Integrading the Euro boys If the US had to play a qualifier in two weeks against a challenging opponent such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras etc. who would Arena pick? Assume the following: 1) The team has time to gel and jet lag wouldn't be an issue 2) Players hurt or not in form wouldn't be selected. This includes Reyna, Obrien, Sanneh, Pope, Wolff, Armas etc. 3) The US is in a must win situation (for example US vs Jamaica in Foxboro during the Hexagonal). Arena seems to favor the 4-4-2. My best guess at Arena starting 11: ---------------McBride----Donovan --------------------Stewart ----Lewis-----------------------------Klein --------------------Mastroeni Bocanegra-----Berhalter----Califf-----Hejduk --------------------Friedel 7 available subs: Keller Beasley Cherundolo Convey Mathis JMM Mulrooney Missing the cut: Vanney Cunningham Twellman Barrett Garcia
Howard Hejduk - Bocanegra - Califf - Cherundulo Beasley - Mastroeni - Donovan - Olsen Mathis - Cunningham This is definetly a put together, positive that everyone on this list can make it to the game, starting line-up. McBride would probably not be available due to Everton commitments, so unfortunately you go with the Great MoHawk, and the Dribbling Frenzy up top and hope they connect. I cant put Twellman in there b/c frankly I just dont think he is up to the level of International Play yet. Olsen definetly goes wide and stays there, I give him the go card and tell him to run his balls off up and down the sideline all game, same for Beasley. Califf is sketchy in the back b/c of his lack of acceleration and speed, but he really has no backup in definite position to be at this game, unless you take Ryan Suarez who Arena doesnt seem to favor ( I personally say give Jim ' The IRon " Curtin a shot ). Still question Mathis's game fitness but this is what I feel is the best possible 100% definetly available line-up.
I doubt Stuart will ever suit up for the US again. He had a fairly weak WC and he's now entered the Retirement League with DC United. SInce he has no chance of playing four years from no, why cap him again.
Stuart? I don't think Califf has moved that far up the depth chart yet. My picks: Keeper: can't go wrong. Backs: with all of the injuries, I think you've got to pair Berhalter and Bocanegra in the middle. Cherundolo would have a good shot out right, and since I moved Boca to the middle, Frankie might go outside left on the basis of experience rather than current form. Midfield: has to be Mastroeni at d-mid, Klein/Olsen or maybe even Cobi out right, and probably Beasley on the left. Since I think Bruce would feel compelled to get Mathis on the field, I'd put Donovan at a-mid. Up top: McBride is in top form, and Mathis has to be on the field. McBride - Mathis Donovan Beasley Cobi Mastroeni Hejduk - Bocanegra - Berhalter - Cherundolo Freller/Kriedel I know people want to retire Cobi at this point, but his "recent" form (being the leader and arguably second-most-important player on the MLS Cup winners) has been as strong as anyone else's on this list.
If we had an important game today: -----------Friedel Sanneh--Pope-- Berhalter--Boca ------------Mastro ---Klein--------------DMB ------------JOB ----McBride-----Donovan
This line-up would be inhumane. Sanneh: recent surgery. Pope: apparently still hurt. JOB: have not played with first team for months.
Eddie Lewis? The guy is playing soccer at a high level and scoring and creating goals. I have watched high-lights of him on FSW and he looks great. He is a better crosser and more experienced than Beasley.
I'll play. I'll even use Bruce's favorite 442. And, I'm only going with healthy guys who've actually been on a field recently, so no Reyna, O'Brien, Pope, Sanneh, Wolf, etc... Come to think of it, if we had a qualifier right now, we'd be in somewhat of an injury crisis. One name that seems to be making a lot of noise right now is Berhalter. He seems to be a Bundesliga star these days, so I can't see him not getting a spot. Besides, some of our best performances in the last qualifying cycle were with him leading the back. He would push Boca out wide if Pope were healthy. I'm still not cinvinced by any of the other outside back experiments. Midfield's a mess without Reyna and/or O'Brien, so Landon's gonna have to fill the hole in the middle. On second thought, Clint's just gonna have to do the running, get his ass in shape ASAP and he gets the midfield so Donovan and McBride can run up front. It all looks like this... ..........Donovan McBride ....Beasley Pablo Clint Stewart Frankie Berhalter Boca Cherundolo .................Freidel Bench: Convey Cunningham Olsen Califf Keller Klien Moore A couple years down the road, or with a healthy squad, things look very different. But, if I had to win a game, and was playing our usual 442 to keep guys comfy, this is the group I'd go with and I really doubt Bruce would do much different, unless he just wanted to weed out guys like Moore and Stewart who won't likely be around for much longer.