Not impressed with Ghanas attack. Gooch, if healthy, Boca to Left. Spector for Dolo. Dolo's a warrior but two day turned around is too much . You will think I'm crazy but Findley and Buddle Starting.. Jozy is tired. Bring him in at 60. Findley plays good defense and will keep Ghana honest. Try to come out 00 and half andf make it a 65 minute game. This plays to out advantage. The game ends with Jozy and Gomez up top. Very dangerous for a tired Ghana defense. Mids stay the same. Expect Benny or Torres on the field at the end if it comes to PK's. Coach should be seeing who is making them at practice Friday.
...which is our poorest part of the formation. It is midfield that wins football games btw, and ours is one of the best in the tourney
I want Edu but I don't think he'll be fit to start on 3 days rest. He looked pretty tired by the 60th minute
I have a really hard time seeing people being too tired to play in a World Cup game. Sure it's great to rest people (Italy started an insanely high number of players in 06, not sure exact number), and depth certainly helps. However, we don't have that depth. If Jozy is too tired, then we have any 2 of Findley, Gomez, or Buddle. Not a great situation. Edu will be fine. If he can't play in three days then how would anyone who has played double the amount Mo has be able to play? He is one of the more rested players that is in the starting pool. He was also really important today. Was subbed out at a good time though. Hopefully Gooch is back. If not, then Spector for Bornstein (He makes me so nervous) Otherwise, keep it the same
Feilhaber for Gomez at half. Buddle for Edu later. It was a tense game, I can't blame you for forgetting specifics.
yes, the midfield that passes and passes and passes and oh groan. They are good, no doubt but the Swiss played the perfect counter attacking football against Spain. Allow them to do their customary 45 passes and just take the ball then the press forward
----------Altidore----Dempsey--------- Donovan--------------------------Holden -----------Bradley-----Edu------------- Bornstein------------------------Cherundolo ---------Bocanegra---DeMerit---------- ------------------Howard-------------- Ghana looks to be a very similiar team to Algeria in their playing style...so, i say keep the same backline, but get Holden in there.
yup. my bad. was watching the game again just now. what bothered me in the first half re: Edu was 37th minute he watches Matmour go right by him, then trots back toward goal. Doesn't sprint or hustle to try and pick someone up. Just trots. And I still can't believe Jozy missed that sitter by that much in the 36th minute. Still gotta stick with him vs. Ghana, but geez. I go with Onyewu Demerit Boca Cherundolo, midfield of Donovan Edu Bradley Beasley (yes, I know, but he's still good defensively tracking back and well rested, and I think he's still got something left) Dempsey Altidore up top, Buddle, Feilhaber, and Findley off the bench
Since Ghana is not Algeria and it is win or go home from here on out, if I could fill out the card; ----------Altidore----Buddle--------- Ghana is big and strong, so are these two Dempsey--------------------------Donovan Demps feeds off of Bornstein -----------Bradley-----Edu------------- Without a doubt Bornstein------------------------Cherundolo Bornstein compliments Dolo attacking ---------Bocanegra---DeMerit---------- Only if Gooch still can't go ------------------Howard-------------- Bring subs as required by the flow of the game. Dad has made some great subs (although Beasley didn't pan out) when forced to up the tempo. I hope it continues.
I like that you are considering the opponent (at least for the strikers). So many seem to not do that. Amazing how many players have seen the field for us in 3 games. Only ones who haven't IIRC: Guzan Hahneman Spector Goodson (my prediction for break out player. oops)
[LINEUP-4-4-2]Altidore,Gomez,Dempsey,Edu,Bradley,Donovan,Bornstein,Bocanegra,Demerit,Cherundolo,Howard[/LINEUP-4-4-2] Don't mess with success, although it only ended 1-0, this was the best played game by a US team since 2002 in my opinion. I thought the three changes were all very good, Bornstein brought some much needed speed in the backline, got forward some to help Dempsey, and was pretty solid defensively, he makes me nervous but he played a good game today and if he plays like that again is well worthy of starting. Also, Bornstein starting meant Bocanegra moving to the middle who I feel is the perfect compliment to Demerit, Demerit is physical, no-nonsense, and likes to attack the ball, Bocanegra has great positional sense and is a great reader of the game. Edu covered tons of ground and won a lot of balls in the midfield, and freed up Bradley, Donovan, and Dempsey to get forward more. Gomez was dangerous in the first half upfront and I would like to see im start again, his movement was excellent, finding space in the box, and opening up channels for teammates to run into, he created a couple chances and linked up well. Feilhaber again as the first sub option for attack since it has worked so well, and also Buddle if we need a goal. If we are defending a lead, possibly bring on Holden or Clark.
Couple questions i have, and only Bob can answer 1) Edu v Clark??? ---What's the fitness level of Edu now. is he ready to go another full 90? if so, i'd start him. if i was unsure, i'd go with Clark 2) Bornstein v Onyewu v Spector ---Why was Onyewu dropped? 3) Who do you put back up top? Findley? Buddle? Gomez? push Dempsey up top and move Holden to AM? 4) Why hasn't holden seen any PT yet? with all that in mind, my choice: ---------------Altidore----Buddle----------------- Donovan---------------------------------Dempsey -----------------Clark-----Bradley---------------- Bornstein---------------------------------Cherundolo ---------------Bocanegra---DeMerit--------------- -----------------------Howard-------------------- Potential Subs: Holden (definately for Buddle/Altidore, push Dempsey up top) Feilhaber (Clark if we need more control in the center at the half) Edu (Clark if he's getting abused or if Clark/Bradley get tired) Gomez (Altidore/Buddle later if needed) Spector (any defender, if we're ahead or if Bornstein starts to get abused) Goodson (DeMerit; only if we're up by 2 or 3 goals and have an extra sub left) Beasley (for Bornstein if we need a goal) *i'd sub in Holden regardless of strategy around the 70th minute. *I'd only sub in Feilhaber, if Clark had a horrible first half. *If we are up by 2 or 3 goals by the 75th minute and have subs left...i'd put in Spector and Goodson to protect DeMerit and Dolo from suspension. *After the first sub of Holden, i'd look at our situation for the other subs. If it's tied going into the 80th minute, i'd look at who's the most exhausted and try to get in the most fresh legs for overtime. I'd probably sub in Beasley for Bornstein and then Feilhaber for Clark.
Altidore-Gomez Dempsey-Edu-Bradley-Donovan(C) Boca-Onyewu-Demerit-Dolo Dempsey Vs Paintsil Fulham Vs Fulham Awesome
Bring back a classic time-tested American formation: the 3-6-1. ---------------Howard--------------- ---DeMerit---Onyewu---Bocanegra--- Cherundolo---Edu---Bradley---Beasley --------Donovan----Dempsey-------- ---------------Altidore---------------
What I'd do: ------------Howard------------- --Dolo--Gooch--DeMerit--Boca-- -------Bradley----Edu---------- ---Donovan--------Dempsey---- -------Altidore---Buddle-------- I think Bob will start Findley, though.