USMNT vs Costa Rica
Game #2 for the USMNT in Group A.
Time: 8pm ET
Where: Soldier Field
TV: FS1, Univision (Streaming Fox Sports Go & Univision Deportes en vivo)
USMNT Lineup (no changes from Colombia match)
Guzan, Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson, Jones, Bradley, Bedoya, Zardes, Dempsey, Wood
Editorial comment:
I am surprised there are no changes. I thought at least Nagbe would start and even Beckerman for Jones to allow Bradley to go forward more.
Eh, honestly, we've been constantly complaining about the lack of consistency during the Klinsmann years. I'm fine with giving it another go, let the players get familiar with the formation and positioning/movement. Preferably, they spent the last year of friendlies refining this and can tweak in the tourney depending on opponent, but alas...
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That's fair. I'm not disappointed necessarily but I am surprised
Would've really liked to see Castillo come in at LB (yes I know he isn't great) so we could push Fabian up on the wing.
Maybe toss Nagbe in the middle with Jones and Bradley and push Bedoya out to the other wing and scarifice Dempsey in the middle so that Wood could play at his more natural position.
Have Dempsey come in around the 65th minute and give us something off the bench instead of running around up top with hardly any service all game.
Whatever.
Edit: so it would look like
Guzan
Yedlin--Cameron--Brooks--Castillo
Jones----Bradley
Nagbe
Bedoya Johnson
Wood
Just imagine Jones and Bradley kind of staggered a little more.
Agree with having Dempsey come off the bench. Can't really get behind the Castillo thing.
I don't trust Castillo either if even I would prefer Johnson at LM. Obviously JK doesn't either.
I'd have rather they played 4-4-2 diamond with Deuce and Wood on top.
Agree. If Deuce is going to start he isn't effective playing alone. Wood make great runs and would complement Deuce.
Playing a 4-4-2 also likely negates the need for Zardes to start since you can play Bedoya in the MF.
If Jozy were healthy that would be the lineup. I don't understand why JK doesn't trust Wood up there with Dempsey, I think they compliment themselves well, as you said
I thank him for his service. He's a fine, fine American.
But I hope we've seen the last of Jozy.
There's no reason he should be exiled from the team. He's got 30+ international goals. That's not an accident. An argument can be made that he shouldn't be a focal point of our attack, but he most certainly should still be involved if healthy and playing well.
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This is silly. Jozy is far from perfect but still the best we have as a hold up forward
I hope not. I just hope Jozy can stay healthy. A healthy in form Jozy is still the best striker the US has. It's the consistency that's an issue for him.
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I think people forget that Jozy is still only 26. We get excited about the "potential" of guys like Zardes and Nagbe but say we are done with Altidore even though they are about the same age. It's silly.
Wonder if they even asked Beasly if he'd play. I haven't kept up to see if he's playing well in Houston, but he would have been an interesting option.
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Here's the CR Lineup (Navas is hurt and Waston is suspended)
Costa Rica lineup: Pemberton; Matarrita, Duarte, Acosta, Calvo, Gamboa; Ruiz, Borges, Bolanos, Campbell; Urena.
I know our defense will be different (and better), but how do you guys think it will be deployed vs Costa Rica? And what about our offense? Will it be more up tempo, more aggressive, or the same?
(asking for a jolly friend wearing Red and White)
I will be supporting the USA in this contest.
Other than my meltdown during an MSU game when RichRod was coach or after the Minnesota Hoke debacle, I usually do not call for the head of a coach. Tonight, though, Klinsmann should get fired immediately if we lose.
Best lineup we could field, sans Zusi
Per Steve Goff: “Fire Klinsmann” banner hanging in lower corner of Soldier Field #USAvCRC
Want to start a Bachelorette thread. #Chad
Didn't Costa Rica go to the final 8 in the WC a couple years ago? How are we going to beat them?
Also, I know little about soccer so be kind
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But he's hurt for this tournament.
Home cooking. It's a huge factor in international soccer.
Zardes needs to try to do the opposite first touch of what we really want - that may be the ticket.
Horrible clearence/cross from Yedlin there, amateur league kind of ugly
Penalty for USA!!!!!!!!!!!! Dude pushed down Wood.
Deuce converts - USA 1 - 0 CRC 9'
That's a way to change the momentum!
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Goallllll!
Pulling for OU. SEC sucks.e
Bobby Wood is not having a good night.
Bobby Wood, in his defense, is not a winger
Fair enough. I'd be willing to criticize more players if they they then end up scoring.
He didn't score as a winger...he scored when he was inside and they switched to a 4-4-2, so your point is still valid.
In reality Wood should be playing Dempsey's role and Dempsey should be coming off the bench in the Abby Wamback role. But how can you really complain after they play the best game they've been in a looooong time and both Dempsey and Wood get goals/create chances.
almost kicked it straight out of bounds
Keep it out wide and we'll be fine, it appears.
Dammit Zardes - good first touch but piss-poor shot (great pass by Deuce)
Got to hit those shots! COME ON!
Ugh that needs to be a goal. Or at least on frame
FUCK YEAH - THE HESSIAN great goal
Thank you JONES!
That ball went in the goal like it had eyes.
perfectly shot - nice work
Dempsey is tearing the Ticos apart! GO USA!!!
Bobby Wood: Forward. Better!
GOL GOL GOL GOL - Bobby Wood. Dempsey is playing out of his fucking mind.
SWEEEET!
the US has played since the 2nd half of the Holland game last summer. And that was a friendly.