Pre-match: USA vs Turkey, June 1st

Yeah, considering we'll be facing guys like Ronaldo, Reus, and Ayew.

 

I wouldn't put Ayew in with that group but yes it would have been ideal to match up with him as a test. O well. Can't wait for tomorrow!

 

I mean our target forward, Jozy Altidore, is a beast in the air, so... oh, wait, nevermind.

 

I didn't say it was a rational universe, but possible!

 

Seems like, though you've got your CBs switched. Besler is the lefty. Cam plays on the left only when paired with another righty like Goodson or Gonzo.

Agreed. I think having them both is a bit redundant. They are both set piece specialists, and neither I think brings Bedoya's pace. I can see why Klinsmann would want one on the field, but I don't think we need both.

 

We don't have wingers except for Green. The whole point of the diamond is to play without wingers, since we have essentially zero of them, and get width from the fullbacks. Playing Davis etc. as wingers would be crazy, but that's not what we're doing. Whether it will work is another question.

 

I'd much prefer Zusi getting dropped than Bedoya. Put Zusi on the bench, move Bedoya to RM.

If it were me, I'm putting Fabian at LM, Chandler at LB and Yedlin at RB. Want to see what Yedlin can do going 90 against a good squad. If he does well, moving Fabian to LM becomes much easier. Test Yedlin now.

 

JK's love of brad Davis appears to be entering unhealthly stages.

And bedoya, while not good, was better than zusi, so why is he going to the bench?

You know who might be good on the outside of a diamond because, while not a burner anymore, he's excellent at making little runs and possession and at seeing creative passes? Me either.

 

This was my lineup I had on Wednesday, and I still want to see this.

Although Chandler at LB and Yedlin at RB would be interesting...

 

How do we know that Davis is starting?

 

If we are intent on playing the diamond (which is dangerous vs a 5 man midfield like Ghana) -- we are asking for trouble if we put on two relatively untested internationals like Davis and Zusi at the same time. Why not put our best players on at the same time?

The diamond could look like this:

Dempsey - Bradley - Bedoya
-------------Jones ------------

This would put our most experienced and tested internationals out there, those who have played in top class leagues and our well tested against top competition. Dempsey can play on the left and make creative plays by cutting inside.

All in all, the diamond is scary to use against top flight teams. I mean, 4 mids, only 1 true DM, lacking width and expecting our backs to provide wing service, is rather a demanding formation to play for our team. It sounds like a major risk, but JK seems intent on going balls to the wall, even if means crashing out playing offensive attacking footy. There appears to be no cautious approach here with JK, which is rather exciting but could mean a very short tourny.

 

Just by people reporting he was training with what was considered the first team. You never know with JK though

 

I want to see this at some point, not starting but at some time tomorrow or against Nigeria

Bacon ----- Demps
Bradley
Green --------------- Mix
Beckerman
Johnson Brooks Cameron Chandler
Howard​

 

I'm excited to see what this Green fella can do, don't leave him on the bench JK!

 

Here's my concern with Bradley shoved forward: he THRIVES on late runs out of the midfield. The goal versus Slovenia a prime example of this.

Other than the Mexico game - wanting to know if he can create when he's not bombing out of midfield. The first half of that game he was great - the 2nd half we got pressed and overwhelmed.

If Turkey comes out pressing (not what they did against Honduras) we could be in for some pain.

Here are some comments from JK on the diamond:
http://soccer.si.com/2014/05/31/world-cup-2014-jurgen-klinsmann-usa-usmnt-4-4-2-diamond-turkey/

 

My take is that at most only one of Bedoya, Zusi, or Davis should be on the field at any given time...

I would like to see the following for at least a half during the upcoming friendlies...

----------Altidore----------
Johannson--------- Mixx
---------Dempsey---------
-----Bradley---Jones-----
Johnson-Bester-Omar/GC--GC/TC (sigh)

4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid

Imagine the attacking potential

 

Didn't MB played that role in Roma?

 

me no like Johannson as winger

 

Roma mostly used a 4-3-3 when Bradley was there. He played each 3 positions in the midfield triangle.

 

I don't know about Green but I suppose is a friendly. I would do this...

Bacon ----- Demps
Bedoya
Green ---------------Bradley
Jones
Johnson Brooks Cameron Chandler
Howard​

Why Bedoya at the 10? because that is where he plays at Nantes, not always but a lot, besides him we have nobody else that has the experience in a top league. PLUS, he will give you a two way role, since we all know he can defend and run all day. Bradley used to play the outside right at Roma.

 

My Fifa 14 WC mode US team lol

http://www.futhead.com/14/worldcup/squads/12689786/

 

AJ, Bedoya, etc with Skills: 2. Hmm.. Dempsey is the only one with Skills: 4. We are screwed.

 

Davis earned himself more playing time for these upcoming friendlies after his showing against Azerbaijan. But not starters minutes.

 

johnson, cameron, and jozy have 3 but AJ with only 2 is criminal or the fact that jozy has more than him.

 

How many times do we have to see Bradley as a CAM to realize he's wasted there?