Same Backline as Ecuador, Williams plays the defesive role this time, Johnson gets the start on the right, Bradley playing the attacking role, while Dempsey plays the "false 9 role" and Altidore up top. I wouldn't count on this team beating France, but oh well, I predicted my line-up; now what's yours?
All I know is that if we start with any formation with just one forward(even if there is a supporting striker, like above), we probably won't score....again.
I like it, I don't want Edu to start any games. For the CM role, Bradley > Beckerman > Edu CDM role, Jones > Williams > Beckerman > Bradley
Yep team might just need to press the issue and put 3 strikers up top. Though players do know movements and the basic 4-4-2 is the strongest point between all out attack or all out defense. This line-up is good and has many top players. But make no mistake, France will cherish its glory here. That is why. USA must attack but not disappear for a elongated time segmentation and make them pull off a bit. I mean. If I won the largest championship on my opponents soil. I would want to uphold most any relevancy. That means France might not play stall ball too long. They all so love going out wide but team tends to pull up sooner than most. e.g. looking for cuts back inside for a slot mover or mid-box cross. That wont discontent any other typical midfield play for shots. USA just needs composure and some great strikes itself. Thats the difference maker. France hasn't made great attempts in the Cup the last time or two. Even dons Team Turmoil. Nothing like a individual 30 second stance outside of the trophy case to infuse considerations. Heck USA with these next 3 games could be facing a 10 goal deficit (these 2 and Italy)...
4-2-3-1 formation ................9 Altidore............... ................10 Dempsey............. 11 Shea.....................7 Johnson ................8 Williams............... ..................6 Jones................ 3 Chandler......................2 Dolo ............5 Boca....4 Gooch........ Jones at the #6 because in form he is IMO one of the best destroyers in the world and he is very much in form. I also like his weighted long ball over the top. Just ask Jozy and Poland. Williams at the #8 because he is by far the best 1v1 attacker of our CMs while posessing ball winning skills just below Jones and Edu. His 20 yard laser pass on the ground is also very quick and accurate. Johnson at the #7 brings the same attacking mindset as Shea with defensive intensity to boot. He may be the best 1v1 attacker on this roster. The rest should be obvious. Subs Beckerman at #6 and Edu at #8 if we need defense. Edu at #6 and Bradley at #8 for offense.
This wouldn't surprise me at all. And, considering the roster called in, it is a logical XI. However, I'm curious to see Beckerman start at the #6 role. Not because I think he's better than Jones (Jones is better), but because this would be a good test to see if Beckerman is up to international standards -- put-up-or-shut-up time for him. I also really expect, and want to see, Johnson start at RM. I see him perhaps becoming a very useful player this cycle. Williams, as a starter or a sub, at CM is also important. If this were a meaningful match, like a qualifier, I'd start Bradley at the #8. But for a friendly it is more useful to see Williams. I would have loved to see Cameron come in as a 2nd half sub for Boca, but he wasn't called in. So given the roster, Orozco should get a test the last 30 minutes to see if he can handle the level of play. I would also have liked to see 30 minutes for either Gonzalez or John as a the "big" CB, but that isn't an option. I don't need to see Goodson, so I'd play Onyewu 90. Goodson can start vs Slovenia.
I agree about seeing Beckermen in there. He's started every game and done a good job so far. If you're not gonna trust him to at least get a shot at playing the big boys there is really little point in giving him so much playing time unless Klinsmann was just waiting for when/if Jones won his spot back at Shalke.
Grant Wahl thinks this will be the XI vs France: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...0/france.usa.preview/index.html?sct=sc_t11_a1 ----------Altidore-----Dempsey--------- Shea-----------Bradley---------Johnson ---------------Beckerman-------------- Chandler---Boca---Onyewu---Cherundolo ----------------Howard----------------
The attack and the defense pretty much set themselves. I think with Jones in his current form, you have to start him. Bradley versus Williams is a little more close, but I think Williams has been playing a little better than Bradley, so he gets the nod. -----------------Altidore-------------- Shea-----------Dempsey---------Johnson -------------Williams--Jones-------------- Chandler---Boca---Onyewu---Cherundolo ----------------Howard----------------
Everyone has Gooch starting. Do we know that he is fit? Last update I read had him practicing on his own away from the team.
It would make little sense not to start him at this point. The time has been invested...let's see in a big match. We agree 100% on the CB stuff. Yeah, Johnson has been the guy I have been waiting on. Let's see the speed we need. Wow, the Mo Edu love fest/fantasy seems to have ended just as I predicted over the last 3 years...right when he started playing regularly. Shocking. His skills were what they were then and now. No difference. Just no lil Mike to bash with pop. Such clarity.
Yesterday they said: That suggests to me that he isn't fit for duty. I was wondering if that status had changed.
Put in Goodson for Gooch. Hate to see him get further injured if he isn't fully fit. And Jones in for Beckerman.
-----------------Altidore-------------- Shea-----------Dempsey---------Johnson -------------Williams--Jones-------------- Chandler---Boca---Onyewu---Cherundolo ----------------Howard---------------- Is what I'd go with if Onyewu is available. Goodson in his place if not.
Yo-Yo-Yo- I got this! Get my Outside Air fixed today. Watch some Basketball and enjoy some soccer. Plus! I get to treat Insight channel CN2 as a loner stoner and wonder when the rest of the Commonwealths are joining forces. Will... With Carson Palmer and all...
I believe this is a good lineup. The only change I might make would be to start Jones instead of Williams. Certainly, we will learn something of JK if either Beckerman or Edu start. I believe we have four better options than either of them.
Alright after reviewing the practice video, here is what, to me, it will look like. Replace Williams with Bradley.
After reading the statement below I am not as confident Jones will be at the #6 "Some may say, “Why is there a Kyle Beckerman right now occupying the No. 6 (defensive midfielder) role, when we have Jermaine Jones playing for Schalke or Michael (Bradley) in Verona and they’re really good players?” Right now, what I tell (Beckerman) to do, he’s doing it 100 percent." http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/...plains-his-vision-for-us-soccer#ixzz1dPXhV3JJ
The U.S. MNT lineup vs. France: Howard; Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra (capt.), Chandler; Shea, Beckerman, Edu, Williams; Dempsey, Altidore. Beckerman and Edu still start, hmmmmm . ..