ever had in a Nats game was the 2 on 2 against NZ, and now, when he has a chance to play a game with people who will get him the ball, he gets sick. I kinda feel for the guy. He at least deserves as many shots as Kirovski has had.
I think they should try Martino. It would not hurt. Donovan and Beasley almost always play great. I think they have to try Martino with them.
Assuming LD, DMB, and Twellmen aren't avaliable. ------Hahnemann --Dolo-Boca-Gibbs-Vanney-- ----------Mastro-- --Klien----------- Convey-- ----------Martino-- ----Mathis------Cunningham--
I just posted this over at the Confed Cup board in the Fifa tournaments sections: "Just saw in a CNNSI article that Donovan, Beasley, and Berhalter (thank God) won't be playing tomorrow. What kind of starting lineup do you think that suggests? I imagine Howard will be the Goalie though I could be wrong. On Defense, I think Gibbs and Boca will get another start, probably Hejduk as well, and then maybe Vanney, or Dolo, or N. Garcia as the fourth defender. I Hope it's Gibbs and Dolo outside, and then Boca and whomever partnered with him. As to the MF, how about a four man infield since Donovan and Beasley are sitting. Go with Lewis, and Convey on the wings, Armas or Pablo as D Mid, and Martino as A-Mid (might as well start Martino in this game). At Forward start Twellman, and either Mathis or Cunningham depending on whether Mathis can go. My lineup is patchwork, and I'm more than willing to accept criticism. Anyone else out there have a prediction based on the fact that Donovan, Beasley and Berhalter won't be playing? I understand that the word was that Martino wouldn't play in the tournament, but I see no problem with him starting the last game. We're out, they've already advanced, might as well start him, and he's the best distributor left on the roster, and the only one available that could really help accentuate the best aspects of Twellman's game. Convey needs to start this one as well. W/o Beasley and Donovan, we'll need speed, and Convey and Cunningham may be the next fastest guys available." Now as the other poster mentioned, Twellmen is out. So who should start instead? Kirovski (gag) and Cunningham (double gag)? Suppose that makes sense. I'd rather go with a 4-4-2 against Cameroon then a 3-5-2 or a 4-5-1.
Twellman is out with a sinus/ viral infection according to SA Also, Donovan and Beasley are also out as starters according to the same info
'dolo Bocanegra Gibbs Hejduk----flop Gibbs if ywnt Beas Mastro Convey Lewis Cunningham Kirovski I think that Bruce said Kyle was just going along for the trip. Bring him on as a sub for Convey. All I know is that we're going to have to attack, because Cameroon are going to get their goals...
i always enjoy watching the USA play with 3 at the back Calif - Boca - Gibbs Two wing backs, Dolo/Klein on the righ and Hejduk on the left. Armas, Convey, and Martino in midfield. Kiro supported with a fit striker
When it comes down to it, I'm just hoping that certain guys stay on the bench, and that Gibbs, Martino, Convey, Boca, and one decent striker (with Donovan, and Twellmen out, and Cunningham nursing an injury last week, I'm cringing at the thought of more Kirovski) up top. The rest of the team I can live with, but I want to see Convey and Martino in the MF, and I want to see Gibbs and Boca on D to see how they play together against Cameroons size and speed. I know Martino was supposed to sit this thing out, but I still see no harm in him playing the last game of a three and out confed competition for us. Go for the win, but also maximize the opportunity to see what some guys who've had very limited exposure for the Nats can do (that means no Kirovski, though we may be screwed in that department).