OT: USA vs Panama Gold Cup Semi Final Open Thread

Submitted by Fhshockey112002 on

The US Men's National Team is in action again tonight.

Semi Final at Houston's Reliant Stadium Kick off at 7:00 (Fox Soccer Channel)

The USA faces Panama whom they lost to during group play.  Reports are that Donovan will be back in the starting lineup for Bodoya, while Juan Agudelo will start in place of Altidore (who is out 4-6 weeks).  

Edit: Lineups Announced 

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

Cherundolo - - - Goodson - - Bocanegra - - - Lichaj

Bradley - - - - - Jones - - - - - Bedoya?? - - - Kljestan

- - - - - - - - Dempsey - - - - -  Agudelo - - - - - - - - - - 

Guess I don't get why Donovan is not starting again??? 

ken725

June 22nd, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^

Donovan might not have fully recovered from the illness he had earlier.  In that past two games he wasn't really playing like his usual self.

ken725

June 22nd, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^

I'm not sure if we will be in a true 4-4-2 setup.  I think we might start off in a 4-5-1 which will probably morph into a 4-4-1-1 with Dempsey taking a more advnace position in front of the midfield(like how he plays at Fulham). 

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 6:49 PM ^

But the lineup will bear the same 4-2-3-1 shape that it did against Jamaica as opposed to the traditional 4-4-2.

 

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

Cherundolo---Goodson---Bocanegra---Lichaj

---------------Bradley--------Jones-----------------

-----Bedoya-------Klejstan-------Dempsey------

---------------------Agudelo--------------------------

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^

Last game was understandable because he missed training and got back from his sister's wedding early in the morning of the game.  Not starting him today is saying that the reason he isn't playing is because of his current form and not any surrounding circumstances.  I do think it was a good decision by Bradley, but it is shocking.

ken725

June 22nd, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^

Anyone have a link to a stream of the game.  I have no idea how I was able to find a stream of the u-17 World Cup match earlier today(US lost 2-1 to Uzbekitan), but can't find a stream of this one.

GoBlueBrooklyn

June 22nd, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^

That swings into a 4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1. Tactics that won against Jamaica get the nod again. Bradley learning as he goes.... Still deficient, but at least the correct call with this personnel; Boca as a CB and Lichaj in is a step in the right direction... Hope we pull it off!

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^

He was a shock exclusion from the intial roster and only made it after Feilhaber went down with injury.  Rogers and Adu over Bedoya initially was asinine.  Bedoya's been having a great season so far in Sweden and really deserves to be much higher in the US pecking order.  Holden and Feilhaber (in form) may still be better, but Bedoya really is playing like he deserves to start for the stars and stripes.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^

Mix would be a much better choice in the midfield, but I would've liked to see 4 forwards rather than so many Mids.  Buddle, Bunbury, and Davies were all available and with the current injury to Jozy (out for this game and the final) and Wondo's unimpressive start, it would be really nice to have another option after Agudelo.

ken725

June 22nd, 2011 at 7:55 PM ^

I never understood the inclusion of Wondolowski over guys like Buddle or Davies who have international experience and chemistry with the other players.  One of the many mysteries of how BB picks his players. 

Musket Rebellion

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^

Davies was banged up around the time that Bradley had to pick the squad. Buddle proved his worth (little to none) in the WC and Wondolowski was the leading scorer in MLS last season and theoretically earned a call up. Trust me, I'm not a Bradley supporter at all, but he was a little handcuffed in his selection. 

SteveInPhilly

June 22nd, 2011 at 7:55 PM ^

It's an unfortunate fact of the game today that a defender in his own box can push and shove, while a forward will get called for the slightest contact, but geez, this ref is really taking that to a new level.

hockeyguy9125

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^

I am watching a Spanish broadcast... I am happy for the most part with the US in the first half...but I would prefer more quality chances. However, they are playing so much better than the first game against Panama.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^

Donovan in for Klejstan, will sit right under the forward.  LD has played almost exclusively on the wing for the US, so it will be interesting to see how he does playing so close to Dempsey.  Bedoya will for sure stay wide, but LD and Dempsey could be running over each other a lot.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^

This game has become extremely bunkered down with both teams playing rather reserved and not wanting to open themselves up for giving up a goal.  Expect both teams to cut loose with about 20 minutes left.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^

Bradley wants more creativity on the field.  He figures Adu is unknown to the Panamaniacs and posses the creativity to open this game up.  Expect Adu to play under the forward and LD to slide out to the Right wing.

ken725

June 22nd, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^

I always hoped that Freddy would get another chance. He was largely mishandled by being sent too quickly to Europe. He has so much creativity and vision in the midfield. He has really been proving himself in the Turkish 2nd division.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^

Expect Dempsey to move up top.  No true forwards on the field, but with the way this game is being played, there isn't a lot of space for a true forward to operate up there, real interesting line up.

Genzilla

June 22nd, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^

Bad work from the back line to give up an almost goal, M Bradley is doing a great job of getting back after he gets out of postion.  Shouldn't be caught that high up to start with, hustling back to slow attacks, but his bad positioning is making things interesting.