Can we trust Landon up top??

R E L A X


Almost everyone underestimates this guy.


He'll perform.

 

At the expense of possibly sounding heretical, it's not like he's Ronaldinho at AM, either. He'll do fine wherever we put him -- even though he's likely better at AM, the US team overall might be better if he's at withdraw striker.

 

I want him (badly) in midfield. His speed and work-rate make us much better in the middle of the field.

 

I'd rather have him up top than see McBride up there alone. We are a weak finishing team but Donovan, despite having missed some sitters, does a better job of jumping on the scraps than anyone on the team. What you should ask is "Can we trust Beasley on the right side of a box?"

Something tells me that Arena is going to get this wrong.

 

Then either Beasley or Convey sits. And Johnson must play.

 

he is famous for getting it right. He did not build 2 dynasties and carry up the US program by fcking up many big things.

 

could be

 

I don't worry about Landon, KK, or McBride.

Everybody else I worry about.

Landon up top seemed to work out pretty well last time around.

 

or 5 in the middle and man mark Koller with 3 in the back. Man-marking is only used with 3 in the back-so it COULD be a way to mark Koller with Gooch and get Landon Convey and Beaz on the field together.

 

I do not worry about Mastro, Gooch, Pope, Dolo, Reyna

 

as opposed to what? mcbride alone? yeah.

i sure hope youre insinuating wolff should start up top, otherwise thats some serious hating on landon. you think johnsons six month concacaf "domination" streak is a more reliable resume? ching?

cmon now...

 

Cool. But you go, what? Boca, Pope, Gooch? Two dmids, Reyna, Pablo. Lewis sits in favor of, whom? Convey? Or does Lewis play as a bookend? And he'll go ahead and use Cherundolo on the right. If he plays Beasley then Cherundolo sits? No.

Anyway, I'm sure that Landon can be trusted, as it were, but let's trust someone else, as well, and keep him in the hole.

Bruce, I really don't know if Arena has the guts to do it. No disrespect.

 

Yes. Did you watch the '02 Cup? He's better now.

 

Back on thread ... answer, 'no.'

BMB & EJ up top, LD not far behind. Let's take it to these guys!

No 4-5-1. No playing LD out of position. Let's impose our will on them. Hold on for the first 60 minutes, then make them look old and slow in the last half hour.

I see two basic approaches to group play:

1) DLW (maybe DDW) - 2nd Place (maybe) - Lose to Brazil (Round of 16) - Welcome home boys - 'Mission Accomplished' (to borrow a phrase).

2) WDW - 1st Place - Serious run through the knockout phase - keeping the dream alive. 'Mission Accomplished' when we're holding the Cup in our hands on July 9.

Let's win Game 1 and put the pressure on everyone else.

 

It's guys like you that have the USA at 10-1 to win the cup at the MGM (at least that's what ESPN showed). At least the odds are so ridiculous that it keeps me from betting with my heart.

Don't worry about Landycakes. The guy gets up for the big games. He'll represent. I've got my concerns too - mainly Beasley's form shows he should not start, but BA may anyway. And JOB doesn't seem fit if he didn't scrimmage against Angola (unless BA was too worried the fragile guy would break). We have options though. Namely, Convey, EJ, maybe Dempsey. Given what he's done so far. All faith has to go to BA's judgement. You may hate his starting lineup, but my guess is that its gonna work.

 

When called on to do so, Landon can finish. That, alone, is enough to consider playing him up top. If EJ's form isn't back, LD on top my be a good idea for the US-- we need goals.

 

Thanks! Are there reverse betting opportunities, i.e. can I 'short' the US at 1:10? If so, that's the way I'm betting, sorry.

My point is you go to a tournament to win it, realistic or not. Winning the group and avoiding Brazil improves my chances, so that's what I'm planning to do. If I have to change plans along the way, I will.

I refuse to start with the assumption that your team is better than my team. Certain formations and lineups send a very clear message. My message: "We're here to win the Cup! Good luck to you and may the best team win."

I don't like the 4-5-1. I don't like playing LD out of position. I don't like sitting EJ - how's he going to regain his scoring touch, or at least keep the Czech backs honest, if he's sitting on the bench?

Start EJ and play LD in his natural position.

 

The only way I'd want Lando up front is if JOB is in game shape. Reyna is locked as the holding mid, and there isn't anyone else other than JOB who can really hit the through balls that should be effective against the Czechs. With Landon in an AMid role, he'll have BMB as a target, which allows EJ to run free and have either Convey or Beasley making those slicing backside runs.

If only EJ was still preforming well and JOB wasn't limping off the field every other game....

 

Watched first half of Portugal '02 last night. Landon was very good, but I think you're right, he's better now.

But oh do I pine for the '02 Beasley. I haven't seen that guy for USMNT for quite a while now. I'd be delighted if we get the '02 version of Beasley, not one whit better.

 

DMB has to start for much the same reason EJ needs to start. These guys have to find the 'old magic' or we're flying home early. Let's not give up before the opening kickoff. If DMB starts on Monday, he'll play the game of his life.

 

I think he'll play like he did in the last WC ... like a man possessed.

Getting by that, what are the options? Wolff, Ching? I'll take Donavan and hope the "cloak of invisibility" he often wears was left in LA

 

He rarely gets it wrong - but I'm very afraid of a 2005 Mexico at Azteca type of gameplan - just seemed all wrong in the first half even from a strategic point of view (as opposed to simply performance)

 

I know that bumping one's self is normally shamlessly self-promoting but could I at least enjoy a bit of vindication? Just a bit?