I know I am getting ahead with myself on doing this, but hey, what can I say, I'm excited. Howard Cherundolo Berhalter Bocanegra Pope Donovan Mastroeni Beasley Convey Twellman Mathis Perhaps there's alot of youth in the midfield, but I think hate to leave out anyone of them. I think it's time to see what Twellman can do against quality opponets in meaningful games. The defense is kind of a coin toss. I tend to think BA should put experience in the defense but, as you might have guessed ......I'm not him. I liked what Convey did against Wales and I liked what I saw with him in the center mid. (I want to see it again) I chose Mastroeni over Armes just because I think he does the same job defensively, but is more exciting then Armes on the attack. And Finally I think Donovan is much more dangerous in the midfield because he has so much more space.
I like your lineup, SoccerSt, but if I may I'd like to switch Heydude for Cherundolo at RB. Just think that he's been more consistent than Cherundolo. I do like the idea of putting Donovan in the midfield, but I might prefer him in central midfield rather than on the right flank. Nevertheless, IMHO his best position is at forward. I also give a slight edge to Armas over Mastroeni at DM, but it's not a big deal. Here's my lineup for the Confed Cup: GK-Howard RB-Hejduk CB-Pope CB-Berhalter LB-Bocanegra DM-Armas RM-Klein LM-Beasley AM-Convey F-Mathis F-Donovan Our main subs; Cherundolo, Mastroeni, Lewis, Stewart & Twellman.
...........................Howard ...Cherundolo...Pope(c)...Bocanegra...Vanney ......................Mastroeni/Armas ....Klein............................................Lewis .........................Donovan ............................................Beasley .................Mathis
Is Klein a posibility as a right back? I know he is normally in the mid, but he strikes me as a very good candidate.
I don't think he would get a chance at right back unless Hejduk and Cherundolo were both suspended/injured. However, he does have a lot of the attributes that Arena looks for in a flank defender: big, strong, good going forward.
........................Howard......................... Churundolo....Pope.....Berhalter...Bocanegra Lewis..........................................Beasley ...............Martino........Convey................ .......Donovan....................Mathis............
Mantino huh.....thats interesting. I honestly never even considered him. If you don't mind.....please explain.
Re: Re: Ideal Line-up for Confederations Cup!!! Why even try with Brazil? Anyways, here's my first choice lineup -------------Howard Cherundolo-Pope-Boca-Vanney ------------Mastro Beasley-------------Lewis ------------Convey -------Donovan--Mathis
...................hahnemann ...............pope........berhalter cherundolo...........................bocanegra .....................mastroeni ......LD.............convey............lewis ...........mathis..............twellman with good minutes for DMB, vanney, klein and kirovski
-----------Howard------------- Hejduk ----- Pope ----- Vanney ----- Mastro --- Armas ------- Convey ---- Donovan --- Beasley ------ Mathis ---- Twellman ---- 1st off the bench is Martino for Convey, or for Twellman with Donovan moving up and KM taking over center mid. ** playing Beasley and Lewis at the same time is a decent option, but I don't expect it to happen. Convey, Martino, and Twellman need to get some PT *** Bruce needs to find a way to get both Mastro and Armas on the field. play 3 in the back, with 2 D mids, or simply move Mastro back.
Why play with two dmids? Mastro and Armas are going to kill what little possession we're already goin to be giving away. Nothing like absorbing pressure the whole match, huh?
------Howard------ Cherundolo--Pope---Berhalter---Bocanegra ----------Mastroeni--------- ---Klein-----------Beasley-- --------Convey------- Donovan------Mathis Either that, or put Donovan in Klein's position, and put in Kirovski as the other striker. He may gel with Mathis. They both have great vision.
I don't see it that way. There isn't any real difference playing a 3-5-2 with 2 D-mids than a 4-4-2 with 1 D-mid. If it makes you happier to call Mastro a central defender than a D-mid in this system, that's okay, but I don't know that there would be any substantive difference in how the positioning plays out in a game.
i'd rather see a 3-5-2 with two defensive mf's. To get Twellman some playing time, which he deserves, and to keep both Mathis and LD on the field too Donovan has to be pushed back to the midfield and if he is on the right side has a alot more space to create and use his speed. A midfield of LD, Convey and Beasley would be incredibly fast. And why not try putting Klein with Mastroeni in the defensive midfield? This formation would also be able to push LD up top and go with a 4 man box midfield if need be. I know Bruce won't do this but it's a thought. Howard Heyduk Pope Bocanegra Klein Mastroeni Donovan Convey Beasley Mathis Twellman
Because they play on the 19th and 21st, I think you are going to pretty much see everyone play in the first 2 games. Whoever is on the bench for Turkey, will play vs. Brazil. I think only the top players like Donovan, and Pope will play both games. This is what I can see happening: Howard 'dolo Pope Boca Hejduk Klein Mastro Donovan Beasley Mathis Twellman Howard Hejduk-Pope-Berhalter-Vanney Stewart Armas Convey Lewis Donovan Kirovski
Re: Re: Re: Ideal Line-up for Confederations Cup!!! With Brazil - I actually agree with you but I think for different reasons. If the US does well against the CBF in this tournament it will be because they will be conservative in this match and exploit any Brazil weakness on the wings. Also, mentally I know that Parreira will be looking to score goals. As a result - I would expect for Brazil to be a bit disorganized (half the team will be domestic). That is the main reason (IMO) why Parreira put in a relatively experienced back defensive line with Lucio and Roque Jr. - to experiment offensively and not get burned too much with the counter attack or opposition's set-up. However... Adriano I see giving the US problems. He's just such a powerful striker and being serviced from Ronaldinho Gaucho will only help him. Brazil will be playing with Emerson - and I bet the pace will be a bit slower. On a side I am still disappointed not to see Pernambucano. This is the time for US younger players to shine. Anyway, just my perspective on it. I think it will be a pretty competitive match and the US could get a positive result if they play smart.
I completely agree with you on this one, I was about to post the exact same thing before I read this. The first lineup looks top-notch, with the exception of Twellman, I would have to speculate that his performance against NZ, should he play, will dicatate the amount of time and at what level (starter/bench). Other than that, I see those lineups almost dead-on accurate for the Confed. Cup. Can't wait!
.......................Howard....................... Cherundolo..Pope(c).Berhalter..Bocanegra ......Stewart....Mastroeni....Lewis........... ................Donovan..Beasley................ ......................Mathis......................... I honestly don't think that a defensive midfielder is necessary as it normally acts as another defender in a 3-5-2. I'd much rather develop the talents of both Martino and Convey who are IMHO the future of US Soccer (along with a certain 13 year old). I hear your requests for a more competitive/expeirienced eleven. I don't think though that either Armas or Maestro will have much to add in '06. Likewise that is why Hejduk is not included. Lewis, Pope and in this line up Stewart can serve as leaders.
I agree. I think is will be a question of Mastro or Armas but not both. Personally I like both but if I had to choose I would go with Mastro just because I think he covers more ground and is better with the ball. Armas has an edge with doing the dirty work of tackling and hard hitting necessary to strip the ball and give a little message, but does any one remember how fustrating Blanco got with Mastro. Mastro is that fly that never goes away. My pick.....Mastro. (but with 3 games in such a short amount of time, they well switch off) -Emiliano Go U.S.