OT: International Friendly: USMNT at Bosnia-Herzegovina

Submitted by The Barwis Effect on

In case anyone wants to discuss it, the USMNT is playing against 13th-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina on ESPN2 right now.  Bosnia leads 2-0 in the 40th minute.  US still looking for their first shot on goal.

Needs

August 14th, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^

Some decent stuff by the US in the first half, particularly Altidore. They're unlucky to be down 2 (the second goal was offside).

But horrible half for Jones and, to a lesser extent, Eddie Johnson. You can't turn it over deep in your half.

snarling wolverine

August 14th, 2013 at 4:00 PM ^

It's nostalgia night in international soccer: England-Scotland (first international game) and France-Belgium (first international game for both teams) . . . so why are we playing Bosnia?  Our first opponent was Sweden.

alum96

August 14th, 2013 at 11:27 PM ^

I was very impressed with him as well - Icelandic power!  If he can continue this he will make up for Stuart Holden loss.  Excellent 2nd half to beat another European team on their home turf and Bosnia is no pushover - they are tops in their table to make it WC, albeit a weak group with only Greece as a challenger.  But still, we don't usually do well in Europe.  Bradley also made some fantastic passes and IMO is the best American player at the moment.... by a substantial margin.

Drunk Uncle

August 15th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^

Trying to think of a top 11 for this team makes my brain hurt. If you can find a way to get Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Jozy, Fabian Johnson and Aron on field at the same time, that's a skilled strike force:

*****Jozy*****Aron*****

********Dempsey*******

FJ***Bradley***Donovan

Besler**Gonzo**Brooks**Dolo/Boca

********Howard***********

Shea and EJ as late subs.

Jones or Evans and defensive midfielders when Aron is off.

 

alum96

August 15th, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^

Having a top end left fullback is wonderful - would not move Fabian out of there.  A lot of FBs make a ton of overlapping runs so we can get his offense as well as keep the defense level upgraded.  Defense is the major hole in this team so we dont want to move a skilled defender to areas of relative strength.  The center defenders are a big mystery, we've been trying a lot of players. There was a really young kid in the center in the 2nd half of Bosnian game who is German-American, maybe he develops in the next year.   Also I've never seen the US play a 4-3-1-2 ... I'd be thrilled with a 4-4-2...

los barcos

August 15th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^

about 25 minutes of aron in a US uniform, so i think it is very premature to slot him in the top 11...right now.  (same with john brooks)

klinsmann loves him some Jermaine Jones (not sure why), so i think he's in there starting, for now.

id be dissapointed if shea and EJ see meaningful time, especially shea - the guy looks like an ostrich out there.

i think beasley is in the mix, but it's hard to say what he's going to look like in 10 months.  bedoya, zusi, and corona will get some play too.