http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/01/who-would-you-l.html#more Ives Galarcep has left Benny Feilhaber out of his starting 11 and his bench that he would put forth if brought in to substitute for Bob Bradley in the case of injury. If this were to play out, it would omit having the Mexico killer from even the bench. Bradley has brought in Feilhaber even when not playing for Derby recently. Does anyone else think Feilhaber won't be brought in for this match? And does Edu's performance against Sweden really put him ahead of Feilhaber in the pecking order, or Clark for that matter? So, I guess we could use this article to discuss Bradley's faith in Feilhaber, right or wrong, wheter we think it will continue, whether it should or not, etc. Also, we could talk about center midfield pairings: who deserves to play on current form, and who we see as midfield pairing for the future. Or you could just criticize Ives lineup. But Ives is usually close to the money. I'll continue looking to him as a main source of info.
Here's Ives roster so people don't have to click on the link: -----------Altidore-------Dempsey----------- Convey---------------------------------Donovan -------------Bradley------Edu------------------ Spector--------------------------------Cherundolo ------------Onyewu------Bocanegra------------ -------------------Howard----------------------- BENCH: Hahnemann, E. Robinson, Parkhurst, Bornstein, Clark, Kljestan, Adu Personally I think he's dead on about the midfield. Bradley is tearing it up right now and is an automatic starter. It's barely arguable at this point. Anybody who wants to bring up the nepotism arguments continues to demonstrate their foolishness to us all. And Edu will work nicely next to him. Fielhaber right now is behind a bunch of people, but I still think he'll get called up over somebody like Kljestan. The only change that's possible is if Bradley decides to start Adu. Then I'd move Dempsey to wide right, Donovan to wide left, and Convey to the wide bench. Bocanegra has (let's be honest) blown recently for Fulham, and I'd be tempted to try out the pairing of Gooch and Parkhurst. But if Ives lineup is the one we go with, then I'm fine with that.
That's a perfectly reasonable lineup. One doesn't have to claim nepotism to argue that MB isn't one of the top two central mids, though for this game he should get the nod.
In all truth Benny doesn't deserve a call up. Though he's promising (among are more promising mids) he has not deserved a call up or start as he has not played a meaningful match since...Brazil? That being said he'll get a call up and probally a few minutes as a sub. All coaches like their regulars and "their" guys. And Benny is one of BB's guys.
You're inviting the wrath of #1 Adu and Feilhaber Can't wait to see his response. I don't see how Benny can make the bench at this point. Man...I hope things turn around for him. I'd be really surprised if Ives is right (now that I think about it, he's not predicting Bradley's decision) about Altidore starting. I'd be happy about it, but really surprised. Not that it'll happen, but I agree that Bradley should start tinkering with the CB pairings a bit more and not rely so much on Boca/Gooch. They both have deficiencies which is fine, but neither is quick enough to move over to help the other out. I'd like to see either paired with Parkhurst or maybe Spector. Has Spector ever played that much in the center? Overall, I really like that lineup though.
a. bradley SHOULD start Freddy. b. Wide bench has proven time and again to be Bobby's best position with the nats.
Well, for this game he's the top central mid. Clark, Edu, etc. are out of season, and he's better than the other Euro-based mids (unless you want to put Adu in the center of midfield which would be a very aggresive move for Bob)..
lol well to be honest to Benny; when Jewell stuck Benny in for the 2 halves vs Liverpool and Blackburn he was one of thier top players in the midfield. So benny should easily still be with the nats; but given braldeys formation if Feilhaber was to be put at rightmid; out of position, then i would want Benny on the bench.
Bradley is gonna makes all BS'ers happy with this lineup. ---------------------Altidore------------------ Adu----------------Donovan-----------------Dempsey -------------Bradley------Edu------------------ Spector--------------------------------Cherundolo ------------Onyewu------Parkhurst------------ -------------------Howard----------------------- Adu/Donovan/Dempsey are interchangeable and free to roam up top supporting Altidore.
i like that except maybe swap ricardo clark for mo edu. i like the idea of donovan, adu, and dempsey interchanging
Getting Adu and Landon on the same sheet of music will be the key to the 2010 World Cup, and Bradley should be playing them together as often as possible so they can build that relationship. After that, pick your two most in-form strikers, pick two of Edu, Clark, and Bradley, and everyone else is a role player IMO. Dempsey, Beasley, and Convey are all inter-changable, Rogers and Zizzo won't be ready I think, Feilhaber and Kljiestaans are a step below right now, while Alvarez and Holden might be wild-cards because of the skill they bring.
Two thoughts; One, maybe Benny didn't want to come over for a relatively meaningless friendly while he is battling for playing time and exploring his options in Europe. Two, maybe his team didn't recommend that he leave at this time. In other words, this might not be a Bradley call.
true. but at the same time, if bradley does want to call him, perhaps benny might want to play so that 1) he can get a game in, and 2) "reclaim" his starting position. it is an official FIFA international date, but i wouldn't imagine there are too many internationals that would be leaving derby.
I am not ready to put an axe into Benny. Benny made a bad transfer move to a bad team with a bad manager. For some reason his manager did not like his style of play thus never giving him any playing time. Well, the board at Derby did not like the managers style either so they fired him. Benny has shown good skill and great promise with the Nats. I would like for him to be called up for Mexico game, used as a sub or just to ride the bench. A call up by BB might give Benny the confidence lift he needs to suceed at his next club. It would have been nice to see him at the Jan. camp and play some time vs. Sweden.
i agree that i'm not ready to cut benny off entirely. but at this point, i think there are other alternatives to him. especially if bradley's going to try and play him on the right again. but i don't think he could have played against sweden anyways since derby wouldn't have been required to release him.
All this just goes to show how deep we are at midfield. When DMB gets back who do you axe? I like the idea of pairing Altidore and Dempsey. -Great set up targets with speedy Donovan and Adu lurking.
I know that Derby didn't have to release him, but why wouldn't they? He has not made their roster in 08. It could have help them sell Benny though. I definetly think that he should not be a starter right now, but should be kept on the roster.
I am not sure we will see Bornstein there as he may not be back from injury yet. Also, Edu starting would honestly surprise me. For a Mexico game, as much as I think Edu deserves it, I think as an inexperienced player Bradley will not put him in against Mexico. I think Rico Clark may be more likely to get the nod. I also don't think he would start Freddy. He seems to conservative for this move. I am actually afraid Altidore won't even get the start, as much as he deserves it with how dangerous he looked against Sweeden.
I like it for the most part, howver I'd probaly go with -------------Altidore---------Dempsey----- --------------------Donovan--------------- --------Convey----------------------Adu--- --------------------Bradley----------------- Spector---------------------------Cherundolo -------Bocanegra---------Parkhurst----------- -----------------Howard---------------------- The US seriously needs a spark on offense, I think having Adu, Altidore, Donovan and Dempsey with Convey's crossing complimenting them gives us the spark we need. Gooch seems to react a little to slow when going up against the better competition and aside from shutting down Borgetti a few years back I haven't really seen much that warrants keeping him in.
No way Benny should be on the roster, and no way should Adu start until he starts getting meaningful minutes for Benfica.