#USMNT lineup: Howard; Spector, DeMerit Onyewu, Bornstein; Bradley, Kljestan, Donovan, Dempsey, Beasley; Altidore (4-5-1). Beasley's inclusion is utterly embarrassing. What a waste of an opportunity to find something out about our team, other than "Beasley is (still) completely worthless." Combine that with the Kljestan start, and I'd be livid if I were Torres and Adu. If we had any competent soccer media in this country, they should be demanding an answer as to what happened in Costa Rica, because it's pretty clear by now that something did.
What was the point of having Adu on the roster if the team policy was "you have to play for your club to get playing time with the national team"?
I am surprised to see Beasley and Sacha start. Neither have offered much in the last couple of games.
Re: Starting lineup announced vs. Brazil What I like about this lineup: - Donovan in the midfield. - Kljestan and Bradley: Not saying it's my choice, but those two are a better balance than Clark and Bradley. - Spector still on the right - Howard's still our keeper - Onyewu (I'm trying. I really am.) What I don't like about this lineup: - Beasley. Jesus. - Altidore alone up top. Asking a kid who hasn't gotten a lot of playing time to try to play both the target forward and be a finisher complicates the game too much, IMO. I'd rather he be partnered with Casey and be made the finisher. Keep the game simple for him. - DeMerit. Expect more long balls, but I guess that was going to happen regardless. But, for now I'll hope I'm wrong and that this is exactly the lineup we need to be competitive against Brazil.
I'm guessing Beasley is out there to not only help Bornstein defensively against the likes of Maicon and Elano but so as to also try and stretch the Brazilian defense and try to swing in some crosses from the flanks, something that was sorely lacking against Italy.
This was the most likely lineup all along. I actually like Beasley's inclusion. Kljestan's less so. Beaz makes sense given Bornstein's less than steady display against Italy. It will help to solidify the left side.
Absolutely ridiculous, Bob just doesn't cut it if this lineup doesn't prove that I don't know when some of those Bob defenders will ever get it but we are bound to go 3 and out in 2010 under this clown. How you can start Beasley after his miserable performance after miserable performance and Kljestan (who I love by the way) who can't even start regularly in the MLS right now instead of Adu and Torres is absolutely baffling.
Nermal makes a good point -- Torres should be starting ahead of Beasley, no question about it. But I like the inclusion of Klejstan. Hopefully he'll bring some creativity on the ball to the party, not to mention link up well with Mike Bradley in the central midfield.
I can stretch and justify Beasley for his defensive help for the gapping hole that Bornstein will create. No Torres, Benny, Adu? Fine, all defensive liabilities to a degree. A 4-5-1? I can't defend this. Fook me, Bradley! Why not just play a 10-0-0...
Yeah, I can't wait to see Altidore try to fight for long ball after long ball that even if he wins will be knocked down to one of five Brazilians in the area. Nothing like taking an immensely skilled player and turning him into a useless pinata.
I would agree with others that Klejstan's got the potential of providing a better chemistry with Bradley than any of the others would. Having said that, I'm still hoping that Bradley gets the call to have a free role in the midfield like he's had at club level from time to time.
Giving Bob the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he figured we can't match Brazil's technical ability so lets put the most athletic team possible on the field. I mean, I could understand the logic, match them in at least one way. What do you think?
Altidore by himself up top is just not going to cut it. Even if he wins a long ball out of the back, there's nobody for him to flick it on toward. Beasley's presence on the field is an insult to fans who have watched this team. Bob Bradley's presence on the bench is a greater insult to fans who have watched this team.
Fair. I think the others (Adu, Benny, Jose) are all more individual type players. Here's to hoping that that Sasha's last minute strike against Italy offered some foreshadowing... To be honest, I think one of the toughest parts of having Bradley in the middle is that the U.S. doesn't seem to know if he's an attacking MF or a holding MF. Maybe he's both? If so, the U.S. needs another guy who can play both, and that would seem to be Sasha of the available players today. Regardless, with this lineup, I'm not holding my breath.
i said it before and ill say it again: a 4-5-1 against real competition will not end favorably for us. a 4-4-2 would give us a fighting chance (slim but fighting nonetheless) prediction: 3-0 brazil
Problem with going "athletic" is that many of the guys who are going to have to cover the most ground -- especially bradley and altidore (who isn't a post up striker in the first place) -- ran themselves out three days ago against italy 10 v. 11. Best case scenario is that this is a 'hold the fort for 60 minutes' lineup, then beas comes off for Adu or Torres, Donovan slides left and we go for more possession. Do I think that's the plan? Absolutely not.
Wow! Someone that gives the head coach the benefit of the doubt! Why does everyone have to go for Bradley's head all the time? Beasley's inclusion is obvious considering Bornstein behind him. Sacha's inclusion makes sense in that it allows Demps and Donovan the ability to float higher up behind Altidore. While I do miss the likes of Torres and Adu, Bradley also has the chance to see these guys perform every day in training. Give it a chance. Don't go crazy before we even have the kick-off.