This is going to be really interesting. 1) Trivia question: How many matches has Bruce Arena won against a European team on European soil after he took over following the debacle of WC98? One, Poland. No shrinking violet, but not Italy either. Of course we beat Portugal in 02, but that doesn't count. Clearly these matches at Scotland and Norway are meant to provide confidence playing in front of a passionate European crowd. 2) I think both sets of fans actually underestimate the strength of the opposition. How many SPL matches does the average American watch? And how many of those are Old Firm games? I used to watch Rangers when Reyna was there, but that's about it. Your average fan has no clue who the Hibs players are, and if they do it's because of Championship Manager. 3) A lot will depend on who Arena brings. If it's the USA "A" team it's going to be a game that's too close to call. I give the edge to Scotland due to point 1 above. If Arena decides he wants to try out some new faces, forget about it. 3-1 Scotland.
With the squad announced for this game here is a possible team. Gordon in goal obviously. Three centre backs, Anderson, Gary Caldwell and Webster. I think it being a friendly Weir and Pressley shouldn't play for age/shitiness reasons. So thoughts of the future here. Murray and Alexander as full backs giving width in midfield. Fletcher, Quashie and Hartley in the heart of midfield, pushing forward. Let the defenders defend. Mcfadden and O'Connor up front. So 3-5-2 if you like. I'm giving barry ferguson a rest for this one only.
----------------------Gordon---------------------- --Alexander----Webster-----Pressley----Murray--- ---Fletcher----------Quashie-----------Hartley--- ---Maloney----------O'Connor----------McFadden-- Paul Hartley's got a hamstring injury so Ferguson might play afterall. If not that would be my team.
Since Hartley might not make it why not give Pearson a shot? He has the speed to get up and down the pitch. Just a thought.
That's a shame that Hartley is injured. Don't think Pearson is in the squad. But ferguson to play is fine by me. Cannot believe that people having been slagging him off ! Would like to see a few of these youngsters people say are good coming on as sub. Have never seen scott brown, for instance, play. Is he good and what is his best position ?
The U.S. are a very good team, their only problem is strength in depth at international level or rather the majority of U.S. player's lack of experience at international level. Not enough of their 'club' sides get to play in the American continental equivilent of European competitions. The other thing is the MLS play-offs are reaching a climax at the moment so players from NE Revolution or Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids or LA Galaxy won't be available, the likes of Twellman, Noonan, Dempsey, Donovan etc. these blokes can play. However, European based players O'Brien 'is he fit', Reyna, Beasley, Keller should all be playing. As a Limey who watches a lot of MLS I say the Scots could be in for a very tough time if anything like a U.S. first team squad turns up.
I doubt that Ferguson will start the game....not with 2 Old Firm game's coming up and also the Champs League. It is too much to risk....
Bruce Arena is bricking it and has delayed his 'roster' announcement until tomorrow. Just shows what a complete bunch of amateurs they are, if the MLS Cup and a few injuries is causing so much chaos. Surely he should have prepared for all of these eventualities? Looks like he will need to cobble a random central midfield within the next 24 hours. Anyone want to take bets on whether Team USA will even bother to show up at Hampden?
Your right about the central mid part, there is no one available (due to playoffs/final) or healthy (Reyna, JOB both injured). The defense should be ok and will provide a good test for your offense, but like you mentioned our attack won't be up to par and will likely not cause too much trouble. I doubt the match will be terribly exciting.
Not at all, since it doesn't do anything for us. We don't need to play you and I would have much rather played another European side in preparation for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. What I don't like is being completely messed around in regard to your potential sham of a side. All it does is cheat the fans and particularly your fans making the trip. It's a complete waste and will just be a farce of a match.
You aren't still ornery from the weekend are you? That must have been hard after being a goal up and everything
You do know that just because he hasn't announced it doesn't mean they haven't already been called over, right? I mean Chris Rolfe is already on his way, from some reports, so the boys know and are getting right now to take on the Scots. What's the problem?
The USA squad will probably be just as prepared as us, albeit with them missing a few players for various reasons. Caldwell, O'Conner, Riordan, Brown, Smith, Anderson, Esson, Ferguson, Murray and Maloney all have midweek cup games. So presummably the squad wont meet till thursday and might not get to train fully until friday. I also expect guys like Fletch, Ferguson, Maloney etc wont be playing the full 90 minutes. So it will be quite experimental for both sides.
He's been out for too long. He's one of a number of good young players who I hope progress to that level but he hasn't shown enough yet. There are a few young players who play in similar positions who deserve a go ahead of Pearson, Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson spring to mind.