Belgium vs. USA

[TX Bill]

Klinsmann is the right guy to reshape the program. But there's going to be a transition period with ugly results. I was not a Bradley hater, except when he insisted on continuing to play Ricardo Clark. I'll never understand that.

I got to watch Clark every weekend for three years and he is a very solid player. For whatever reason, it just didn't come off for him on the national team level. He had some good games and some poor games but I think he took more stick from USA supporters than he deserved. Kinda like Hibbert and Everton.

 

[Extratime]

I would play a 4-4-1-1 with Dempsey as the withdrawn striker. He likes to create, and that would put him in a position to create as well as score goals. He can get us goals. Jozy can't and to be honest Agudelo who looks like he weighs half as much as Altidore looked a better hold up player. I think it's time to rest Altidore and try something else. While we are at it let's drop Rogers as well.

 

[Hellerad]

Oh, how different things would look for US Soccer had Guissepi Rossi chosen Uncle Sam over Uncle Corleone.

-------------Howard--------------
Chandler-Goodson-Boca-Johnson
---------------Bradley--------------
Donovan-----Holden---------Shea
--------------Dempsey-------------
---------------Altidore--------------

Bradley sits deep, can get forward on the counterattack if Holden is out of position.
Holden sits in the middle of the field, distributing and breaking up passing lanes; sits deep when Bradley sees an opportunity to counter.
Dempsey/Donovan/Shea are all capable of overlapping and interchanging as the rhythm of the game changes, but Dempsey is more of a central attack wrecking ball and Shea and Donovan are both better at (A) covering for their respective fullbacks, and (B) playing with width.

Altidore is what we have to work with, for the time being. I'm still hopeful.

Established Sub Options:
(D) Lichaj, Onyewu, Pearce
(M) Edu, Jones, Beckerman
(F) Agudelo, Davies (if he ever recovers)

Should be tested going forward:
(D) John, Loyd, Franklin, Ream, Gonzales
(M) Diskerud, Gil, Adu, Gatt
(F) *crickets (Bunbury? Wood?)

Veterans to Phase Out by 2014:
(D) Cherundolo, Bocanegra

Anyone you think I've left off? Any new talent that excites you?

 

[The T-Dex]

He hasn't won has he the new US coach? Belgium are not a bad team.

Belgium may have a very good team in the near future. Hazard and Lukaku attacking, as well as good defensivce prospect in Vertonghen. I have dreams about Defour, Fellaini and Witsel in the same midfield.

 

[Kay20]

The other option is to play a 4-1-3-2. I know it doesn't sound very different, but having that diamond at midfield rather than a flat line I think helps us.

Dolo/Chandler - Boca - Goodson - Chander/Lichaj
Bradley/Edu/Beckerman
LD - Torres/Holden - Shea
Dempsey
Altidore/Agudelo

 

[Kay20]

Oh, how different things would look for US Soccer had Guissepi Rossi chosen Uncle Sam over Uncle Corleone.

-------------Howard--------------
Chandler-Goodson-Boca-Johnson
---------------Bradley--------------
Donovan-----Holden---------Shea
--------------Dempsey-------------
---------------Altidore--------------

Bradley sits deep, can get forward on the counterattack if Holden is out of position.
Holden sits in the middle of the field, distributing and breaking up passing lanes; sits deep when Bradley sees an opportunity to counter.
Dempsey/Donovan/Shea are all capable of overlapping and interchanging as the rhythm of the game changes, but Dempsey is more of a central attack wrecking ball and Shea and Donovan are both better at (A) covering for their respective fullbacks, and (B) playing with width.

Altidore is what we have to work with, for the time being. I'm still hopeful.

Established Sub Options:
(D) Lichaj, Onyewu, Pearce
(M) Edu, Jones, Beckerman
(F) Agudelo, Davies (if he ever recovers)

Should be tested going forward:
(D) John, Loyd, Franklin, Ream, Gonzales
(M) Diskerud, Gil, Adu, Gatt
(F) *crickets (Bunbury? Wood?)

Veterans to Phase Out by 2014:
(D) Cherundolo, Bocanegra

Anyone you think I've left off? Any new talent that excites you?

Bolded section = what I think might be likely too.

Curious to find out where Johnson can play.

As much as I love Sean Franklin, he's not good enough for this level. Will peak in MLS. Omar Gonzalez (and Brek Shea) on the other hand is looking like he's going to transcend MLS.

Sapong might be another choice at forward. Opara is apparently pretty good in MLS (don't know much about him).

Our LB situation is so bad I would consider taking Todd Dunivant back for a game or two during qualifying.

GK: Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, Brad Guzan (if he could EVER find playing time).