Yeah, they have the results in the Competitions section... http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/teamhome_custom.sps?iType=265&icustompageid=13280&mtype=8215 They have the following lineup: Keller Cherundolo Pope Bocanegra Ralston Zavagnin Convey (Hejduk, 72) Donovan - 2 Wolff (Noonan, 64) McBride (Capt.) - 1 Beasley (Dempsey, 86) This doesn't have positions, but I seem to recall Cherundolo holding down a spot in a 3-man backline...which is what influenced my lineup selection. I think Hejduk came on for Convey late in the game with a lead and it switched to a 4-man back line. Anyone else remember this? Which reminds me, if Hejduk were available, he most certainly be at left back...otherwise, a 3-man backline with two-way players on the wings is the best option.
That personnel would seem to lend itself to the following lineup: --------Keller Cher Pope Boca Convey --------Zavagnin Ralston ------------Beasley --------Donovan ------McBride Wolff This is particularly true since Arena has been using Convey at left back a lot recently. (Of course, he's also been using Beasley more centrally as well, so who knows.) Anyway, my guess is that it was a 4-4-2.
I seem to remember Beasley as a forward in this game... I think I'll download the game video and watch it...since now I'll go nuts until I remember for sure.
Ok I found the match report for espn soccernet... http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=334973&cc=5901 About halfway down... U.S. coach Bruce Arena switched formations, starting three forwards instead of two and three defenders instead of four. He did it partly to get his players into an attacking mind-set and partly because of injuries. Regardless of what happened before, I think Stevie C can handle it, especially with two-mids in front of him. Given the personell we have available, there aren't too many other options really...
Convey wasn't listed as a left back but he really was the left back. He just didn't stay back all that much. Pretty similar to the qualifier last Sept against El Salvador. Bease was allowed to roam free. That's Arena's 4-4-2 against a team that is going to try and bunker all game. Donovan scored early and CR had to try and score. Convey was forced to defend at that point.
The Jamaica team you guys will face have not had alot of time to practice together, hence the sometimes disorganization in defence and errant passes. Still, they seem to be coming along. The team the USA faces will be far stronger in defense and offense than the team the Mexicans faced. Also, this new coach has a much firmer grasp on his players, game management, strategy, and tactics than our previous Brasilian coach. It should be a must see game. Good luck to you...but not too much. Peace
The Jamaica team is motivated, dangerously fast on the dribble, nothing to lose, and will fight for the win. I predict a bunch of cards, injuries, and a qualifier-feel. I hope US can maintain possession with the physical and fast play of the Jamaicans. Bruce will play his fastest, most trustworthy, most rested bunch ... Beastie Eddy -- *Complete the SOCCER SURVEY* https://www.quickbase.com/db/baqwa3ay6?a=nwr
boy i'm just quaking in my boots...NOT Jamaica knows they are outmatched and if they win it's going to be an upset.
What, nobody told that to Cuba last week? The US team still has to show up, and their defense is weakened at the moment (Frankie out, Pope & Sanneh not 100%). I think Bruce's strategy will be more attack-oriented than any of the previous Gold Cup games, go for the early goals and then bunker down. There are more long-term questions on offense for the US, so I think that's where the focus on these next matches should be.
4-1, tough score, just squeaked by. I didn't say it would be "EASY" i said they know they are the underdogs, I am assuming that BA is going to try to win, that is give the A-team lineup
As he said. It was a 3.5-4.5-2. Convey was playing a wing-back role until Donovan scored when he moved back to almost an exclusive left back position. Beasley played "The Earnie" and wasn't particularly successful although it was his first game back from injury. But I digress: Keller Dolo Gooch Conrad Vanney Pablo Dempsey DMB JOB Donovan Quaranta
I say we ride KK as far as he'll take us. He'll have had over 80 hours rest since CRC, which wasn't the toughest challenge he's had to face.
keller dolo conrad gooch vanney mastroeni JOB donovan beasley wolff dempsey I can't see arena going three in the back against a side like jamaica who has all that team speed.... plus, usa needs to getting attacking speed out there unlike last wednesday
WorkLoad & Resting for Semis and Finals: Those who played Sat (Can) and Tues (CR) should not be playing at all - Just too many minutes in a short time - Those who played on only Tues (CR) should be able to do OK by Sat Semi Final is not until next Thurs so there is time for a rest - But the Final is only 3 days later - I know its one game at a time and we HAVE TO WIN I'd hope for a strong B+ or A- team - Sorta like against Cuba but with two more regulars - Seven to Eight Regulars (out of the top 13/14): Beasley - He should do well on the Outside since Jamainca typically lacks a disciplined Def and will forget about him - Then he'll score) Two to Three new players, incl Hahnemann: Quaranta; Some of the new players have already played two games and did well in the 2nd - Save these as Strategic Subs: Olsen Strategic Matchups: Jamaica is not necessarily skilled and disciplined anywhere on the field, but they can exert a physical presence and have some speed up top - Quaranta (and Noonan ?) should survive well against their Def - And Beasley should be forgotten by their outside Def
Beasley is a brilliant player (argueably the best American player) and should do well. However, this Jamaica team will be vastly more disciplined than the past teams - they will not forget Beasly or Donovan for a minute.
1. amen to your line-up. 2. I only read the first page worth of line-up guesses, but they left me wondering what some people are thinking. seriously, its knock-out phase time, we haven't dominated against weaker opponents, and posters are still thinking experimental line-ups? what gives big soccer people? quaranta? hahneman? noonan? (yeah I posted somewhere else that I thought he had a better looking future with the nats than twellman, but based off his gold cup play I rescind that)
Judging from Arena's comments: The midfield: Ralston, Mastroeni or Armas, O'Brien, Beasley. The defense: Cherundolo, Onyewu, Conrad (which of these CBs line up left?), Vanney (he didn't say anything really negative about him). That leaves, in front: Donovan and Wolff or Noonan (who often lines up on the left for the Revs). I get the feeling that O'Brien will be called upon more and more to be our No. 10. And, I fully expect that he will be our No. 10 in the August qualifier!
Bruce's use of Quaranta confused me - I really expected to see him against Costa Rica. Either the one game was so good he decided to save him for the knockout stage or so bad he lost interest. Or, more likely, his camp performance was very dramatic (one way or the other) and Bruce made up his mind. Perhaps he's got an unreported injury but that seems very unlikely.
Judging by today's note from US Soccer, there will be no Pope, Sanneh (THANK GOD!!) or Davis. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=200159&itype=113&icategoryid=75 Here's my best "final" guess: ------------------------------Keller-------------------------- Cherundolo--------Onyewu------------Conrad----------Vanney ----------------------------Mastroeni------------------------ --Ralston-------------------------------------------Beasley-- -------------------------------JOB--------------------------- -------------Donovan-------------------------Wolff----------- Subs: Dempsey, Olsen & Quaranta. I would rather see JOB at LM, Beasley at RM, Donovan at AM & Quaranta at F. I just think that Donovan is better suited to play at AM but with our lack of forwards, I can see Donovan at forward. It should be interesting to see JOB, Beasley & Donovan on the field at the same time. Hopefully, Wolff will do his part. Also, hopefully, Onyewu & Conrad can handle the speed & physical play of the Jamaican forwards.
how did you get that from the article? davis is the only one of those three that it says is probably unavailable. pope and sanneh might still play.
True enough!! Sorry about jumping the gun. Guess I just interpreted as what I WANTED to believe the article said. After re-reading the article, it would appear that Davis is definitely out & Pope is a BIG question mark. However, Sanneh might still play (God help us)!! I'm still hoping that Quaranta gets a shot, whether starting or as a sub, v Jamaica!!
Just can't see how it couldn't be Quaranta - unless Beas in gonna play on the right. Didn't Ralston play the last TWO matches???