US vs. Argentina/Venezuela....what's the lineup?

I think we see Besler again with Fabian ahead of him. Nagbe for Jones in the free role and Zusi for Bedoya. Move Zardes up top as the speed guy.

 

The lineup is GO VENEZUELA!!!!!

 

I think you play Besler on the left, Yedlin on the right, Johnson into the midfield. I fear it will be Bradley, Beckerman and Zusi for the rest of the midfield. I would start Nagbe. Or maybe I start Pulisic up top with Clint, and drop Zardes into the midfield.

 

Yes, let the speculation begin!

mfw13, those are pretty reasonable replacements.
The starting lineup continuity is now very much shot with Jones (did he even touch the guy's face?, not a veteran move though regardless), Wood and Bedoya out.

But if we go with a 4-3-3-ish (on paper at least), I would start Beckerman as the main DM, put in Nagbe for Bedoya and Pulisic for Wood on left wing, with Zardes moving to the right. Then Bradley would be moved forward a little to more of a 6/8, and Nagbe would be a staggered 8/10 in front of Bradley.

Some more thoughts...Beckerman is often described now as "not as athletic" (read "slow"). What about Kitchen? Naw, too big a game for him right now. Not sure he's much faster anyway. Anchor Beckerman in front of the backline with Bradley helping a lot (especially if against Argentina).

Zusi is in the mix, but I see him as more of a solid backup, late-game sub. I'd rather see Nagbe get a big shot here to do some AM magic for a whole game, a la his form with Portland in the latter part of last season.

I think mentally, Pulisic is up for a start in a huge game like this, even if against Argentina. Kid seems unusually grounded, centered and at 17 he's frankly kind of fearless. But that's not just from youthful naivete. Seems like he's got a mature head on his shoulders.

It might be reasonable to move up Fabian from LB into the midfield given our options for this semi, but who would go into the LB slot? Don't think we want to sacrifice defense at all in a game like this. Bunker a bit and go for the counter. I hate to say it but we're likely to have to cede the midfield a bit anyway (especially against Argentina). And who can do real damage in the next-to-last touch (or finish) in a counter? Shifty speedsters like Pulisic and Nagbe. I don't see how Juergen can't start at least one of them given the personnel shortages now.

So I say...
____Pulisic - Dempsey - Zardes
_______Nagbe Bradley
_________Beckerman
Johnson - Brooks - Cameron - Yedlin
__________Guzan

 

As long a Nagbe starts, every other position kind of sets itself. I kind of like FJ on the right. Yedlin/FJ right side anyone?????

If Wondo starts, Gulati should fire JK at halftime.

 

----------------Guzan
Yedlin----CAM--JAB-------Besler
-----------------Bradley
-----Zusi------------------------Johnson
-Zardes-----------------Nagbe
----------------Dempsey

 

Ideally? Yedlin back in on the right, push Johnson into the Midfield, Beckerman replaces Jones, Nagbe sits underneath as a withdrawn forward to replace Wood.

 

I'd switch Johnson and Nagbe, though. I want Johnson closer to goal and Nagbe kerping more possession.

 

Klinsmann's XI:

-------Dempsey----Zardes-------
---Johnson----------------Zusi---
------Bradley----Beckerman------
Besler--Brooks--Cameron--Yedlin
---------------Guzan---------------

If Klinsmann wants an unchanged backline, then Yedlin goes into the midfield instead and Zusi switches to the left.

Bradley will be the "#8", but if the opponent is Argentina then that will be a mere technicality, since Bradley and Beckerman will be dual "#6s"

 

Not to be too picky about this, but I believe the rule is two yellow cards in consecutive games are required to earn a suspension.

 

Obviously, there'd be a lot of overlap anyway in the midfield, so adjust it however you want.

 

Hell no! We need to play serious teams in competition. Venezuela would give us a run for our money, but I want to go toe to toe with Argentina.

Good read and logic, thanks!

If we are speculating:

4-4-2 seems to be working for us.
I think JK is going to like what he saw from Besler tonight. So why not bring Besler in LB move FabJo to LM.
Save Pulisic for Sub if we need goals (good chance that this will be the case).

So.....
--------------- Zardes
-------------------Dempsey
-------------Nagbe
--Bradley -------------------- FabJo
--------------- Rasta

-Besler--- Brooks--- Cameron--- Yedlin
--------------- Guzan

 

The cards reset after this round. If you get two cards in group or round of 8 then you are suspended for QF.

 

I'm going to have nightmares tonight about suggesting Beckerman as a lone Dmid against Argentina.

 

Let the kid play. We have nothing to lose.

--------------Dempsey-----Pulisic--------------
Nagbe-------Bradley----Beckerman---Zardes
Johnson------Brooks-----Cameron----Yedlin
----------------------Guzan-------------

 

I guess I set that up a little funny. I would like to see Brad on the leftish combining with Nagbe and dropping back to help Besler or Beckerman

 

Beckerman did what he could tonight, but even with fresh legs he was noticeably the slowest guy out there. It was pretty concerning even if I knew it beforehand. I don't see how you start him against Argentina.

 

I have a strong suspicion that you'll be correct in all three cases.

 

Semifinals or not, this is still one of those bones of contention for me, not looking seriously into options there...

 

Same, but 4-2-3-1:

-------------------Dempsey---------------------
------Pulisic--------Nagbe--------Zardes------
---------------Bradley----Beckerman----------
Johnson------Brooks-----Cameron----Yedlin
----------------------Guzan----------------------

Or we could get a little weird (we won't):

--------Dempsey---Pulisic/Zardes------
-------------Nagbe/Pulisic----------------
FJ------Bradley---Beckerman---Yedlin
-----Besler-----Brooks---Cameron------
------------------Guzan--------------------