Official Team USA Soccer Thread

[PANDEMONEUM]

^
thats exactly what we are trying to do in the 4-1-2-3
we want to use the FBs in the attack and provide width
but, when we cant posses enough
or when we face a good attack
our FBs are busy, and cant move up.
because our offense is not a goal scoring offense
it hurts when we cant get the FBs involved and used as width
at the same time, wer shaky on D
so when/if the FBs move up, it weakens the D even more

chandler played like poop in his 1st game
we have cameron at CB, but he doesnt play there for stoke
omar was aight, but hes new
Fabian was non-existent, but imo, is a lock at Left FB for the next 10 years

[and1GS]

Based on current form I'd say Eddie Johnson is our best winger, with Fabian right behind him. With that said, we don't have enough good CBs to run a 3 CB defense. Cameron really struggled in our last match, which was odd, but unless we play Edu at centre half (which is an adventure in itself) we're stuck with Gonzalez, Cameron and Boca (assuming healthy). I don't feel comfortable with that, especially since Fabian is actually an exemplary defender from what I've seen.

As for Chandler, he should hit the bench out of principle. Worst defensive performance I've seen since the Eddie Pope days. I don't really think we have anyone to back him up though so he probably stays.

I like the concept of putting Jozy as a lone striker and having Clint back him up at CF, but I agree with a few posts above me that we should by no means use a CAM. No point in forcing Bradley, Kljestan or Zusi into that role, they're not world cup caliber CAMs. Donovan is coming back so him and Eddie on the outsides is pretty strong, though I'd honestly prefer to see more of Brek who has looked downright dominant in his short stretches of gametime.

Tracking back a bit, you hit the nail on the head with Jozy and I've been saying the same for about a year - guys need to feed him the ball, you game plan around/with Jozy in mind. He's not Tevez or Rooney so you won't see him dipping into the midfield to get the ball, but boy can he hold up the ball with that frame. Get him the ball and he can either go himself or hold up play and distribute it to a streaking player (this really should be one of our wing backs more often than it has been).

[and1GS]

Sorry for the double post, but what do you think of Jurgen's strategy to use our wing backs as integrally in the attack? Personally I think it's a necessity in modern football, but our wingers have been so **** (or gassed...EJ was done in 60 minutes last time out) that it results in our wing backs not advancing, and a stagnant offense.

Are we putting too much pressure on our wing backs to create up the field? Or just enough?

EDIT

PANDE you nailed it, Cameron is an outside back for Stoke (where he has KILLED it). He was a CB in MLS I believe, but I'd rather see him outside with Chandler on the bench after he **** the bed.

[PANDEMONEUM]

problem is, we dont have another CB
Besler is next in line
Cherundolo would start if he wasnt injured
but hes getting older, and we dont know when he'll do a Boca and just fall off

idk how Cameron is in the attack as a FB
havent followed enough Stoke games
the only thing id expect from him is decent possession, positioning and crossing

jozy, is just screwed
we dont have a CAM, or anyone with good service
his best scenario is to b paired up top with demp, and dono
ive seen some good things with alt and shea also

unfortunately,
our tactics have to change for the opponent and outcome desired
right now, for WC qualifying, we need wins
wer "supposedly" the dominant team, so we should b able to possess and attack and win

when we get to the WC, things change, opponents get better
depending on our group and results of matches
getting a draw and not losing, can b very important

[and1GS]

Tim Howard broke some bones in his back and is likely out for our next match...Guzan steps in. As an EPL follower and former Villa fan I can say this about Brad - he's fine. Obviously a step down, and he takes more risks than Howard, but his overall impact is above average.

[edfmx86]

damn, that mean El fantasma del Estadio Azteca will be a no show. I would love to see Rimando there, seems like Klinnsman likes him a lot.

[BUCKnation]

Tim Howard broke some bones in his back and is likely out for our next match...Guzan steps in. As an EPL follower and former Villa fan I can say this about Brad - he's fine. Obviously a step down, and he takes more risks than Howard, but his overall impact is above average.

Damn, that is huuuge.

[magik9113]

i have no confidence that USA can pick up a result vs Costa Rica/Mexico

[fatlever]

time to get nervous about injuries. they are piling up. howard, boca, dempsey, fabian, castillo, cameron and dolo are all current out with injuries... and of course donovan still on vacation. we might need to use chandler at left back in the next round, with probably parkhurst at right back, unless we get some people healthy quick.

[PANDEMONEUM]

Dempsey expected to play in the next match
says injury is minor and is expecting to play vs CR

Friedel, offered to come out of usa soccer retirement, to play keeper
he is playing very well right now

Guzan, is getting lots of practice blocking shots with A.V.

boca, dolo, castillo, howard are all OUT for sure

dont know about Fab and Cam. i thought they were good to go

[jerrod]

i'm totally comfortable with guzan.

[fatlever]

guzan is still a starting EPL keeper which is more than most concacaf countries can claim. no worries with guzan.

i think i read that JK was expecting fabian to be OK and dempsey is supposed to play this week vs inter.

[edfmx86]

Rio Tinto stadium confirmed as July 18th host to Honduras! I'm pretty excited.

[fatlever]

brutal squad at the back for the US for the next two games

GOALKEEPERS- Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando, Sean Johnson.

DEFENDERS- Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Tony Beltran, Justin Morrow, Clarence Goodson, Matt Besler.

MIDFIELDERS- Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Maurice Edu, Graham Zusi, Brek Shea, Joe Corona, Sacha Kljestan, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman.

FORWARDS- Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson, Terrence Boyd.

i think i read the 6 defenders have a combined 12 caps between them.

we could see a backline of beasley, edu, gonzalez, cameron. on the positive side, on paper, our attack is solid and perhaps this thin backline will force JK to use a more offensive gameplan, especially vs CR.

[and1GS]

Ya, it really does not look good and there is a very real chance that we don't even qualify for the World Cup. I have no idea who Beltran, Morrow or Besler are in the back. With that said, I would like to see Cameron on the outside rather than playing center back. He's better at it and after seeing Chandler get smoked against Honduras, it's obvious we at the very least need good defense on the stronger side back line.

I hope Beasley doesn't play fullback. He's a pu*** and won't risk injury for a tackle. Unless you pair him with Danny Williams, who is injured, on the outside he'd fail as a wing back.

Edu-Cameron makes all kinds of sense though. I'm hoping for something like...

Guzan
Cameron-Omar-Ed-Morrow I guess
Jones-Bradley
Dempsey-Zusi or Kljestan-Eddie
Altidore

That at the very least puts guys in a position to succeed. Dempsey would have little defensive responsibility and Zusi/Kljestan thrive/are only successful in a central role. As for Bradley, this puts him in a position where he can crush it defensively, and every nice pass he makes will just be gravy rather than making incisive passing the expectation for his position. However, he's so good we might have to slide him to CAM, take out Zusi and throw Shea out wide.

With all that said, I am almost 100% certain Klinnsman will do next to nothing I just suggested. Jozy will probably go to the bench, Brek won't see the field and Cameron will play CB with Zusi or Sacha out wide. All huge mistakes.

[jerrod]

it's not encouraging but i still think we can beat cr and i don't think we're counting on bringing any points back from mexico city.

what do you guys think about the idea i saw on another site of just calling up the la galaxy backline and hoping their familiarity overcomes the lower talent level? i was intrigued by that. like when some people wanted to just the champion pistons starting five to the olympics or wbc one year.

[and1GS]

No because Cameron is too good to bench. Unless we want to do some sort of 4-1-2-1-2 with Cameron at wing mid.

[GS Warriors 1]

With those call-ups, seems to be a lock that Cameron will be the RB. F. Johnson isn't ready yet from injury, so Morrow it is. As a Quakes fan who has seen him plenty, he's good at that level and has worked hard to make himself into a key player but the jury is definitely out on whether or not he's NT material. I guess we'll find out these next 2 games. Unless of course, he uses Beasley as the LB...

[jerrod]

i'm a bit concerned about that too. i want beasley to get some time but not at lb

[and1GS]

Beas can be kinda useful in his advanced age, as he's still fast. But he's a pussy and still crumbles under pressure...not exactly what you'd want from an attacking wing back,