Berhalter over Bocanegra surprised me. Berhalter should be available for the game against Germany, while Boca will not, so you'd think this would favor Boca starting this game. The rest of the line-up, with the exception of McBride's absence, looks like our best choices. Perhaps Arena rates Berhalter above Boca? EDIT: Looks like Martin beat me to "seconding" Ursula's post.
if anyone should have been benched for Dempsey it should have been Beasley. Not Convey. Guess we won't get a chance to see is his great form translates.
Exactly. Dolo instead of Hejduk, but otherwise this defense is identical to the one that shut Mexico down 6 months ago.
Convey'll sub in for Beasley, my guess around the 60' mark. My guess is Bruce is more confident in Convey right now for the WC than Dempsey; he wants to see if Deuce can do it against a Euro club, much like TT's situation.
Excellent lineup by DA Bruce... TT and Dempseys chance to prove they have really taken the next step vs a quality opponent. Also EJ starting kinda means he is fit and ready to play. I would of expected Wolff to start if Bruce still had doubts on EJ fitness or overall game. BMB has nothing to prove so no need playing him when not needed, yet.
McBride being given some rest. I don't know why folks don't like Berhalter, he's done well for us, he's more experienced than Bocanegra at the center back position. He does run kinda funny though. Dempsey with a big opportunity here. Zavagnin has also done well, not a big surprise.
I'll buy that. "Bubble" wasn't the best choice of words. How about, "Twellman, Dempsey, EJ, and Zags are leading contenders for 'open' spots on the 23 man roster, Bruce wants to see more games to judge consistency and make sure?"
Please. 1. Dempsey is as good a player as Convey and he slots more naturally into the open midfield position. Plus he has less experience, BA knows what Convey can do. Plus plus, Convey plays way more games than Dempsey and could use the rest. 2. McBride is tired based on what I saw last week. Playing him 45 minutes or less is a real smart move. What else are you up in arms about?
appoo, your lack of discernment is disappointing. - McBride just played on Sunday. - This is Bruce's only chance to see TT and EJ against a Euro side - McBride is a lock for Germany; the others are not (although they are very close) - Bruce himself has said the importance of this game lies not in the result but in the evaluation of players... yes, he's had a chance to evaluate TT, EJ, Z, and Dempsey in the domestic games, but this is something completely different - Bruce already knows all about McB, what he brings to the team, and how he fits in - McB will probably sub in - Overall, not a problem. In fact, good decision on Bruce's part.
1. no he's not. He does a few things better, but for the most part Convey is better. Dempsey has beat up on C and B teams. And no he doesn't. He's still deficient in tactical awareness and passing the ball, the two keys of that position. Why am I up in arms? because this is the only chance we get to see USA with the first team until the WC camp starts.
I can see you logic there. I guess the alternate logic might be: Beasley starts with dempsey because Arena really wants to see if Dempsey can handle the right wing and thus Arena starts Clint with most of the nominal starters. He can't help but start Zavagnin but Donovan and Beasley in their "normal" starting positions provides for a better reading of Clint's game. Remember Clint was with LD and DMB in the Gold Cup last summer so this game provides another stick to measure Dempsey's growth. Convey on the other hand doesn't have so much history with Dempsey.
I don't know. but this is annoying, it's out one shot at playing a European 1st team, and we aren't fielding out best team.
The Poles are missing more than us and TT and Johnson might be more talented than McBride. And Dempsey is a right-sided player which is BA's preference.
My bet is we see Convey as one of the first -- if not THE first -- sub of the game. I predict Convey in at 45'. The really interesting thing will be, does he come on for Beasley or for Dempsey? I think that may tell us something about how Bruce is thinking of using those three players in rotations/combinations.
once in a live telecaste, a bunch of extended highlite packages from the Reading website (they have these extended highlites for every match they play), and listened to him a bunch of times through Reasing telecastes. I have a pretty good idea of how he plays for Reading.
To add to my post: One of Arena's strengths as a coach (as opposed to his strengths at the dining table) is that he gets his players confident. You all just know that once the Nats get to their 1st game in germany that the tyeam will be full of confidence that they can win and and individually perform well. Part of that growing process though is making sure guys like Demspey and Twellman get that confidence and this game looks "Taylor" made for such a boost.
I haven't seen much berhalter lately, but I can say that I did see boca get wasted on the touchline in his last Fulham match. Hopefully, boca will sub at some point. Come on you Stars! Come on you Stripes!!
we are fielding the best team to measure the potential of key backup figures likely to see PT in the World Cup. At the same time, we are protecting some established and know quantities from injury. I like it.
even further, Eddie Lewis is in an absolute dog fight for Promotion with Leeds United, and he's been Leeds' best player. So why not rest him and play Spector? a young bubble player? An injury to Lewis would catastrophic for Leeds. This doesn't make sense
I agree with you that Twellman, Dempsey, EJ, and maybe Zags are on the inside looking out (i.e. probably gonna go, but something could happen between now and May). I also agree Arena will be very interested in how they perform. But, I do have a slight disagreement that Arena is starting these guys primarily to evaluate them. My take on this game is that Arena is playing the "A" team, unless there is an injury or exhaustion concern. So, Zags over Mastro because of Mastro's injury; Twellman over McBride because McBride is old, proven, can use the rest; the Dempsey/Beasley combo over the Beasley/Convey combo because Arena rates it higher, if only slightly, at this time. As others have noted, I'm sure we'll see Convey sub in at some point.