Fabian Johnson as Winger

I think it should be the opposite...

 

Agreed. I know he had a decent game at LB against Mexico and a good one against Costa Rica (weather played a part) but I still don't trust him at left back. I guess a friendly against a quality opponent is the best place to see if it's truly a viable option though.

 

Beasley got out-paced twice if I remember correctly.

 

It's about time. The team especially with Donovan unavailable needs to build with Fab in midfield. Castillo can take over left back.

 

On whether Fabian Johnson can also play back and the reason why Danny Williams hasn’t seen much playing time at Hoffenheim:
...With Fabian, the situation as you mentioned is he can play left midfield easily. This is also something we can consider. Now with Beas playing these two exceptional games against Costa Rica and Mexico, it might be something that we want to see. We might try it out against Belgium. It’s definitely something that we always have in mind because he plays that role in our friendly game in Slovenia and very successfully. He can play that. He’s one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga once he picks up speed. He’s technically very gifted. It should give us a couple of alternatives.”

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/05/jurgen-klinsmann-conference-call.aspx

 

Would be unwise to make Beasley at LB a permanent thing.

 

But in the correct situation, it would be more effective than hoping for a good showing from our other LBs not named Johnson.

 

Until I see it fail I will keep an open mind.

 

Castillo is as good as Beas (as JK calls him) at LB.
Really.

 

Fab finished the season at LB but had several bright attacking sequences. Hoffenheim had an improbable 2-1 victory v Dortmund and made the relegation playoffs (May 25 and 27) so Fab will likely miss the Belgium match and chance to play AML in that fixture as JK had suggested.

 

Yeah, luckily, the Dortmund keeper got red carded for preventing Johnson from getting another assist.

 

It almost did against Mexico and failed under the last coach.

 

I am not so concerned about his failing but about DMB's body failing him if he is #1 anything. I really like the guy, and I think for his club he has played some super sub role and done a super job. He plays more winger though. When I have seen him he has looked pretty good and is very offensive minded with the technical ability to often execute his ideas.

I like the asymetrical thing with our guys for now, and then with Cam packed in at the RB w can push forward pretty hard on the left with FJ out of the back. I put DMB and Brek Shea (* pending health and fitness) splitting time on the left wing.

 

The relegation games will be on following dates.

Relegation Bundesliga, Hinspiel
23.05.2013, 20.30 1899 Hoffenheim -1. FC Kaiserslautern
Relegation Bundesliga, Rückspiel
27.05.2013, 20.30 1. FC Kaiserslautern - 1899 Hoffenheim

 

Thanks for the correction. In the Euro to US date format I saw 23.05 and somehow I wrote 5-25.

 

Hopefully he will be healthy for germany.

He has played a lot mroe winger now so can do even more.

 

Fab played AML today in Hoffenheim's W3-1 in the first leg of their relegation playoff battle. He was very dynamic on the attack and was a key part of Hoffenheims offensive effectiveness. The away led is on May 27th.

I am really hoping that we get a chance to see Fab at AML for the USMNT, maybe in the friendly v Germany.

 

I agree, especially in the context of our lack of attacking options.

 

Then Castillo at LB. Do not want to see Beasley at LB. People getting way too comfortable after 2 games.

 

Agree I would rather have beez in wing with someone else behind him @LB

 

Anyone with doubts about Castillo and Corona should watch Tijuana v Ronaldinho's Atletico Mineirio tonight at 8:30 ET

 

I've watched quite a bit of Xolos this year, I'm not sold on Corona and he's been moved further back on the pitch then where we need him as a player for the nats. Castillo on the other hand has been splendid. I've noticed a trend of teams practically refusing to attack on the left. Not sure if it's their weaker sides or if the right is Xolos' weak side but nothing ever gets played through the left. Castillo has that on lock.

I'll be quite happy to see Castillo and Fabian on the field together. I'm pretty sure JK's two trips this last month to watch Tijuana play were to see if Castillo could take that LB spot over.

 

He really is an offensive machine if you can match him with someone who can play him quick 1-2s (Donovan), because he's so friggin fast. I kind of want to see him play LM over Shea, Eddie, or FJ.

 

Ives joins the chorus.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/05/update-klinsmann-johnson.html

 

FJ will have to perform well as a LM to convince me he is the answer to that rotating muddle of a position. But when you look at the current roster, he sure does jump out at you as an answer, at least in the short run. Let's see him there. Let him make a case. I have my doubts long term, but I have no problem with trying him there.