Concerns as we face Jamaica

A win would be historic, only because it hasn't been done. But we are the better team. It shouldn't be a milestone victory

If JK is going to walk the walk, he shouldn't be starting. He has been pretty consistent in playing only in-form (or at least in-game shape) players, with the exception of MB vs. Mexico last August.

See above regarding Dempsey. Same applies to Boca, though I would expect him to start.

I think in Kingston, it makes sense to play Beckerman (unless Edu is pushed out of the D by Boca).

How about an out of game shape Dempsey off the bench?

I think he already has.

I think both games will be conservative. JK really hasn't given any indication that he is going to attack (despite what comes out between his lips). The defense 1st has been his MO.

 

1. Cool. I think we'll finally take 3 points here.

2. Clint will likely be there. Will he start? Don't know, but if put on the spot, I'd say yes.

3. Cameron will be a starter. The experiment with Edu was interesting. Based on JK's past tendency, I would have expected Boca to be called for the Mexico game (why the hesitancy to pull him away from 4th division Scotland?). Was it a sign of what's to come or JK finally testing out two new CBs in tandem? Tough to say.

4. I still can't get on board with what people like about Beckerman. His speed is awful, and if he migrates upfield at all, we're in big trouble on a counter because he can't get back. I also think he plays too soft, not pressing the ball because he's afraid to get beat (again because of lack of speed). Hard to imagine that we won't see 3 holding mid types - Bradley and Jones are locks. If Edu slides to CB, I see JK preferring Torres over Beckerman for the last spot in midfield.

5. Yeah. I think Jozy will finally get the start. Gomez is a likable player that fights hard, but Jozy is at a much higher level physically and skill wise. Hopefully he can bring some of those goals he's been scoring to the nats.

6. Brek Shea seems most likely. If Dempsey doesn't start, I also agree he may be a 65th min sort of option.

7. I think he'll be here.

8. I think we'll continue to see a conservative start in the first game especially. If the defense looks sound, I expect us to slowly try and open up the match. I know JK has stressed strong defense so far, but I really think he's waiting for the moment to become more attacking. It seemed for a long time that JK was totally unwilling to bring in a "B" squad or try totally experimental lineups, even in friendlies. And then we tried a brand new CB pairing in Azteca. I think JK is being very cautious in picking spots to introduce new things. I think at some point, we will drop one of the 3 holding mids and play more aggressively, and I'm thinking that the second game against Jamaica might be when we start to see it.

 

I expect Jamaica to be balls out in the first match in Kingston (heat/home crowd etc). They will push for a win and I think be disappointed with a tie, as they treat this match as their 'Super Bowl'. We are deeper, and hopefully, use our depth for an easy win in Columbus.

 

Road qualifiers are NEVER easy, despite the conventional wisdom on BS. This will be a dogfight no matter what, but the friendly in Azteca should have prepared our guys for that. I will be satisfied if we come out of this with a tie.

I agree with you guys that Dempsey off the bench isn't a bad idea. If we have other guys in form, we don't need him to get a result.

I hope so. It will be interesting to see what will happen, though. Will Klinsi bring in Boca?

I think Beckerman has looked really strong in MLS, and this is the type of match that plays to his strengths. I wouldn't even bring in Torres for this match. Jones should do well in these conditions, and Donovan (if healthy... he hasn't played at all since the first half of the Mexico match) should be good as well. I'm not a fan of Williams. Shea has looked a little better of late, and Klinsi seems to favor him, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some time.

I've been advocating moving Donovan up top with Altidore (or even with Dempsey in certain situations). He has looked great paired with Keane, and I think at this stage in his career, the team benefits from saving his legs a little. For the past 6 years, he's started in the midfield, and moved up top late in matches. It might be interesting to switch that tactic around a little.

Feilhaber and Adu? Really? Have you seen their recent form? I wouldn't mind seeing Pontius, but I think it's unlikely. Bruin? Not impressed. Wondo is more dangerous than any of these guys.

Chandler's not coming in for this one. As cleansheet says, he's already decided.

Jamaica will play a high-pressure, extremely physical match, and we should respond by playing like we did against Mexico. The pitch will be horrible, and favor bigger, faster, less skilled players. We should defend, allow Jamaica to get stretched, and then beat them with the counter. Most important, they will get ALL the calls... even if they are initiating the physical play. We need to take it easy and just try to survive.

Nothing. We know how these away qualifiers play out. My expectations are (obviously) minimal. If we can steal three points on this one, it will be a huge deal. If we get one, we will have done our job.

 

Hopefully, they will honor Usain Bolt at halftime of the match for his gold. Worked well for Mexico.

 

yes, that was post 2008 and jamaica honored alltheir olympic heros

and ran sge off the pitch

basic problem the ivo van damme meet is in brussels thatr day, and it's the finals of the diamond league

would bolt bypass that

ALSO JAMAICA HAS NEVER BEATEN USA, EVEN AT HOME

 

BOLT PLAYS CRICKET NOT SOCCER...

 

last on this threadjack - too early to get off topic, but here were some prominent track guy to try another sport:

 

except yoham blake is a better soccer player and beat bolt at 100m and 200m at the jamaican trials in june before bolt took his vitamins for london

put bolt a t wr, and have him go over the middle....

bolt would be off side all game...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hayes

 

Some of these I'm not worried about. Despite his blunder on that sitter against Guatemala, Altidore has to be the starter for this type of road match. Especially since Howard long ball to Jozy Altidore is preferable to Howard long ball to Jermaine Jones.

I think in reward for his performance 2 weeks ago, Brek Shea will likely fill the role of attacking supersub.

Stylistically, I expect what we saw against Guatemala. All else being equal, I would expect the exact starting XI against Jamaica as the XI seen in the 2nd half against Guatemala with Cameron and Altidore in.

Bocanegra, Edu and Dempsey are the major personnel worries, unless injury worries pop up. Beckerman is a certain replacement if one of these three can't start, if more have to miss I would expect Orozco Fiscal, Goodson, Castillo, Torres or Williams to contend for these other starting XI spots.

I don't expect Chandler. I don't see anything different in September from the previous 15 US matches he has skipped.

 

When is the last time US played same CONCACAF team twice in WCQ during international break? Don't think it happened in 2010 or 2006 cycle. Kind of interesting dynamic.

 

well then its bound to happen at some point.

 

D'oh.

 

i think edu is fine, based on azteca result

i agree with concern on boca, i'd be happy with camero and edu against jamaica

dempsey off thr bench is fine, even if it's 15 minutes down there, but i'd go with 30 in ohio...

it's on the road so i'd sit jones and beckerman and bradley in midfield

and if chandler plyas flip johnson to right back

i do have concerms with donovan going 90 too

i might just go bolyd up top, and have altidore undernetah if landon is questionable

 

I could never see altidore playing underneath boyd.

I just dont see it.

 

1. The USA has never won a qualifier at Jamaica, obtaining ties in the three previous qualifiers there. July 24th, 1988, June 16, 2001 and most recently August 18th, 2004.



REPLY: I'd expect JK to play for a tie. Classic road behavior, and JK has a wealth of European club cup and qualifier experience as a player. Plus, he been more conservative in fact than he has been when talking about soccer. All in all, a tie on the road is a good outcome and really puts tremendous pressure on Jamaica.

2. What might be the status of Clint Dempsey? He is certainly a key player for us and not currently training/performing with a club team. I expect he will be there, what might we expect out of him?



REPLY: I'd expect Dempsey to come off the bench at Jamaica and start the following home match, after training with the US for a week+.


3. The Center back position and it's transition to Brazil '14 has been a concern for a while with the aging/experienced players needing to be replaced upgraded. Geoff Cameron looked great vs Mexico and Maurice Edu looked decent. Might this pairing be continued?



REPLY: I expect Cameron to start, and have an 85% expectation that Boca will also start. Boca isn’t that long removed from the 5-game series in May and June and he is the Captain. His leadership and experience will be useful in a road qualifier, and he is match fit, even if at a lower quality level. But I’m not sure at all that Boca’s track record can hold his starting spot for him into October and beyond if he stays at Rangers.

4. Certainly, we can expect Michael Bradley to be available to anchor the midfield. Who will be the other participants. Most noted Torres, Jones, Williams and Donovan struggled in the recent friendly against Mexico. Is Kyle Beckerman a legitimate option when all players are available?


REPLY: Bradley and Jones are fairly certain CM starters. I think on the road JK will also have a designated #6 behind them, either Beckerman or Edu, whoever looks better in training. Edu’s athleticism would seem more logical vs an athletic opponent like Jamaica, but JK does also like Beckerman. I don’t think Torres starts against a physical team like Jamaica, and Torres also didn’t impress in the last friendly. Donovan will start if he is fit, especially if Dempsey is used as a sub, and that’s probably the 4th of 5 midfield spots. The interesting issue will be who the 5th middy is: Shea or Williams are the top two I bet. Depends on how conservative JK wants to begin at Jamaica.


5. There has been a lot of uncertainty at our forward position. Is this the opportunity to unleash our human battering ram and match up nightmare, Jozy Altidore? I sure hope so.


REPLY: JK obviously likes both Gomez and Boyd. But Boyd isn’t starting a qualifier on the road. It’s either Gomez, the recent #1 striker, or Altidore, the prior #1. Jozy has the hot hand and the physical presence JK will want at Jamaica, so I think he starts. But JK will play 2 forwards at home, either Jozy+Gomez or Jozy +Dempsey.


6. Most posters here have observed a lack of recent game changing options called in who provide something coming off the bench. Who might be called in who could be effectively utilized as a game changer? Feilhaber? Adu? or a surprise like Pontius or Bruin? Any other players called in not utilized recently? Lichaj?


REPLY: JK isn’t changing his pattern now and calling in a skilled play-making midfielder like Adu or Feilhaber. He’ll have the likes of Dempsey, Gomez, Boyd, and maybe Shea on the bench at Jamaica, plus a worker like Zusi or a possession guy like Torres. That’s already more attacking options than JK usually brings along!


7. Tim Chandler, will he finally make his mind up?


REPLY: I hope the guy comes and ends this saga. He’s too useful a player to give up on already. But nobody really knows until we see the actual callups.


8. What kind of style will we play vs Jamaica at their place? Will it change for the return match?
I am hoping to be aggressive and attacking in both games.


REPLY: Very conservative opener at Jamaica. 4-5-1 with 3 or 4 CM/DM types in midfield. A bit more attack-minded in the return leg on Sept 11, with 2 or at least 1.5 forwards (Dempsey as the tweener forward).


9. These will be critical qualifiers for both the United States and Jamaica on route to the hex. What might be revealed about our style and character?



REPLY: Style and character? Pragmatic and results-oriented. Probably a sound choice during qualifiers.

 

Based on all this, I would fully expect Williams to start, especially if Shea is the other option in Kingston.

 

1. The USA has never won a qualifier at Jamaica, obtaining ties in the three previous qualifiers there. July 24th, 1988, June 16, 2001 and most recently August 18th, 2004.

I never think road qualifiers are easy. How did the recent trip to Guatemala go? Too many USA fan boys who disregard the other teams on BS for my taste. A draw will be a positive result. A loss puts us in danger. I expect JK to be conservative. A win is just gravy. Plus, Jamaica might not be too upset with a draw either, especially since Guatemala already got a point vs the USA at home.

2. What might be the status of Clint Dempsey? He is certainly a key player for us and not currently training/performing with a club team. I expect he will be there, what might we expect out of him?

I don't expect Dempsey to start. Though I think he'll be on the squad. Maybe he starts the home match if he looks good in training and looks like he can go '90. JK is a fitness freak.

3. The Center back position and it's transition to Brazil '14 has been a concern for a while with the aging/experienced players needing to be replaced upgraded. Geoff Cameron looked great vs Mexico and Maurice Edu looked decent. Might this pairing be continued?

I expect Cameron to partner Boca. Boca's experience and savvy haven't left him. He'll be OK, or at least himself. Though the lack of foot-speed could be a detriment. Goodson will be the #3 option. And, I think, possibly Parkhurt/Edu for the last spot.

4. Certainly, we can expect Michael Bradley to be available to anchor the midfield. Who will be the other participants. Most noted Torres, Jones, Williams and Donovan struggled in the recent friendly against Mexico. Is Kyle Beckerman a legitimate option when all players are available?

JK's refusal to play Jones at his natural DM position (or Jones' refusal to play there) is the one thing really holding us back offensively. Well, other than playing Williams and Zusi out of position at RM all the time. But I expect both Jones and Bradley to play dual CM's with a DM behind them, be it Beckerman or Edu. I WANT Jones (or Williams) to play DM, with Bradley + a more offensive option (Torres, Feilhaber, Kljestan, Dempsey, Donovan, etc) next to or in front of Bradley, but I've just about given up hope.

5. There has been a lot of uncertainty at our forward position. Is this the opportunity to unleash our human battering ram and match up nightmare, Jozy Altidore? I sure hope so.

I fully expect Jozy to start as the lone forward. Possibly Donovan or Gomez underneath him, or, more likely, 2 CM types (Bradley, Jones, Torres).

6. Most posters here have observed a lack of recent game changing options called in who provide something coming off the bench. Who might be called in who could be effectively utilized as a game changer? Feilhaber? Adu? or a surprise like Pontius or Bruin? Any other players called in not utilized recently? Lichaj?

I saw Feilhaber play last week in MLS, and he played pretty well. I don't expect Benny or Adu to be called, however, and I'm not sure their play over the course of the season merits it. Of course, neither did Shea's, and he got called and made something happen last time. I hope Pontius gets called, but I think it will be Dempsey, Shea, Gomez, Torres, and Boyd as the offensive options on the bench. I'd love to see Gatt called, but it won't happen. Too early.

7. Tim Chandler, will he finally make his mind up?

I think he will and I think he'll be there. Fingers crossed. If he does, then I expect Johnson to play in midfield. Dolo & TC at outside backs, and Johnson at LM (or maybe even centrally next to Bradley & ahead of a DM).

8. What kind of style will we play vs Jamaica at their place? Will it change for the return match?
I am hoping to be aggressive and attacking in both games.

Like I said in #1. A loss puts us in trouble, and Jamaica are fast an athletic on the counter. I expect a cautious approach away and more attacking at home.

IF Chandler plays, I expect JK to go: Howard; Dolo, Cameron, Boca, Chandler; Donovan, Edu, Bradley, Jones, Johnson; Altidore. I'd prefer Jones at DM, and a more attacking savvy player next to Bradley, or another striker, but I'm not holding my breath.

9. These will be critical qualifiers for both the United States and Jamaica on route to the hex. What might be revealed about our style and character?[/quote]

Nothing we don't already know. Work hard, play solid. If we get four point from these two games, we'll be sitting on 8 with a home game against Guatemala and away to Antigua & Barbuda left on the schedule. If we get less than 4, another slip could be fatal.

 

You are probably right. After the other road draw, there might be some pressure to get something better just to say JK is doing as well as BB and Arena did, but JK is smart and since the top two qualify, a draw in this game is OK.