Pre-match: US vs Mexico @ Azteca, Tuesday 3/26, 10:30 PM EST

I don't know that Kljestan has quite reached Gooch levels of awesomess in the Jupiler where he would be regarded as one of the very best at his position. He has however become a lock starter and an important driving force in the top team in the league. Someone in Kljestan's Yanks Abroad thread compiled an impressive +/- record on the player. He's got 2 goals and 8 assists in league play. I only saw the match against Gooch's Malaga, but he got good opta scores in other UCL matches.
Imo he moreso than Beckerman would add defensive bite in deep midfield which is important as Bradley will be the other deep mid if 4411 is used.
He should do fine as a starter in this match.

 

https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/316345411331837954

 

@GrantWahl

3m​

Official: Michael Orozco Fiscal added to USMNT roster.

 

I'm undecided between the following two lineups. I do want to see Edu in a DM/sweeper role with Klejstan and Bradley at LCM and RCM. I think we need 3 in the midfield. I'd also like to see both Goodson and Gonzalez again for their aerial defense.

Where to put Dempsey? I'm concerned that, on the outside or as a #10, he might not put in enough of a defensive shift. This game will require it. One option is to play him in a false nine role with Johnson and Gomez as outside forwards. Those two have good defensive work rate and dangerous speed for when we'll counter, and it'd let Dempsey have more of a free role with less defensive responsibility.






Or we could do something more standard:

 

<-- Puppydamus

 

jajaja I kind of do it as a joke...not my fault he's got a long ass name

 

HAHA!!! Klinsmann is totally trolling us...props Klinsi

 

I'm guessing it's just for insurance? But still....

 

FTFY

 

One last post before I get red carded -

I applaud anything that take the hatred out of the rivalry.

Intensity is one thing, hatred, well, we'll leave that to the Ticos.

And we'll leave self-hatred to the American moderators.

 

YESSSSSSS!!!! We can't lose now!

 

get through the first 20-30 mins at a scoreless draw or up a goal and i really like our chances. Mexico is looking for a big result to cast their issues away, and we could force them into a lot of stupid mistakes if we play calm. I like our chances at a draw, a win isnt out of the question, but its right on boundry

same back 4 as last time as far as i am concerned, but the Fiscal addition brings that into question

 

Ugh. Lets hope MOF is there only to troll Mexico ahead of the match and be insurance/practice squad fodder. He's an abysmal defender and we're going to need to defend very well to get a result.

 

Emergency striker imo.

 

Mexico poured 39 crosses and dead balls into the box. They looked to be going pretty HAM in that August match.

 

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/03/pressure-squarely-tuesday.html

 

What is Orozco's position? He used to be an outside back, but switched to the center, correct?

 

I believe he's played right back for Puebla this season and has done a good job. Regardless, I think this is a call up out of convenience and proximity than strategy. I'd be surprised if he makes the bench.

Any specific games where you remember him playing really well? I want to go back and watch some clips.

Agree with this. It made no sense to play him out wide (on the left no less) like in Honduras. He doesn't have the speed or one on one ability to be effective on the flanks.

 

Never seen a non-WC game hyped so much in America. I've seen promotion on ESPN commercials. I've seen USA/CR talked about not only on Sports Center, but various ESPN shows, and not a quick blurb either. I'm watching the Heat game, they just promoted the game coming back from a timeout and Jeff Van Gundy talked about us going to Azteca to get a road win.

Refreshing and good to see. Now we just have to put on a good show.

 

For me, the thing that makes Azteca so menacing isn't the altitude or the smog, it's the fact that it holds 105,000 people, and due to the vertical nature of the seating, they are all virtually on top of the field. Yeah it's great that we were finally able to get a victory there, but we did it when the stadium was only half full. The attendance was only 56,000. The energy wasn't nearly the same.

If we manage to go up by a goal in tomorrows game, (like we did last cycle) there are going to be 105,000 screaming fans, pushing for Mexico to score an equalizer, and our guys are going to have to hold on for dear life. That is the reality of Azteca. Anyone who thinks we are going to "come out attacking," or "take the game to them" is crazy.

 

It is the combination of things IMHO.

 

As a climber I can confirm this.

 

Well yeah, but I feel the crowd is the biggest one.

 

A US win, and I wonder how the crowd would react after the final whistle. Most likely a chorus of boos raining down on El Tri, and media panic, media panic everywhere.