If we use the 4-2-2-2 formation my backline would look like: -------Cherundolo------Pope-----Bocanegra------Russell-------- I don't know if Cherundolo could play on the left, but with Russell and Cherundolo as the outside backs, they would provide dangerous attcks down the flanks. If we use a 4-4-2: -------Bocanegra--------Pope---------Gibbs---------Mastroeni----- I don't know why but I think this group could learn quickly about playing with each other and probably be very effective.
For the simple fact that Areans sets his line-up according to the match up. Arena and he's players for the most part have adapted well to playing different styles with a variety of players.
For all those that continually rag on Hejduk (I'm guilty as well), the guy doesn't do too badly at the Big Show.
Yeah, but a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-2-2 really arent that different at all. When has Arena not wanted fullbacks who over lap and get into the attack? The fullbacks you have in the 4-2-2-2 would do fine in a more traditional version of the 4-4-2. You're splitting hairs.
Yeah I see where you're coming from. I just have a slightly different view because of past playing experiences in the 4-4-2 and 4-2-2-2. Back in the day, playing club ball when playing a 4-4-2 our fullbacks were kinda "stay at home" defenders and kinda pinched in a bit. But when we used a 4-2-2-2 the fullbacks overlapped and got more involved in starting the attack. So that's where my preception of the differences between the two comes from. I guess that I never really thought about Arena's usual system with the backs.
The wildcard in this is Spector, probally within two years he will be the number one man in the middle for the US. Given his progression at Man U. and the competition he is going against. He made a big impression the 2nd half of the year in their system eventually being named youth player of the year. This summer during their preseason tour, many people thinks if he impresses he will move probally into the #1 sub off the bench in the backline, gaining alot of time behind Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown. Given the number of games they play Spector could play over 30 games this year alone at 18 years of age. Next year Browns contract is up and Spector could take over for him. Also he brings very good technical ability, along with a bulldog ferocity in the middle. He is the closest we have ever produced to the true libero defender. If you were rating on future ability he would be a 10/10 on the chart. This is a good develope as it gives Arena another quality back for qualifying.
Good points, but if you're counting on Spector to be a star given his youth and reserve team performances at Man U then I suggest you remember the names Jovan Kirovski and John Thorrington. Success in the Man U youth system is not a guarantee of a sterling pro career.
My suspicion is the CB slots are Pope and Gibbs and Bocanegra.... then I'd throw mastroeni in as #4 against sides who use finesse or speed forwards... #5 would be berhalter due to his experience... spector would probably not see any PT until after 2006....I diubt he even makes the roster for '06 given usa qualifies
man u also just signed heinze to play central back knocking wes brown back to the bench once rio is back. Unless a couple of the big guys go down with injuries we probably won't see much of spector with the big boys this upcomming season. that said, i think boca can play a left back in bruce's system. I'd like to see a backline of: Cherundolo---Gibbs---Pope---Bocanegra Don't like heydude at right back as a starter, and convey at left back is quite possibly the ugliest thing i've ever seen Completely out of position on defense. Please put him back in the midfield somewhere bruce.
Agree with your points, Sinter. I like Boca at LB with Gibbs & Pope at CB & Dolo at RB. IMO it's our BEST back four, though I do believe that Sanneh (and, even, Hejduk) can be valuable as subs. I WISH Bruce would use Convey at RM. It's our weakest position & Convey could help. Not to mention that I don't think that Convey is a "better" choice at LB than Boca or even Vanney. As far as Jonathan Spector goes, I think terrywilson might be expecting TOO much from him so soon. I don't see Spector being included in Bruce's plans ANY time soon. I wish him well at ManU but don't see him starting there any time soon either. Besides, there's NO need to rush him since our CB position is SOOO solid & filled.
Perhaps, but I think people's views of Hejduk are often prejudiced by his comparatively poor play for Columbus. While his club play does provide a better sample size, his national team play has been consistently better over the last few years, to the point where I think he just fits better with Bruce's plans. I'm perfectly satisfied with Hejduk's national team performance. Before we disturb a very satisfactory back 4 all that much, I'd want to ease Cherundulo in. Incidentally, Bocanegra is an exceptional CB. I bet he'll play CB at far bigger clubs than Fulham in his career. Gibbs is at his best at CB. But I haven't been convinced that such difference is significant enough to force Bocanegra to a weaker position. Superiority at the highest level is exponential in value. Let's make sure that Gibbs is truly elite before breaking up Pope and Bocanegra, who are a really fantastic pairing.
Frankie is a solid CONCACAF back, but as we saw in the Netherlands game, he can't hang with the big boys, we need to find a better solution for WC Finals games. Frankie is great for qualifying though.
Yeah, but based on Frankie's national team performance... he still can't send in an early cross. Frankie has been playing left mid at columbus quite a bit this year, I wouldn't use that as a determining factor for wanting him at right back for the nats. I would, however, as peledre said worry about Arjen Robben turning frankies shorts inside out. Frankie just doesn't face anything like Robben week in week out in MLS. Now, I don't know how many Arjen Robbens there are in the Bundasliga but I know there are some Ze Robertos that steve gets to worry about two maybe three times a season. Cherundolo is going to keep getting better. Frankie, as much as I like him, is going to be second string whenever Steve is available.
If I Was choosing up a side for right now, I'd go with Dolo Pope Gibbs and Boca I think if Boca is good enough to play on the left with his club side, he should be able to hold his own in CONCACAF qualifying. Same with Dolo who's been a Bundesliga starter for a few seasons...I think the only knock on him is that he's short and seemingly not really strong. But offensively he brings more than anyone else to the table. Pope is a lock and I think Gibbs is ready to step in. He had a good Gold Cup last year, a decent Confed Cup before that and absolutely good in Ruud van Nistelroy's shorts back in February. Down the line Russell may be an option and wild cards of course are whether Sanneh can still bring it after recovering from injuries and such. I still think Convey isn''t much of a defender but he brings some good runs down the flank. I just think he's better in the midfield. Assuming John O'Brien comes back from injury, he still needs to stay in the midfield. I honestly think he's better on the ball than Reyna, certainly more creatinve and we need players like that in the midfield not at left back.
I think those three might be good together in a 3-5-2 but Gibbs and Boca are left footed. Pope should be the right back because of that but can either Boca or Gibbs play sweeper at that high a level? I also don't think that pairing Casey and McBride is the answer because they are too similar. Donovan would work great off of either and plays his best when close to DMB as they have esp with give and go's together (almost the same with Convey). That leaves right mid as a problem spot. Someone has to step up and claim that spot. Maybe Convey can be given a run out but he is also left footed and that doesn't always work well for outside players that are expected to cross with their weaker foot.