Pre-match: USA vs Turkey, June 1st

MB could play the outside of a diamond - he's played one of the outside mids in a 3 enough over the years - but we really don't have a better choice at "tip" of diamond - mostly because as long as MB is the "tip" we can convert on the fly from a 4-4-2 diamond to the 4-2-3-1 we are so used to.

CD can play striker or AM.
MB can play CM (not really AM, but something close) or RDCM
Zusi, Davis, Bedoya can be outside mids or wide mids.
Jozy can play solo or in a 2.

If MB if RM, for instance, who can play an AM and DCM role? Mix, maybe, although he does not cover nearly as much ground. Bedoya would be the other choice, but I think MB is the better use of talent centrally.

I think that article has it right suggesting this team will change on the fly from the 4-2-3-1 of qualifying to the 4-4-2 of late, depending.

 

I must admit that it is also hard for me to swallow that we have guys like Zusi, Davis and Bedoya to start and play important role in our starting 11....For some reason, we just haven't been able to produce the goods yet as a nation...I just hope that by next World Cup, we would have much credible players.

 

MB will never be your grandma's #10, he did help, with Mix, create the 1st goal in SF. I don't think he will ever be a traditional El Pibe, but he can get the ball to CD, Zusi, Jozy etc. with good reliability, and he can weight a seam pass as well as anyone on the team, and is very dangerous with his late runs.

We have the potential for more creativity coming from more places with team - in terms of creative distribution.

Fabio J can slice and dice, as can JJ, CD obviously, Mix as well. Aron has quick feet and was able to find openings at Az Jozy is a good passer, esp when he rolls out wide. I think when Jurgen puts MB at the top of the diamond, he willingly makes the trade of studied, creative ball distribution for work rate, consistency and enough creativity to make it worth the trade. My guess is the plan is for additional "#10 style distribution to come from CD, Zusi, Davis or Bedoya, FJ, even Chandler/Bease and Cameron.

 

That's not a problem, whoever is playing CAM can move to the right, and if Mike is RM, he can move back to CM/DM.

Bedoya and Mix can play that role fine, and Zusi too.

 

Not on the fly, that does not really work.

I agree both bodoya and Mix can play that role, question is who is best?

There is no reason, esp with CD as a true striker in a 2, that we need a traditional ACM. Mix, or Bedoya for that matter, can play that role from one of the outside slots. In fact, if you have Bradley as the terrier in the midfield, and CD as a "playmaking striker" it could/should work to have a more AM style on the other side of the field from Clint. A bedoya or mix would do fin.

 

I'm going to say what seems to be heresy on this thread. Davis is very underrated. His decision making is very good. His athleticism isn't that bad. He won't be starting in Brazil but he will get a good amount of playing time. I predict at least one crucial goal coming off his delivery.

 

Hey guys, forgive me if there is a better place to post this but does anyone know what channel the match will be available on European TV? I've been searching for days with no luck. Thanks!

 

BT Sport 2

http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/live-football-on-bt-sport-S11376627423099

 

I know we all like to call it a "CAM" but in our setup, the top of the diamond position will be asked to relentlessly press, play direct attacking passes once the ball is won and make late runs into the box.

This position was made for Michael Bradley.

 

Me no like Bedoya, Davis, Suzi as starters much more.

Seriously though, I don't think we have two quality players (that aren't being used in other positions) that match the skill set of a winger at the International level as much as Johannson or Mix.

If we would have Parkhurst, I wouldn't see a problem putting him behind Johnson on the left. Otherwise, backline...

 

Going to church and recording the game. Are we 100% sure this game won't be moved to another ESPN channel?

I'm a little gun shy.....born from experience

 

Nah just preempted by a AAA baseball game or a USSSA softball game going extra innings.

 

Just take an iPad and headphones into church. Problem solved.

 

I want to see Green, Mix, Beckerman, Johannsson, and Chandler get the start.

-----------Altidore----Johannsson-------
------------------Bradley-------------------
-------Green------------------Diskerud----
-----------------Beckerman----------------
Johnson--------------------------Chandler
--------------Besler-----Cameron--------
---------------------Howard---------------

Subs:
Dempsey (Johannsson) 46
Jones (Beckerman) 46
Zusi (Diskerud) 60
Bedoya (Green) 60
Brooks (Besler) 70
Yedlin (Chandler) 80

 

Just remember that the two stars of this game 4 years ago were Jose Torres and Robbie Findley. Let's keep the expectations reasonable.

 

Mix as a winger would be an epic mistake.

People think Zusi is slow but think Mix has the traits necessary to run at defenses from RM?

Pretty sure I've seen Zusi go at a fast Jamaican defender 1v1 (Woodbine) off the dribble and put in a cross which was finished by Altidore in a WCQ. I've also seen it more than a couple times in MLS play (yes, I know this isn't the "international level.")

Huh.

If you want to put Mix on the right side of the diamond, fine, but cutting inside is his forte, his attributes aren't made for wing play even in the slightest.

Also, people are underselling Bedoya's skillset here. Am I the only one who thought he looked pretty good against Azerbaijan? He was rated as the 6th best player (out of 17) in that game and had a very good first half. Sure he wilted in the second but I attribute that to heavy legs from training. This guy gets no love..

 

Ha, this is a fantastic post.

 

I respectfully disagree with almost everything in this post, Except the playing time, unfortunately.

 

If Ghana's defense is what was seen yesterday against Netherlands, I don't have a problem with Davis starting. Let's see what he does against Turkey (if he really is starting) and go from there. JK may start Green... you never know...

 

I definitely think Green should start. If he's ready to go to the World Cup then he should be ready to start in a friendly against Turkey.

 

If we're going with Davis and Zusi on the wings, I have to wonder if maybe our coaching staff has concluded that at least one of our opponents (Ghana's?) GK and backline don't deal well with crosses.

 

I don't understand why JK has created this problem for himself. He's forcing people to do things we're not sure they can, in order to preserve Jozy up top and a few of the other selections, when these things are creating more questions all over the field.

not ideal, and a moot point besides, but what if?

-----------Dempsey---------

Bedoya-------LD---------Zusi


----------JJ--------MB---------

FJ-----Besler----Cameron------Chandler


--------------Howard----------------


LD is able to run the attack from that spot and create, he could have interchanged with both bedoya and Zusi and even switch a bit with Dempsey. He defends. Our likely best outside backs are played where they are best, and MB isn't forced to play a more advanced role all game long. I realize the that supposedly Dempsey isn't good with his back to the goal but I would trade that for him and LD to be combining and creating. And he's more on form than Jozy at the moment.

Anyway, my two cents:

 

Bad omen there.

I think we will see the lineup they practiced with.

I suspect Green, Brooks, and Beckerman will get in this time. Probably Diskerud, AJ, and Bedoya also.

I'm hoping Guzan gets this game, then back to Howard for Nigeria. Getting Brad one game with the backline would be smart.

Edit: Chandler needs minutes at LB if that really is where JK is playing him. So he gets in as well, and one of the offensive subs doesn't happen I guess.

 

Would like to see:

---------------------------Howard
----Chandler-----Cameron-----Gonzo-----Johnson
----------------------------Jones
-------------Bedoya---------------------Bradley
---------------------------Dempsey
--------------------AJ---------------Green

More likely to see:

-------------------------Howard
---Johnson-----Cameron-----Besler-----Chandler
---------------------------Jones
----------------Zusi------------------Davis
--------------------------Bradley
------------------Dempsey----Altidore

 

Please no broken legs.