Soccer- USMNT vs Jamaica, WC Qualifier

Submitted by swan flu on

Very important away match vs Jamaica tonight for the US Mens team.  Donovan and Bradley are out with injuries, so some others may have to pick up the slack.

 

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos)

My ideal lineup for tonight:

-----------------Howard------------------

Dolo--Cameron--Bocanegra-Johnson

------------------Jones----------------------

--Jose Torres--------------------Shea----

-----------------Dempsey------------------

-------Boyd------------------Altidore-------

 

But I can almost garuntee that we put two holding mids on to start the game (probably Beckerman) in place of Shea.

Needs

September 7th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^

The injuries to Donovan and Bradley put Klinnsman in a tough spot, especially Bradley, who's by far the US's best 2-way midfielder.

Because of his transfer saga, Dempsey hasn't played a competitive match or trained with his club in 3 months. But he's the US's best player. Do you throw him out there and risk the rust and match fitness? I kind of doubt it, I'll bet he's a 25 minute sub.

The less than ideal conditions on the pitch and the ruggedness of Jamaica's midfield make this a tough game for Torres as well, whose game relies on close control and the ability to play one and two touch passes. Will be tough with what's normally a pretty bad field. He also hasn't shown much lately and was subbed off after being simply bad against Mexico. 

Klinnsman loves Beckerman, I think he's almost a lock to start. I think you have the back line and forwards correct, but that lineup has three MFs who don't defend physically at all. I wouldn't be surprised to see a midfield of Jones and Beckerman holding, with Beckerman playing slightly deeper to shield the back 4, and then Williams and Shea playing on the wings, with Williams playing a little deeper to allow 'dolo to overlap (and b/c Williams is really a defensive midfielder anyway).

EDIT: somehow missed the last sentence in the OP. Think you're right, but wouldn't be surprised to see Shea start after his strong performance in the last game. But I'm not sure how he's been playing in MLS.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^

I agree with you that Jones and Beckerman will likely start with Danny Williams on the right... but I just hate to see us play that style... so I hope against hope.

 

I was very excited when Gatt got the call up because I knew that Lando was still hurt and I thought that this would be a great time for Gatt to debut.  Bummer he got hurt

 

 

Needs

September 7th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

I normally would agree entirely about the style complaint of going so defensive, but our history of playing down there shows that Jamaica will be flying into the tackles, won't get much called against them, and that the ball will be difficult to control on an uneven pitch. The way we lose this game is with someone getting caught in possession while trying to control the ball and then Jamaica roaring downfield with a 4-3/3-2. Given that, I'd prefer as much defensive cover as possible, particularly since we really only need to draw this game. Winning would be good but a loss would be super dangerous in the overall qualification. This, in my mind, is a safety first game.

dth

September 7th, 2012 at 10:43 AM ^

No Torres. Especially not out wide.

Would like (within what I think Klinsmann would take, i.e. some odd central midfield choices): Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Bocanegra, Cherundolo; Edu, Jones, Williams; Shea, Gomez, Dempsey

State Street

September 7th, 2012 at 12:12 PM ^

Boca sealed a last minute loan move to a 2nd division club in Spain.  That said he's one of Klinsmann's "chosen ones" so I will be surprised if he doesn't start.

Dempsey did and still does look ridiculous in this situation.  He's refuting it all with "I never refused to play but I won't say much else."  Huh?  Then what could have possibly happened?

maizenbluedevil

September 7th, 2012 at 11:01 AM ^

Most of the time soccer things like this are on ESPN3.com, I dunno if this one will be but they almost always are.

If that fails check out the usual stream sites like First Row, sportlemon, etc. 

IndyBlue90

September 7th, 2012 at 10:56 AM ^

Does anyone know if Goodson has been getting playing time with his club? I know Klinnsman has gone to him in the past for one of the central spots, and he has shown promise at times. I'm not really up to date on the current members of the USMNT.

dlcase1708

September 7th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^

In terms of lineup, I'm hoping to see Boyd and Altidore up top, with Shea playing on the left side, and hopefully playing high. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dempsey coming in as a super sub, with 30 or so minutes to go.  As long as we get a draw out there, we'll be ok. Just have to win the one on Tuesday.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^

I'm also stoked to see Netherlands vs Turkey.  We will see if the dutch had a hickup at the Euro or if they have legit problems, and I think Turkey is better than they get credit for.

MichiganTeacher

September 7th, 2012 at 12:20 PM ^

If I try really hard I can be ok with giving Torres another shot, but not in this game. He just hasn't delivered. For someone with his ball skills, he's not strong enough on the ball.  Every time he gets a touch I have flashbacks of Reyna vs Ghana in 2006.

Especially if Dempsey's not going to start, put in Shea and see what he can do. 

I'm totally fine with Beckerman and Jones clogging it up. A win would be nice but we can take a draw.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^

Shea is an 11 (Left winger) and Dempsey is an 8 or a 10 (attacking mid).  Klinsy may start Shea, but it wouldn't be at Dempsey's position.  As stated aboce, we'll probably run with a 4-4-2 without Dempsey.  Altidore and Boyd should be able to hold the ball up top and allow Shea and Danny Williams to get loose on the wings.

MichiganTeacher

September 7th, 2012 at 6:37 PM ^

I didn't say to start Shea at Dempsey's position (and Dempsey can play a couple different positions, actually). I'm just saying that Shea showed some offensive spark in Azteca, and without Clint in the lineup, we're going to be looking for that spark somewhere.

Zok

September 7th, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^

Gomez has a workrate that is unmatched at forward for us. You gotta play him, he also has a nack for just being dangerous. I think you sit Boyd and start Altidore and Gomez up top.

Boyd (Jozy) and Dempsey (Williams) sub in with 30mis left.

ChasingRabbits

September 7th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^

I also don't follow as closely as I would like...  But where has Tim Chandler been?  As far as I know he has not been cap'd in a game that would lock him into the US yet..  right?  Is he still in the future plans?  thanks.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^

He's being quite cryptic, saying he is happy to play for the US, but consistently turning down opportunities to play in games that would cap-tie him to the U.S.

 

Personally I think he is wanting and waiting for a Germany call-up while trying to keep the U.S. as a contingency plan. 

 

But I'm no longer concerned, I think Fabian Johnson is our best option at left back, and Edgar Castillo isn't a terrible option at right back once Dolo hangs up the cleats.

Michiganguy19

September 7th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

When he subs at like 70min he is the most dangerous (last two matches vs. Mexico)... he is fresh and likes to take defenders on the dribble... really attacking from the flank. Love that angle and think its his best contribution for the Nats. I dont see him as a regular 90min guy at this point in his career or this teams needs.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 7:28 PM ^

Starting XI: 1-Howard (capt.); 15-Parkhurst, 21-Goodson, 20-Cameron, 23-Johnson; 13-Jones, 5-Beckerman, 7-Edu, 8-Dempsey; 17-Altidore, 9-Gomez



4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Jones (left), Beckerman (holding), Edu (right), Dempsey (attacking)

Rickett88

September 7th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^

He may be tearing it up for PSV, but he hasn't done anything for the USMNT in the last 2+ years... I hope he can turn it around but I don't think he has had a touch this whole game, though it's not like the team in general is doing anything. 

kman23

September 7th, 2012 at 8:43 PM ^

He shouldn't have even been called up until now. It's not his fault the US had no ST options and had to call up a 20 year old before he was ready. He's asked to hold the ball up and provide for Dempsey and Donovan. He's not going to score a lot. He's not supposed to. It's not his fault that Dempsey doesn't have legs right now and that Donovan's out.

Rickett88

September 7th, 2012 at 8:50 PM ^

He's not even doing what you are asking him to do. He needs to get more agressive with his play and finding those gaps so that he can recieve a ball. I'm not asking him to be a superstar, but he needs to be way more agressive with his play and his work rate if he is going to be that  "target" forward that will distribute to the Dempsey/Donavans of the world. 

One way to get that "respect" from the defenders is to make them worried that you are going to go at goal once in a while to keep them honest and give you another half second with the ball. But to me, that is just work rate and effort, which I just dont see there from him yet. 

kman23

September 7th, 2012 at 9:16 PM ^

Klinsmann trying out new players doesn't help build a relationship for Altidore with his fellow forwards.

 

He and Boyd are going to give us two solid but not great striker options for Brazil. I'll be happy with that.

swan flu

September 7th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^

It seems like we've had the same problem for the past 3 years: Our best midfielders all play the same position and when they play at the same time they all get in each other's way and give the ball away too easily.  I'd like to see Danny Williams in to stay wide, and Dempsey to get a bit deeper.

kman23

September 7th, 2012 at 9:18 PM ^

Cameron generally plays better with a faster partner. Goodson and Cameron are both tall and slowish CBs (though Cameron is fast for his size) that dominate in the air. Against a fast, small team Goodson seems like a mismatch.

 

Edu or Boca playing next to Cameron makes more sense in my estimation.