This sounds just about right. Our team should be the #1 priority, after which should we should then give Honduras some consideration (vis-a-vis the quality of side we put on the field v. CR).
I agree. Please no more experimenting like in the Gold Cup and the last Copa America. I want the US to finish first, and we should put the best people on the field to win...and they need to have that attitude instilled in them by the coach. None of this "let the European players return to their teams" stuff. Every one needs to be serious and on-focus for this last game.
First hint from Goff: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/monday_kickaround_28.html?wprss=soccerinsider
Re: why we should go all out to win Wednesday Please post it if/when you find confirmation. Because from that article it would seem that FIFA only recently came up with the idea to seed the playoffs.
It still doesn't mean that the same 11 will start. I expect a few from the bench will be starting on Wednesday.
starters: -----------------------------Guzan ------Cherundolo------Conrad-------Goodson---------Hejduk -----------------------------Clark ------------Holden----------Torres----------------Rogers -----------------------Cooper--------Casey Subs: Howard,Onyewu,Spector,Feilhaber,Donovan,Davies
Re: why we should go all out to win Wednesday I suggest the opposite for the same reason. We will not get to play a team with as much on the line as CR until the first game in SA. Friendlies, no matter how serious people try to take them, are different. Individual performances are key, but results are not. If BB has any questions about anyone's ability to handle the pressure, or thinks anyone needs any additional real competition seasoning, this is the best chance he's going to have. It's not an away game, which would be the best for giving someone a taste of level, but it's the closest we'll get. It matters not a whit what is good for/fair to Honduras. What Bob should and will do is figure out what is best the USMNT. He better anyway. Of the many complaints I have against Bob, these kinds of clearheaded decisions are not usually beyond him. Treat this as the best, earlier WC tune-up you're going to get. And set your line-up accordingly.
Re: why we should go all out to win Wednesday This has been my argument for what we should do in this match. Bob should put in some guys in this match who he's not sure about to test them.
I totally disagree. How soon we forget our past visits to El Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. The wonderful Tico fans threw urine on our players. I was there for that one and I saw it all. And then there was the "phantom handball" called on Berhalter by the Jamaican referee Pendergast (sp.), who was obviously paid off. The Costa Rican Football Federation had guaranteed a win, or all fans would get their money back. The match was a tie until the penalty call. What's more, Reyna and Arena were suspended for a game. Arena told the referee that "you cheated us...", and it was so obvious, in view of the situation and the offer by the Costa Rican Football Federation, that the result was rigged. Let 'em see if they can rig a match against Argentina or Uruguay. We should totally hammer them and let Argentina or Uruguay finish them off.
In about, oh 4 or 5 months time this could prove to be telling. If he's getting a string of regular playing time by Feb or so, we'll see him in next year's friendlies, and then he could seriously re-enter the equation.
Here's my lineup, changed my mind from the all-MLS selection I preferred immediately after the Honduras game: -------------------Guzan------------------- -Cherundolo---Onyewu---Conrad---Bornstein- -Holden------Clark-----Torres------Feilhaber- -------------Casey-----Altidore------------- Subs: Howard, Goodson, Hejduk, Rogers, Donovan, Cooper, Ching Davies, Spector, Bradley and Bocanegra can be rested and return to Europe a day early. Donovan, since he's staying in country, can remain in the 18. Edit: I see I'm not the first poster with this lineup choice.
In case anyone was wondering, I was joking. I don't know if the Adu playing time was what the "thank you" was for, but I couldn't pass that up.
The real problem with making too many changes is that it makes it damn near impossible to evaluate how someone would fit in. Too many variables and you get no useful information from the game. Send anyone banged up home (Dempsey), but otherwise I think we should trot out at least 8-9 regulars to start.
I might be mistaken on this, but I don't think Dempsey left London. Can someone conform or deny? Btw, I completely agree, keep at least 6 field players the same.
I can't remember where I read it, but Dempsey is ruled out for Wednesday, so whether or not he left London, I don't know, but as far as his inclusion in Wednesday's game, that is a no-go. EDIT: Goff says Clint is still in London http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/monday_kickaround_28.html?wprss=soccerinsider I would like to see Davies and Altidore up top. I recognize that it's hard to argue against giving Casey a start considering what he did down in Honduras, but I want to believe that Bradley feels the Jozy-Charlie pairing will be the preferred pairing up front next summer and there are not that many games left between now and then to get those 2 more PT together. Casey should be the first offensive sub off the bench.
Are we set up for a fall against Costa Rica? Mabye 1. We have qualified. That was the big goal. 2. There is talk of resting some of the Euro players and Donovan. 3. How focused can the team be following the huge win in Honduras. We'll be ready 1. Bob has said our goal was to win the Hex. We need to win Wednesday to achieve that goal. 2. Our roster is now deep enough to take a look at some players without a drop off in talent. 3. We will be playing at home at RFK. We have lost only one home qualifier since 1986. Of course it was at RFK in 2001.
---------------------Guzan --Dolo--------- Onyewu (needs 90 min)--Goodson----Spector Holden------- Clark-------- Feilhaber--------------Torres ------Atidore-----Ching
Re: Are we set up for a fall against Costa Rica? We can't fall until next summer. Look,tomorrow's my birthday,and it's going to be a lot more relaxing for me watching the Nats play knowing they're already qualified. I'm sure we'll have our foot off the gas,but so what?we're in.I assume there will be some player experimentation,and that's cool. My hope is we don't try to do some godawful 3-in-the back setup.We can't do that.
Re: Are we set up for a fall against Costa Rica? Happy Birthday, Russ! It would be unusual, of the highest order, to see three in the back tomorrow evening. There may be some unusuals in the starting lineup and who knows they may turn into Conor Caseys. One point, I left out in the OP. Costa Rica is going to bring it. They have everything at stake.