It's Juergen's first game - he is going to want to make a statement, and ensure he has some of the veterans around for his transition. He's bringing in the Europeans. Maybe not all of them, but a good chunk will be there. He will not want a blow-out as his first calling card. Grant Wahl has also already tweeted that an "A" squad is contractually obligated for this match. Mexico will have as close to an A team as possible (no Chicharito who is injured), which means some of our Europeans will be present. It's not going to be the heavy MLS side you've got. I expect to see: Howard, Donovan, Dempsey, Lichaj and Chandler. Beyond that, no idea what Juergen's going to do until he makes some statements. Key questions for me: 1) Which veterans does he retain during his first matches? 2) Is Bocanegra still the captain? 3) What is his mix of youth to veterans? 4) What is the style he will eschew from day 1? and more... He needs to start off on the right foot. We'll see the experimental MLS side against Costa Rica.
I want to see Edu in. IMO he hasn't had a fair shake...same with Torres I like Donovan on the left side and Dempsey right behind striker (maybe a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-1-2-1-2
Although I don't want to see this full lineup until next year, when it counts- it could be amazing technically, speed-wise, attack-wise, possession-wise xxxxxxxx Altidore-Agudelo xxxxxxx xxxxxx Dempsey-Adu- Donovan Shea-xxxxxxxx- Holden xxxxxxxxxxxxx Chandler xxxxxxxxxxx Gooch- Boca xxxxxxxxx Holden and Adu together might be amazing. We could play fast, one-touch soccer thru the middle, and release Chandler and Shea to go hard at defenses. Shea and Chandler would alternate in attack with the other falling back in a 3 man line (with Holden lying deep plugging up the middle). As we slow our opponent's attack, we could have 5 man defense, with Holden as forward sweeper. As a forward sweeper in between Gooch and Boca...Holden's role to snuff out anything looking like an attack. Holden's job would be to transition ball in offensive 1/3 to Adu without losing possession. Freddy would run show in final 1/3. Dempsey and Donovan would have free creative reign to wrap their game around the offense as it develops. If teams would try to take Freddy out of the game by denying him the ball, Holden could run the offense from deeper and play directly to Altidore, Agudelo, Dempsey, and Donovan- who should have more space if other team are intent on denying Freddy. In this scenario, you would depend on Shea and Chandler running their ar$h off, but in mostly straight lines. Dempsey, Donovan would move all over pitch. The reason I like this (to try it, at least) is that it puts Holden in the key spot of hosting possession in his 1/3, where he is the best in our side, and he was recognized last December as the best tackler in the EPL. He reads the game extremely well, and can play fast out of the back + supports the play. Freddy is going to make more mistakes, but that's ok- because you will trade mistakes in the final 1/3 for an AM that can make the killer pass or beating a guy 1 v 1 in the final 1/3 which Adu can do. Freddy has proven over many years that he can create offense. In this role, his new found capability of hustling and harrassing on defense is properly used...since likely will never been strong enough as a complete 2 way player defensively, but utilizing him in the attacking end primarily will unleash his full talents + provide a respectable level of defense. In this scenario, Landon and Dempsey would be asked to harrass in opponent's half as well. The 2nd goal in Mexico in Gold Cup showed what having technically talented players like Dempsey, Adu, and Donovan side-by-side can do. Unique permutations, creative soccer, 1 touch- stuff that you normally don't see with US nats. What needs to happen now (as improvement) is (1) an upgrade in decision-making, possession and tackling in the DM slot AND (2) more attacking options, which Shea and Chandler would provide in being the wingbacks that fly forward when the space is there. This would be our most technically sound lineup. I think we could terrorize sides in our regions, and scare the beejebees out of the most talented sides in the world with smart countering and better possession (than past years).
We need to lose at least 80% of our current team. Keep only the essential vets (i.e. Boca, Steve, Howard (duh), Donovan). Everything else is about what can be in three years. This is our 25 man roster as of now GK: Howard, Guzan, Cervi DEF: Boca, Steve, Lichaj, Chandler, Ream, Gonzalez, Goodson, Loyd MID: Donovan, Mix, Bradley, Holden, Bedoya, Gatt, Torres, Shea, Edu FWD: Dempsey, Jozy, Agudelo, McInerney(sp?) The biggest problem we have is a mass majority of our development players are dual citizens, and the good ones (Subotic, Rossi) don't stay with us. Starting 11 with player roster from above: GK: Howard DEF: Lichaj, Boca, Gonzalez, Chandler MID: Donovan, Bradley, Holden, ??? FWD: Dempsey, Jozy
I had to check it out but you are correct. Corona has been showing consistency. Since I don't follow the Mexican lower divisions, I didn't notice. Shame on me. I suppose Corona does warrant a callup.
----------Striker--------- Dempsey---Adu---Donovan ------Holden---Jones----- LB-----CB-----CB-----Dolo ----------Tim-------------
---------Dempsey----------- Donovan---Adu----Chandler -------Jones---Holden------ Lichaj--Boca---Gooch--Dolo -----------Howard------------
Jk said that he talked to 6 players today about playing against mexico. Who do you think those 6 players were?
I think he said he spoke to 5-6 players over the weekend (not necessarily about Mexico, but I think that was included). My guess: -Key veterans: LD, Dempsey, Howard, Dolo -Current captain: Bocanegra -Ex-Coach's Son: Bradley Everyone else gets a call later. Altidore has tweeted he will not be at the game - for whatever reason... Can't wait until Wednesday!
Omar Gonzalez was asked a few questions if he was called in and if he would be wearing his sweet face mask and he just said let's hope so! Bob was at a galaxy game a few weeks ago and it looked pretty obvious he would get called in so I wonder if Jurgy will plan to use our big CB.
He said he called some players without a club. So I'm guessing Adu plus the other usual suspects (Donovan, Dempsey, Howard, etc.) I don't think we see a lot of Euro guys. No Dempsey, maybe no Howard. Gooch just got a new club. Altidore already says he is not coming.
There is also Spector and Bornstein can't even make his club's bench so that could mean he doesn't have a club
[LINEUP-4-5-1]Altidore, Donovan, Holden, Bradley, Dempsey, Jones, Lichaj, Goodson, Gonzalez, Chandler, Howard [/LINEUP-4-5-1] Bench: Guzan, Spector, Onyewu, Edu, Bedoya, Adu, Agudelo Dempsey sits behind Altidore as the second striker with Donovan and Holden being the main motors pushing the attack. Bradley and Jones sitting deep and maintaining possession.
Next week against Mexico, I'd like to see veterans mix with young players. -------Beasley------Donovan Shea---Dempsey---Jones---Chandler Lichaj---Ream---Goodson---Dolo -------------Guzan Subs: GK-Johnson/Hamid Rogers/Gaven Bedoya/Adu?/LaBrocca Torres/Benny Edu/Bradley/Beckerman Gomez/Agudelo/Bunbury John/Gonzo
It appears Spector has found a club at certain rival... If he talked to Spector about playing in the midfield I'm all for it. I don't know how Tigres got tricked into signing Bornstein...
As far as a lineup towards weaker opponents, I'd like to see something along the lines of this. Dempsey and Altidore are the best forwards the team has right now. Altidore doesn't do well when he has the point to himself. Altidore just needs to calm down up there, forget the pressure, and take some chances. His shot against Guadalupe showed that he is more than capable to tee some dangerous shots up from 20-25 yards out. Good strikers are smart on the ball, but they also are not afraid to lose possession if that means going for an opening when they see one. Altidore is either just not good enough or he has been afraid to screw up because he doesn't want to get pulled. Having Holden and Dempsey around him is his best chance at having some space to get open. Also, a Dempsey-Holden-Adu triangle can result in some great 1 touch play to break pressure. The U.S. has lacked that calming force in the middle to connect the forwards and mids. Holden has shown he is one of the few players on the team that is comfortable with the ball at his feet and he knows how to move off the ball and provide the attack with an open man. Adu showed in the Gold Cup that when he has space he is the teams most dangerous player. He tends to get lost in the middle so putting him in a wide position is probably the teams best bet. Also, his decision making in high congested areas is still questionable, but with time will hopefully get better. (Very good run by Adu, but pause right at 0:25, that ball HAS GOT to be cut back to Jones in the middle. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMp7bkzNOY"]Freddy Adu vs. Panama - 2011 Gold Cup Semi-Final‏ - YouTube[/ame]) A defender marking him out wide will have a hell of a time trying to keep up with him. Donovan is still Donovan. He still provides that killer pass and instincts out there. Jones is the team's best pure holding mid. If anyone has their starting position on lock it's Cherundolo. With that being said, I think Chandler's speed justifies him being on his natural crossing side when he bombs forward. Of all the defenders Cherundolo is the one that can play out of position and the team wouldn't be vulnerable. Lichaj has impressed me, but in my opinion Chandler gets the start over him and as long as Cherundolo can keep up he is a starter. Nothing new in the center. Bocanegra is the teams best CB at the moment and it is up to somebody to earn that other sport. Howard has had his fair share of questionable moments positioning wise, but he is still pretty phenomenal reflex wise. The lineup situation gets a lot more complicated when we are playing more talented opponents. Bradley has been good for the team over the last few years, but he doesn't really have that one particular role. Is he a defensive minded mid or an offensive minded one? He has been lingering in limbo between these two roles. Great mid-fields have players in particular roles as that isn't a part of the field that you want any confusion in. Jones is a better defensive option and there are better offensive options. If the team needs 2 anchors in the middle then he or Edu are probably the next in line (Spector has shown he is capable of playing in the middle of the field so it will be interesting to see if anything forms out of that. I really doubt he is going to see time in the defense any time soon).