I like it and it seemed to work but why not Donovan as center forward? That is his top position. You have Dempsey or Obrien who can play attacking midfield. You can have Obrien and Mastroeni behind Donovan. ...........................Keller.............................. ................................................................. Cherundolo............Pope..............Bocanegra.... .................................................................. ........................Mastoreni............................ Ralston.....................................Convey/Lewis ..........................Obrien.............................. ................................................................. Johnson..............Donovan...........Beasley........
Ralston didn't have it together against Costa Rica. Sometimes he's alright, sometimes not. I like Frankie out there, but i'm sure a lot don't agree with that option either.
I did not see us playing a 3-4-3 at any time yesterday. The only 3-4-3 I saw was the graphic ESPN showed us. It looked pretty much like a 4-4-2 to me.
I'd call their formation a "3.5 - 4 - 2.5". The left side of the field "drooped" a bit, with Convey coming back a lot to help defensively and Beasley dropping back into the midfield. Convey wasn't really playing left back, but he wasn't really playing a true wing mid either. As for Ralston, please tell me what other options we have at right mid? That and left back are still the two holes on the US squad.
The formation will change quite a bit, I think, with the return of our three best DMF's in Reyna, O'Brien, and Mastro. If any two of them are on the field, three back isnt a bad idea against the better teams.
----------------------Keller -------Gibbs--------Mastoreni------Bocanegra ---------------------Reyna Beasley----------Dempsy/O'Brien-----------Lewis ---------------------Donovan ----------Johnson---------------McBride
And yet . . . Ralston was one of the few players with ANY impact against England. Why is everyone down on him?
Pope was as effective Captain Ahab against an England C-Team. I hope we NEVER see him in the middle again against a quality team. Embarassing.
I think Beasley and Convey were pushed forward at the start. The same way we were unbalanced to the right against England our left side was leaning forward against Costa Rica. After we scored I think they dropped back into more of a normal 4-4-2 (85 minutes of the game). Which was why Convey got the start I think.
I am not ready to write off Pope. As bad as he was against England, he played well against CR. Before his injuries he was one of our best backs.